General Framework of the Topical Project

Context

Successful resolution of the problem of the Chernobyl affected territories is possible only with the involvement of local inhabitants, and especially the youth. During the preparatory stage of the CORE Programme, local professionals and teachers expressed their willingness to participate in the development of the practical radiological culture. They also expressed the need for informational and methodological support. In this perspective, concerted activities of specialists and pedagogues on creating methodological supplies (practically oriented, reference, popular-scientific materials) and information materials are required, as well as organisation of training seminars and courses for local specialists. A definite demand of optimisation and improvement of informational and methodological supplies has been formulated during the Republican Seminar "Work with parents on promoting skills on healthy way of life and safe children activities in regions affected by the Chernobyl accident", Gomel, January 2004.

At present, certain experience has been gained in the field of educational and informational activities involving the population of contaminated territories, notably within the framework of national programmes for mitigation of consequences of the Chernobyl NPP accident, as well as international co-operation projects. Nevertheless, the relevance of such materials and acquired experience are limited to unrelated projects and local communities. This can be explained by both the lack of the integrated strategies for implementing radiological culture and the lack of experience in project co-ordination. Today, there is an actual need for capitalising on international and national experiences by studying and analysing the efficiency and outcomes of the work done in order to develop a single concept of radio-ecological education in Belarus. This will make the development of radiological culture a much steadier and more sustainable process, which would help create conditions for safe life on the contaminated territories, ensure continuous improvement, maintain and strengthen the public health.

Purpose of the TP

The overall purpose is to assist with informational and methodological facilitation of radio-ecological education of students and youth.

The tasks of the TP include:

• Capitalisation of international and national experience gained in the formation of practical radiological culture
• Development of the concept of sustained radiological education and upbringing of children and youth taking into account real social and economic conditions in the long-time perspective
• Information and methodical support to the process of radiological education and upbringing
• Creation of education and advisory centers of development of practical radiological culture on the base of educational institutions
• Personnel provision to the process of formation of practical radiological culture

The continuous radio-ecological education is the key element in the formation of practical radiological culture of population - the system of views, opinions, practical skills, behavioural patterns under the conditions of radioactive contamination.

Local, national and international partners of the Topical Project

Local partners: pre-school institutions, secondary schools of the Bragin, Slavgorod, Chechersk and Stolin Districts, Gomel and Brest Regional Education Departments, Education Departments of the Bragin, Slavgorod, Chechersk and Stolin Executive Committees.

National partners: Belarus Ministry of Education, Ministry of Culture, Belarus State University, Maxim Tank State Pedagogical University of Belarus, National Institute of Education.

International partners: Institut de Radioprotection et d e Surete Nucleaire (IRSN), Studies on Nuclear Protection Evaluation Centre CEPN, UNESCO.

Success criteria of the TP:

• Increased level of information about the actual radio-ecological situation in each village, town and district, as well as about new methods how to reduce the risks of radiation exposure;
• Increased level of radio-ecological knowledge and proactive attitude of local professionals towards local initiatives and the development of practical radiological culture for children and adults;
• Sustainable radio-ecological education for children starting from pre-school age, development of the required educational and methodological materials;
• Increased number of children and adults who put into practice the radio-ecological knowledge and skills to maintain healthy lifestyle;
• Conditions in place for the transmission of radiological culture and the dissemination of experience at the national and international level;
• Reduced social and psychological tension in the affected areas, which should improve public health and life quality.

Co-ordination and Integration of the TP into the CORE Programme

This TP shall foster constructive partnerships between the Chernobyl Committee, Ministry of Education, UNDP, Education Departments of the Bragin, Chechersk, Slavgorod and Stolin Districts, national and international experts and local teachers. The Chernobyl Committee and the Ministry of Education will ensure sustainability of radio-ecological education within educational programmes, optional out-of-school lessons and courses. Belarus State University, national and international experts develop methodological and informational materials according to the local information demands. Education Departments of the districts assist in the local fulfilment of this project and the personnel recruitment. General co-ordination is provided by the Liaison Committee in conformity with the structures and forms of partnership developed within the frame of Priority Area "Education/Memory", ensuring TP integration into other CORE Programme Areas. Co-ordination and Integration of TP projects requires regular reporting to the CORE Programme co-ordination committee.

Main Activities provisioned throughout the CORE Programme duration

Activity 1

Capitalisation on the national and international experience in order to develop practical radiological culture.

