Posted on November, 01 2003

By approving National Environment Education Guidelines, the Chinese Ministry of Education has demonstrated its commitment to ensuring that China's children learn about the environment and sustainable development.

The Guidelines guarantee that Environmental Education is now a required part of the national curriculum, re-oriented towards sustainability, and emphasizes the development of not only knowledge, but also students' skills, attitudes and values as well as their commitment towards changing for a sustainable future. The Guidelines will affect all Primary and Middle school students in China, representing around 197 million children in total.

The Guidelines' foundations are based on 4 key concepts: interconnectedness; diversity (biological and cultural); sustainability and participation. With these concepts, the Guidelines break down areas of learning and link Education for Sustainability with the existing curriculum by grade level. Examples of activities are given for each level, encouraging inter-disciplinary and enquiry-based learning.

The development of the Guidelines, facilitated by a non-government organization with the participation of a wide range of teachers, students, community members and government officials, is an example of the important role ordinary citizens can play in conservation and sustainable development.

WWF recognizes this major initiative as a Gift to the Earth - A globally significant conservation action, which demonstrates environmental leadership and is an inspiration and example to others.