Environment Australia, July 2000
ISBN 0 642 546 665
Longer Term Priorities
As already stated, the promulgation of this National Action Plan is a starting point, not an end. Achieving changed behaviour in support of an ecologically sustainable environment will not occur overnight.
The strategies outlined in this plan will be implemented as soon as possible. They will be supported by a continuing and longer term process which will involve the on-going environmental education activities of the individual programs administered by Environment Australia and initiatives forthcoming from the National Environmental Education Council and the Australian Environmental Education Foundation.
The Commonwealth will also give priority to the following areas.
Local Government
- Local Government Authorities will be encouraged and supported to adopt their own Local Agenda 21 and local ESD programs.
Business and industry
- An education program concerned with ecologically sustainable development, eco-efficiency within industry and the application of best practice environmental management principles across all parts of the Australian economy will be implemented.
Environmental education resource centres
- In recognition of the environmental education role of museums, zoos, aquariums, protected areas, community and school environmental education resource centres, a network of such centres designed to share and promote best practice and to coordinate activities - including the recognition of national priorities - will be promoted.
Partnerships with Specific Sectors
- Environment Australia will work to establish partnerships with relevant bodies in other key sectors.
International Partnerships
- In accordance with its international responsibilities, Environment Australia will support exchanges of information and experience with other countries, particularly with countries in the Asia-Pacific region. By way of example, Environment Australia has agreed to provide information on its environmental education activities to the Environment Protection Department of Hong Kong and to host a visit by staff from the Department. In addition, a sister school arrangement has been organised between Fushan Primary School in Shanghai and Mawson Primary School in Canberra involving an exchange of information on the Schools' environmental activities. Such arrangements will be further developed by Environment Australia.
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