Education is a crucial component of environmental awareness and indeed of sustainable development. The literacy rate in the Palestinian Territories is reported to be approximately 65 per cent, which places the Palestinian Territories in mid-range among developing nations (ARIJ 1997). There is a large gender variation within this figure due mainly to the lower literacy rate among women over 20 in the West Bank. However, the gap has closed significantly in the last 30 years with the male literacy rate doubling and the female growing by 8 fold during this period (ARIJ, 1997).
The education system in the PA consists of 4 levels and 3 systems. They are:
The 3 systems are the: (i) Government Schools, administered by the PA; (ii) Private Schools; and (iii) United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) which provide services to refugee camp residents, mainly in the West Bank.
There are 14 universities in the Palestinian Territories including 12 in the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) and 2 in Gaza. Seven of which have environment-related courses.
The first workshop that discussed the environmental issues in Palestine was the one held in Bethlehem University in 1987. This workshop had build the first steps for understanding and assessing our natural resources and inventorying the appropriate methods to protect the Palestinian environment. The workshop covered different issues such as the Palestinian ecosystems, topography and climate, pesticides and their effects, insect disease and the status of poultry in Palestine.
The Applied Research Institute-Jerusalem (ARIJ) held the first training course on biodiversity that discussed the issues, concepts and scientific approaches of biodiversity and its implementation in Palestine. This course was in co-operation with the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) and a number of Palestinian NGOs that work in the field of biodiversity, agro-biodiversity, range land management and conservation (ARIJ, 1998).
PEnA has made considerable progress in promoting biodiversity and general environmental awareness since the commencement of the BSAP project. To date they have:
In collaboration with the Ministry of Education, launched a pilot environmental awareness campaign targeting all levels of school in the Hebron district. The campaign uses computers and audio-visual equipment to give a general introduction to environmental issues including biodiversity. Preliminary feedback from teachers has been positive and it is hoped that the program can soon be expanded through the Palestinian Territories.
Produced a series of 4 colour posters with slogans on biodiversity. The posters include (i) birds; (ii) large mammals; (iii) important natural areas; and (iv) indigenous wildflowers. The posters have been disseminated throughout schools in the West Bank and will hopefully be distributed throughout Gaza once the current round of closures is lifted. They will then be sent to various government offices, NGOs and media institutions. In addition PEnA has produced brochures on PEnA athe BSAP project. These brochures have been also been widely distributed throughout the Palestinian Territories.
Produced a documentary film on biodiversity in the West Bank.
Undertaken several promotional and educational activities in collaboration with the environmental NGO Children for the Protection of Nature in Palestine (CPNP). Among these, the highest profile event has been the sponsorship of the First International Conference on Biodiversity and Educational Environment, held in Jericho and Beit Jala from 7 to 13 June 1998.
PEnA's Gaza office has also undertaken several environmental awareness activities. These are the; (i) production of a 3-part video on marine pollution, (ii) production of brochures of local distribution, (iii) production of children's storybook on environmental issues and (iv) 2 clean-up campaigns in the northern beach area and Wadi Gaza.
In April 1998 CPNP established the first and to this point only, Environmental Education Center in the Palestinian Territories. Consistent with CPNP's mandate, the center is targeted mainly at school children from the Palestine, Israel and the surrounding Arab region. In addition, links have been established with several schools in North America. The centre consists of:
Natural history museum, with a collection of over 2,500 specimens of animals including a large collection of birds, fossils, rocks, flora and a herbarium;
Inter-active Environmental Exhibit, on a large range of environmental issues. Including, water resources, migratory birds, indigenous flora and fauna and pollution control;
Computer Laboratory, which consists of a software package on bird migration;
Botanical garden, which has had a program of joint Palestinian/ Israeli children planting trees. The centre plans to expand the garden to include a larger variety of Mediterranean and Biblical trees, a pond for migratory and indigenous birds and an outdoor classroom.
