Report on ISESCO Efforts in Environmental,

Health and Population Education

Introduction

In view of the increasing importance that the international community grants to the issues related to environment, health and population and of their crucial role in achieving sustainable  development; and being convinced of the necessity of endeavouring to develop environmental, population and health education - both at the theoretical and the practical levels- so that each individual may benefit from it as part and parcel of his general culture and as an orientation guiding his behaviour and protecting him against the hazards of an unbridled development that is not governed by any ethical values or human virtues and that is only seeking to achieve material profit, the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has been, since its inception, focusing its attention and care to address these crucial issues and help the Member States find the appropriate solutions, in keeping with the relevant resolutions adopted by the General Conference and the Executive Council. This care has been particularly more evident in the orientations and contents of the cultural strategy for the Islamic World, the strategy for the development of science and technology in the Islamic countries and the 2001-2009 mid-term plan. It was even more concretely obvious in the quality and quantity of programs and projects related to environment, health and population contained in the previous 1998-2000 action plan, and in the present 2001-2003 three-year action which innovated by following a new methodology consisting in adopting a comprehensive approach to deal with environment, health and population issues that takes into account the intrinsic link and complementarity existing between these issues and their direct impact on sustainable development on the one hand and consecration of the Islamic point of view in handling these issues on the other hand, in a way that highlights the Islamic culture's distinction and pre-eminence in the fields and enables the Islamic Organization to disseminate the voice of the Islamic world in specialized international forums and impact on the related decision-making in a way that conforms to Islamic values and ethics.

General Objectives

Based on the Islamic Organization's point of view which has both a global and Islamic perspective regarding the issues of environment, health and population, the following objectives were set in the Organization's activities in these fields:

1. Raise awareness on the issues of environment, health and population and promote them as part and parcel of the general culture of all segments of society, guiding their behaviour and their relationship with their natural and health environment, to preserve and protect natural resources, rationalize their use, promote the prevention against diseases and epidemics and adopt a wise and sound approach toward birth control issues.

2. Consolidate health, environment and population education in both formal and informal education institutions, by incorporating related concepts in education curricula, in accordance with the Islamic world specificities and train specialized human resources in the field.

3. Disseminate knowledge about the Islamic point of view on issues of environment, health and population, emphasize the values of Islam and its pre-eminence in addressing these issues and underscore the conformity of Islamic education and culture with modern times in their approaches to environment, health and population issues

4. Strengthen international cooperation and partnership among the Member States through the exchange of experience and expertise and encourage pioneer experiences as regards developing environment, health and population education, especially concerning the monitoring of the environment situation and control of natural hazards.

Environment, Health and Population Activities carried out at the Initiative or with the Participation of ISESCO

The Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has carried out a series of activities, programs and projects related to environment, health and education, as part of its successive action plans and cooperation programs with Arab, Islamic and international organizations and bodies, including the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the United Nations Fund for Population Activities(UNFPA), the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), the Islamic Organization for Medical Sciences and  the Islamic Population Studies and Research Centre of Al-Azhar University. These activities encompassed a series of colloquia, experts meetings, workshops, local and regional training sessions, publication of scientific studies and research works. Furthermore, the Islamic Organization has taken part in several international specialized conferences and encounters held by other organizations.

1. Major International Conferences and Colloquia

Since 1998, ISESCO has organized or taken part in several international conferences dealing with environment, health and population issues both inside and outside the Islamic world, the most important of which are:

- International conference on population and reproductive health (Cairo, February 1998)

- African Forum on solar energy (Bamako, March 1998)

- Sixth Arab conference on solar energy (Oman, April 1998)

- Consultative meeting held in parallel to the international conference on forests (Geneva, August 1998)

- Energy conference (Bahrain, November 1998)

- Sub-regional meeting on Geological Parameters for Environment Protection (Bamako, December 1998)

- First world Forum on Environment from an Islamic perspective (Jeddah, October 2000)

- International Seminar on combating desertification (Chad, October/November 2000)

- Conference of Governmental Experts in charge of sustainable development (Tunis, March 2000)

- International conference on Geo-environment (Oman, March 2000)

- First international conference on energy and water desalination (Tripoli, June 2000)

