INTERNSHIP REPORT
SUMMARY
My internship with the Centre for Environment Education (CEE), New Delhi, India, covered
a period of two-weeks, beginning 1st to 15th November 2008. I was given the opportunity to travel with the CEE Team and observe the workings of an Indian Non-Governmental Organisation which is devoted towards environmental awareness and education.
During my internship, I was given an insight into different aspects of environmental management, some of the key areas being as follows:
• Awareness through Education
• Biomedical Waste Treatment and Management
• Sustainable Forestry and Eco-Tourism
• Solid Waste Management
• Environmental Awareness through Socio-Economic endeavours
This internship has provided me with a unique insight into the environmental scene of a nation with more than one billion people. Despite the vast differences between general scale of economics, climate, geography, socio-cultural, political scenario and population numbers, the similarities between the two nations (Malaysia and India) are somewhat striking, especially in facing challenges related to the environment...thus providing the strongest evidence that environmental management and conservation is our joint responsibility.
INTRODUCTION
Sustainable development is defined by the Brundtland Commission (1983) as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It is an all-encompassing term covering education, awareness, technology and attitude. A quarter of a century after the formation of the Brundtland Commission, the term has become synonymous with environmental management across the globe.
Although it is loosely defined, sustainable development is integral in tackling a number of inter-related global issues such as poverty, social inequality, hunger and starvation and broad-scale environmental degradation. In theory, development that is sustainable and does not pose adverse impacts to the environment is very possible and achievable. However, in reality there are numerous challenges involved; ranging from insufficient funding, rapid urbanization, population expansion, political inaction and general public apathy.
In view of the above, promoting sustainable development requires all parties to put their shoulders to the wheel in striving towards the end goal – which is - achieving sustainable development! The Government, the Private Sector and Non-Governmental Organisations form three legs of a tripod that helps address different aspects of sustainable environmental management.
My two-week internship with the Centre for Environment Education (CEE) New Delhi, India represented an opportunity to experience first-hand the various aspects of sustainable development from an NGO perspective. The following pages of this report represent an overview with key insights into some of the projects and programmes that I participated in over the two-week period.
CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT EDUCATION
The Centre for Environment Education (CEE) was created in recognition of the importance of environmental education in India’s overall environment and development strategy. The result of a unique partnership between the government and a non-governmental institution, the CEE was established as a Centre of Excellence in 1984. The CEE has inherited the rich multi-disciplinary resource base and varied experience of the famed Nehru Foundation for Development, its parent organisation, which has been promoting educational efforts since 1966 in the areas of science, nature study, health, development, and environment.
Although the CEE was founded on the premise of promoting environmental education, the organisation works within a wide range of sectors, for various target groups and in widely diverse geographical areas. The CEE has a network of forty (40) offices (with over 380 staff) across the country, including Regional Cells in the Central, East, North, North-East, Southern and Western zones of India, as well as several State, Field and Project Offices, and campsites to carry out their programmes and projects.
In recognition of their efforts, the CEE received “The India NGO Award 2007” for the western region (joint) in the large scale NGO category.
Primary Objective
The CEE's primary objective is to improve public awareness and understanding of the environment with a view to promoting the conservation and sustainable use of nature and natural resources, leading to a better environment and a better quality of life. To this end, the CEE develops innovative programmes and educational material, and builds capacity in the field of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD).
Strategies
The CEE seeks to achieve its objectives through the implementation of a multi pronged approach. Some of the key strategies are:
• Informing local environmental agencies with state-of-the-art thinking, developments, innovations and perspectives in the areas of Environment and Sustainable Development.
• Adaptability to different geographic, cultural, social and economic contexts.
• Partnerships utilising complementary strengths of other organisations to avoid duplication of effort, and to network effectively for synergistic convergence of ideas and goals. CEE tries to ensure that its programmes do not re-invent the wheel.
• Developing programmes and materials to build on existing strategic opportunities and facilities for EE.
• Encouraging and supporting other agencies in the field of EE and ESD to develop similar materials and programmes based on their specific needs and situations.
• Building synergies between Government, NGOs and CEE for comprehensive impact.
• Identifying key entry points for different thrust areas, and key targets for initiating and consolidating gains, to achieve a multiplier effect.
• Facilitating networks at local, national and regional levels, through a number of tools such as dialogues, directories, newsletters, etc.
• Working to develop a cadre of professionals
• Bringing international experiences within the ambit of EE in India, so as to enhance quality, depth and range of programmes.
• Using media and technology, to leapfrog and achieve a wider reach
• Ensuring innovation, R&D, quality control and excellence in the production of all material through in-house infrastructural support like studios, workshops, printing pres, etc., and expert editorial and design services.
INDIA
With the introduction of the CEE, its primary objectives and strategies for creating and enhancing environmental awareness in the previous section, this section follows with a brief discussion on the CEE’s implementation base and major target groups.