Education and training relating to biodiversity conservation
is carried out at a number of levels in Armenia. A basic
introduction to biology and the diversity of plants and
animals is provided in the 5th year of secondary school,
and often involves a field trip to the botanic garden or
zoo. A number of higher education courses also include information
on biodiversity conservation, both in state institutions
(Table 8.1) and private universities (Yerevan University
of Ecology and Law; 'Yerevan' University; Moscow College
for the Humanities and Ecology; International Independent
University for Ecology and Political Science). Relevant
courses offered by State institutions are listed in Table
8.1
Table 8.1 Higher education institutions
and courses offered relating to biodiversity conservation
and ecology
|
Institution
|
Courses
|
|
Yerevan State University
|
|
|
Biology faculty
|
· ecology
|
|
· environment
|
|
· biogeography
|
|
· environmental principles
|
|
· impact of environmental
factors on ecosystems
|
|
· plant ecology
|
|
· animals ecology and conservation
|
|
|
|
Geography faculty
|
· environmental problems
of Armenia
|
|
· principles of sustainable
development
|
|
· landscape science
|
|
· biogeography
|
|
· landscape ecology
|
|
Chemistry faculty
|
· principles of ecology
|
|
· nature protection
|
|
Yerevan Institute of National Economy
|
· modern problems of ecology
|
|
· economy of nature use
|
|
· principles of nature protection
|
|
· ecological safety
|
|
· economy and ecology
|
|
Yerevan Teaching Institute
|
· plant ecology
|
|
· animal ecology
|
|
· hydro-ecology
|
|
· monitoring
|
|
· ecology and nature protection
|
|
· populations ecology
|
|
· principles of ecological
education
|
|
Armenian Agricultural Academy
|
· environmental protection
and sustainable use of natural resources
|
|
· agro-ecology
|
|
· plant ecology
|
|
|
At present public awareness of environmental
issues in Armenia is relatively low, particularly in relation
to losses in biodiversity. Relatively little attention is
given to these issues in the State press, radio and television,
although a program on environmental issues is produced once
every fortnight on national television. In addition, private
television channels show foreign wildlife documentaries,
but no programmes are broadcast about Armenian biodiversity.
Until 1995, an important source of information was the monthly
publication 'Armenian Nature', however this has now ceased
production due to lack of funds. In 1998 the Ministry of
Nature Protection began to produce a monthly environmental
newspaper 'Nature', however its limited print run means
it cannot be widely disseminated.
It is clear that public awareness and involvement is an important
issue in achieving sustainable and equitable conservation. This was recognised in
the International Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making
and Access to Justice in Environment Matters (Aarhus 1998). Armenia signed this
convention at the meeting in Denmark in 1998, and with eventual ratification will
undertake to provide enhanced mechanisms for disseminating information, increasing
awareness and encouraging public participation in biodiversity conservation and
associated decision making.
|