- Coordination meeting between the United Nations Environment Program and the department of meteorology and environment protection of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Rabat, 2000)

- Fourth international conference on sciences, development and environment (Cairo, March 2001)

- Forum on development of renewable energies in the Mediterranean basin (Marrakech, May 2001)

- International seminar on cities in the face of energy and environment challenges (Lebanon, September 2001)

- Meeting of Arab countries environment ministers (Cairo, October 2001)

- Regional session on renewable energy at the service of development in the rural world (Cote d'Ivoire, November 2001)

- First preparation meeting of Islamic ministers of environment (Rabat, January 2002)

- World conference on globalisation effects on health and social care in Islamic countries (Kuwait, March 2002)

- Sub-regional meeting on geological parameters for environment protection (Bamako, March 2002)

- Meeting to prepare the summit conference on sustainable development (Indonesia, May/June 2002)

2. Experts meetings, training sessions and workshops

- Experts meeting on ocean environment and bio-diversity (Tripoli, June 1998)

- Regional workshop of officials in charge of Islamic education in population education fields (Amman, September 1998)

- National session on the use of renewable energies (Tehran, October 1998)

- Regional workshop on protection of underground water (Burkina Faso, October 1998)

- Experts meetings on bio-diversity (Tunis, November 1998)

- Competition of children’s drawings on environment protection (ISESCO’s headquarters, 1998)

- International conference on family education in the light of Islamic teachings (Mecca, May/June 1999)

- Regional training session on incorporation of a pilot  program of population education from an Islamic perspective in teaching curricula (Damascus, September 1999)

- Regional training session on incorporation of a pilot  program of population education from an Islamic perspective in teaching curricula (Benin, September 1999)

- Regional session on environment protection and preservation of natural resources (Tunis, October 2000)

- Regional session on water resources management (Cairo, November 2000)

- Regional experts meeting to prepare ISESCO course on Islamic education in formal and informal education to incorporate population concepts (Cairo, April 2001)

- Study session on environment and health from an Islamic perspective (Syria, July 2001)

- Regional seminar of women leaderships on reproductive health and gender in the Gulf and Middle East countries (Yemen, July 2001)

- Regional workshop of Islamic education experts to incorporate issues of reproductive health in Islamic education curricula (Rabat, September 2001)

- Regional meeting of managers and broadcasters of cultural and religious programs in Arab satellite television channels on population and reproductive health issues and gender (Cairo, September 200

- Regional workshop to incorporate reproductive health and gender issues from an Islamic perspective in pre-university education (Tunis, November 2001)

- Session on environmental and health education from an Islamic perspective in French-speaking countries (Cote D'Ivoire, May 2002)

- Contest of children drawings on environment protection

3. ISESCO publications in environment, health and population

Within the framework of its successive plans, ISESCO has published, in its working languages, several books, studies and research works dealing with environment, health and population issues, including the following ones that were published in the period running between 1998 and end 2001.

- Use of solar energy and wind energy in rural and remote areas

- Teacher guidebook on water resources management

- Study on earthquakes control in Indonesia

- Study on floods control in Bangladesh

- Study on environment issues in the Koran and the Sunnah

- Study on environment: analysis of some issues from an Islamic perspective

- Study on rain water storage

- Study on the use of saline water in farming

- Study on the effects of waste on marine environment

- Study on some environment aspects in Maghreb Arab countries

- Study on tele-detection

- Solar energy

- New and renewable energies

- Course on renewable energies - Bachelor level

- AIDS prevention from an Islamic perspective

- Model of population education school program from an Islamic perspective

- Health prevention against Malaria

- Manual of incorporating environment concepts in pre-university curricula

- Simplified guidebook on population concepts, demographic situation and population issues in the Islamic world

- Health prevention against drugs

- Publication of posters and brochures to promote awareness about rational use of water

Future Plans: In accordance with the Islamic organization's charter which calls for the dissemination of educational, scientific, technical, cultural and human values to face the serious stakes accompanying modern times, and based on the orientations and contents of the 2001-2009 mid-term plan and on the strategy to develop sciences and technology in the Islamic countries, which both grant a special importance on environment, health and population issues, the Islamic organization has incorporated in its present 2001-2003 three-year plan inter-disciplinary axes shared between educational, scientific and cultural specialties to deal with these issues in a comprehensive manner within the framework of sustainable development. ISESCO is likewise resolved to conduct more activities and projects related to the preservation and protection of environment, and consolidate health education to protect humans and natural environment in its future plan for 2004-2006.