There are nine universities in the Palestinian Territories including seven in the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) and two in Gaza. The universities focus on Bachelor level degrees with a limited number of Master's degrees available. Total student enrolment is approximately 18,000 (West Bank only) with approximately 1,600 (West Bank only) students graduating each year. There are 19 Community Colleges in the Palestinian Territories with a total student enrolment of approximately 3,400 (West Bank only) and 12 Vocational Institutions with a student enrolment of approximately 2,300.
Of the nine universities, seven have courses related to environmental issues. The seven are: Al-Azhar University (Gaza), Bethlehem University, Hebron University, Islamic University of Gaza, Jerusalem Open University (nation wide), An-Najah National University (Nablus) and Al-Quds University (East Jerusalem).
The Islamic University of Gaza's Department of Environment and Earth Sciences offers a Bachelors level program. The first class of 11 students has just graduated. In all there are between 25 and 30 students in the program with 5 full time teachers (2 full professors, 3 assistant professors). Additional teaching resources are drawn from other departments. Courses cover a wide range of environmental issues including: solid waste management, waste water treatment, GIS/ remote sensing, energy sources, EIA, oceanography, micro-biology, hydro-geology and environmental chemistry.
Non Governmental Organizations
Below is a partial list of local NGOs that work broadly in the environment field. In addition there are several International NGOs and private sector consulting companies active in the environment industry in Palestine.
Applied Research Institute-Jerusalem (ARIJ)
Founded in 1990, ARIJ is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting sustainable development in the occupied Palestinian Territories and the self-reliance of the Palestinian people through greater control over their natural resources. The Institute works specifically to augment the local stock of scientific and technical knowledge and to introduce and devise more efficient methods of resource utilisation and conservation, improved practices, and appropriate technology.
The main objective of its BARU (Biodiversity and Agriculture Research Unit) is to carry out research in biodiversity, conservation and broader agricultural issues in Palestine such as environmental threats, which enhance the process of desertification, soil erosion, degradation of green cover, and endangerment and extinction of flora and fauna. Some of its major activities are the establishment of a Flora Data Base, Fauna Data Base, Herbarium, initiation of a Seed Bank, Agricultural Data Base, Plant Protection Data Base and Livestock Data Base.
Ma'an Development Centre
The Ma'an Development Centre is a Palestinian NGO established in 1990. The Centre's main activity is the design and implementation of training programs in various fields for both individuals and institutions, including community based or "grassroots" organisations. In addition, the Centre functions as an applied and basic research institute.
Ma'an is active in fishery. They are the partner executing agency for the Gaza Fishery Project (with CARE Canada). Activities include fish data collection, co-management and the development of an artificial reef (CARE/ Ma'an, 1996).
Palestinian Agriculture Relief Committee (PARC)
Focuses mainly on agricultural activities, including animal and plant production, agricultural management and training, land reclamation and veterinary services (PEnA, March 1998).
Technical Center for Agriculture Service (TCAS)
Works in the fields of agriculture extension, land reclamation, environmental awareness and women in development (PEnA, March 1998).
Al Towfiq Fisherman's Co-operative
The Al Towfiq co-op is the only co-op in the fishing sector. It has 187 members and 9 full time employees. A 9 member board is elected every 2 years and meets monthly as well as at the Annual General Meeting. The co-op is quite influential in fisheries related matters in Gaza and acts as the main voice for the fishermen (CARE/ Ma'an, 1996).
Fishermen's Association
Began in early 1996. It consists of an elected chairman who presides over an administrative committee. The administrative committee is made up of representatives of the 4 local units. The objective of the association is to work towards unification in the fishing sector and to sustain and develop the fishermen's financial, social and professional interests. This includes lobbying the PA for a health insurance scheme and other social benefits. The Association is also active outside the fishery including an initiative to establish a housing co-operative (CARE/ Ma'an, 1996).
Green Peace, Palestinian Society for the Protection of Nature and Palestinian Society for the Protection of Wildlife
Are few examples of the newly licensed non-governmental institutions to work in the environment/environment protection field.