Main tasks:

1.1 evaluation of the existing methodological principles and local approaches to practical radiological culture;

1.2 generalisation of top scientific and practical achievements in radio-ecology and radiation safety;

1.3 collection and analysis of popular scientific materials developed for the inhabitants of affected areas;

1.4 collection and analysis of educational and methodological literature on radio-ecology and radiation safety;

1.5 presentation of collected materials in electronic version (CD-ROM), creation of information data bank "Radio-ecological Education, Information, Culture".

While implementing this activity, it is planned, first of all, to study local initiatives and experience in developing skills of safe ways of life, taking into account the experience of Terebezhov kindergarten, Olmany secondary school of the Stolin District, etc.

Activity 2

Elaboration of the concept of sustainable radio-ecological education of children and youth taking into account the actual long-term socio-economic situation.

Main tasks:

2.1 identification of information needs of local population in order to link the radio-ecological education with the everyday realities;

2.2 analysis and generalisation of national and international experience in the field of radio-ecological education;

2.3 co-ordination of the activities of governmental, educational, scientific and public institutions on radio-ecological education at the national and international levels;

2.4 development of agendas and programmes of priority activities to foster practical radiological culture in contaminated areas.

The new concept shall integrate propositions and suggestions of local teachers, as well as local models of work on radio-ecological education. Its development will involve the participation of local specialists working in contaminated areas and on other Topical Projects.

Activity 3

Informational and methodological support of radio-ecological education.

Main tasks:

3.1 development of a methodological handbook for teachers on radio-ecological education of children and students;

3.2 development of methodological recommendations for practical and laboratory school work;

3.3 development of methodological materials for extracurricular activities (optional studies, competitions, quizzes, discussions, ecological projects, etc.);

3.4 development of methodological materials for gaming and creative activities in pre-school institutions (didactic, creative role plays, ecological fairy-tales, eco-psychological training);

3.5 development of electronic methodological textbooks an tests (with textual and visual information, multimedia resources);

3.6 assessment, approbation and publishing of hard copies of new information materials, and their posting on the existing websites (ComChernobyl, Chernobyl.info as well as on the CORE site).

New methodological and information material (handbooks for school and extracurricular work, recommendations for laboratory and practical lessons) will be tested in pre-school facilities and secondary schools of the contaminated areas.

Activity 4

Establishment of school-based educational advisory centres for the development of practical radiological culture.

Main tasks:

4.1 involvement of local professionals (teachers, educators, agricultural specialists, radiometrists) in the activities of educational advisory centres, and creation of interest-groups among pupils;

4.2 reorganisation of schooling facilities and setting up of laboratories, procurement of necessary expendables, measuring instruments (radiometers, dosimeters), and equipment (computers, audio- and video equipment), their subsequent delivery, installation and maintenance;

4.3 consulting aid for the elaboration of curricula and plans for practical and laboratory lessons, methodological instructions and recommendations for practical activities;

4.4 training for teachers and pupils in operation of measuring instrument, computerised statistics and data analysis.

These activities can be implemented only with an active participation of local pedagogical staff of secondary schools as well as local agricultural specialists and radiometrists. Educational advisory centres will pay special attention to pupils' creative development under the guidance of teachers properly trained to work with measuring equipment and computers.

Activity 5

Training of qualified personnel for the promotion of practical radiological culture.

Main tasks:

5.1 arrangement of seminars and lectures in order to upgrade the knowledge and qualification of local specialists in the area of radio-ecology and radiological safety;

5.2 arrangement of thematic meetings and conferences in order to share best practices and skills on practical radiological culture among educationalists.

Upgrading of the knowledge and qualification of local teachers can be done through a broad-ranging involvement of teachers and specialists at the district, regional and national levels. The seminars will pay special attention to familiarisation with the regional experience acquired after implementation of various international and national projects.

The Topical Project will be implemented in the frame of CORE Programme in the following towns and villages during 2004 - 2006:

1. Maleyki, Mikulitchi, Komarin of the Bragin District of the Gomel Region;
2. Olmany, Belousha, Gorodnaya, Terebezhov of the Stolin District of the Brest Region;
3. Rovkovichy, Polessie, Babichi of the Chechersk District of the Gomel Region;
4. Svensk, Gaishin, Lesnaya, Popovka of the Slavgorod District of the Mogilev Region.

Implementation of the TP require of about _ 450 000, available at present finances (UNDP - _ 30 000, UNESCO - _ 25 000) allow us to start TP realization in the Slavgorod district Mogilev region.

All Rights Reserved, CORE, 2004