Among the axes that have a close link with the fields of environment, health and population which the Islamic organization is implementing, the first axis deals with health and environment education and culture, the second axis is related to population education and culture and the Islamic perspective while the third axis is about the preservation and management of natural resources.

Axis 1: Environment and health education

Environment and health education is now one of the priority issues being addressed in all societies in view of its direct impact on the health of the individual and society at large. This is why the Islamic, Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has given special consideration to this axis in its action plans and devoted for it several programs and activities that concentrate on making clear the Islamic perception of environment and health education in cooperation with the World Health Organization and the United Nations Environment Program. ISESCO has also published several booklets on health issues such as health prevention from Malaria, health prevention from AIDS and prevention from drugs in cooperation with several specialized regional and international organizations. It has also participated in the publication of a book on health education for teenagers together with the World Health Organization and the Islamic Organization for Medical Sciences. Furthermore, ISESCO has also published research papers presented at the symposium on the incorporation of environmental concepts in pre-university education programs and printed folders and posters on the rational use of water, prepared posters on AIDS, Malaria and drugs and held an international conference on environmental education from an Islamic perspective. The Islamic organization will pursue its efforts under this axis in order to encourage the individual within the school and the society at large safeguard his own future and the future of others. Given the complementarity of views in relation to education, culture and sciences in dealing with the environmental and health issues, there will be coordination between the directorates concerned with the implementation of programs and activities scheduled under this axis.

1. For a purposeful health education

To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, complement the efforts made by ISESCO in the field under its previous action plans and based on the findings of activities evaluations, the Islamic Organization is elaborating a guidebook on incorporating health education in the curricula of formal education and the programs of informal education. The guidebook will be laying a special emphasis on two matters; first, Islamic guidance in relation to health; second, incorporation mechanisms either by introducing separate subjects or using materials carrying health concepts and information. ISESCO will also hold regional workshops to enable schools plan and carry out health programs in the surrounding environment in order to activate the school's role inside its own social environment and support health projects to be implemented by schools in the Member States. 

2. Environmental Education is the foundation

of an Effective Development

To reaffirm ISESCO'S achievements in the field of environmental education, and in order to complement efforts of organizations, institutions specialized in environment, the programme will promote environmental education through curricula and staff training. Therefore, a book on environmental education from an Islamic perspective will be translated and published into English and French. Similarly, regional workshops are held on the incorporation of environmental education in the education curricula at various levels with particular emphasis on informal education institutions and programmes, observe the successful experiments in environment education, prepare and publish reports thereon and proceed with the organization of ISESCO's day for the protection of water, that has been launched under the previous action plan.

Axis 2 : Population Education

Population concepts have, over the past few years, generated a growing interest by societies, governments, international and regional organizations, as well as by non governmental organizations and civil society organizations, given its close link with faith and religious values, as well as all aspects of life, including education, health, environment and development. Given the paramount importance of sound awareness about population concepts, the Islamic Organization has under its successive action plans, devoted a special axis on population education, in order to address, from an Islamic perspective, a number of population issues and concepts. In this respect, ISESCO took part in many activities, edited a number of books on reproductive health, human rights in Islam, women's rights in Islam, incorporation of population programmes in education curricula, preparation of a pilot programme on population education, population concepts and democratic status and population issues in the Muslim World. Likewise ISESCO held several sessions, workshops and conference on clarifying and incorporating population concepts, from an Islamic perception, in educational programmes. To further complement those efforts, ISESCO will, through this axis, promote population education in society in compliance with Islamic principles and the specificities of the Islamic civilization.

1. Population Education and Comprehensive Development

Action under this programme is conducted to complement other specialized subjects, while focussing on the educational and cultural dimensions of population and development issues. In this respect, ISESCO encourages the conduct of studies on population characteristics in the Member States and their impact on development. It is preferable here, to select the state that best represents each one of those population characteristics. For instance choice will be made of the State suffering from population increase, another one from population imbalance, a third one representing a migrant repulsive State while a fourth one would represent a migrant attractive State and so on. National and regional workshops are also held on ways of harnessing population characteristics to contribute to comprehensive development. Likewise, material and technical support is provided for holding national workshops for the benefit of population education counsellors, with special emphasis on the Islamic orientation.

2. Population Education and Islamic Specificities

This programme focuses on elaborating and reasserting the Islamic perception of population concepts and issues. It is based, in particular, on the reservations voiced by the Islamic countries at the Population conference in Cairo. To this end, and under the present programme, a comparative study is underway on population education in the Islamic countries and other countries. Regional workshops are also held, assembling senior officials in charge of Islamic education curricula, in order to incorporate information about population concepts and issues in Islamic education curricula. Similarly, support is given to hold national workshops or the benefit of technical supervisors, in order to make clear Islam's point of view on population issues and disseminate a population culture that complies with Islamic values.

Axis 3: Conservation and Management of Natural Resources

Under the ISESCO's successive Action Plans, efforts have always been devoted to the conservation, management and sustainable exploitation of natural resources. International, regional and national conferences and meetings were organized with other organizations like UNESCO, the French-Speaking Energy Institute (IEPF), DAWA association, the International Energy Fund (IEF), COMSTECH, the Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) and the International Francophony Organization, etc. to exchange knowledge and information on various important issues such as desertification control, forestry, bio-diversity, etc. Appropriate human resources were developed through various training courses in various important areas such as environment protection, urban management and natural resource conservation. The publication of studies like "Environmental Aspects in the Maghreb Countries", "Flood control in Flood Plain country", and "Earthquake Monitoring" and books like "Flora Biodiversity in Iran", proceedings of regional seminar on "Biodiversity Conservation under the previous 1998-2000 three-year action Plan" contributed towards better management of and protection against natural disasters. Cooperation meetings with international partners such as expert meeting on "Ocean Environment and biodiversity" in Libya (June, 1998) and "Biodiversity" in Tunisia with the Arab League Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), sub-regional training seminar on "Geological Parameters for Environment Protection" in Mali with UNESCO in 1998 and regional training course on "Environment Protection and Conservation of Natural Resources" in 2000 in Tunisia has enabled to tackle important issues.

The outcome of important meetings like the International Seminar on "Combating Desertification" held in October 2000 in Chad and the international conference on "Geo-environment 2000" held in March 2000 in the Sultanate of Oman have provided ISESCO with a new dimension in the implementation of programmes in the Member States.  ISESCO will carry on its efforts in the conservation and the management of natural resources, examine and analyse the harmful effects of human activity on environment at various forums and enhance the knowledge and expertise related to the management of natural disasters through various training programs. Topics like destruction of green spaces, deterioration of the built-up environment, deterioration of coastal regions, industrial hazards in the urban context and atmospheric pollution will be considered as a priority. Advanced technologies and equipment will be introduced to further strengthen the capacities of the Member States in these areas.

1. Conservation and management of natural resources

ISESCO will carry on its efforts to strengthen the knowledge through the organization of seminars on preserving and managing natural resources, desertification control, forest management, bio-diversity, marine resources, etc. National workshops on important environment issues as per needs of the Member States will be organized in various regions on a regular basis. Latest information on new management techniques will be published and disseminated widely for sustainable development in the Member States. The information on new methods for environment protection and natural resources conservation will also be disseminated.

2. Environment monitoring and coping with natural disasters

ISESCO will intensify its programs on environment monitoring and coping with natural disasters through the organization of regional seminars. This will enable to develop suitable strategies and programs to this end. The technical assistance and equipment support to Member States will also be initiated to enable them to cope with natural hazards in a better way. The understanding of the latest knowledge will be enhanced through preparation and publication of studies on state-of-the-art technologies and suitable equipment on coping with natural hazards. Training will also be offered to better cope with natural hazards.

3. Environment protection and wide dissemination of related programs and guidelines

Within the framework of this inter-disciplinary program, ISESCO will enhance its efforts in the protection of the environment through the organization of regional conferences and seminars on environment protection. The know-how of the concerned staff will be enhanced through organizing national training courses and workshops on various issues related to environment protection. ISESCO will also publish and disseminate information and appropriate material to promote environment protection.