Environment Education and NGOS in Indonesia.(book review)

Title :- Environment Education and NGOS in Indonesia.
By :- Ko Nomura & Latipah Handarti
Published :-Yayasan Obor Indonesia, Jakarta 2005. (170 pages)

Outline :- Outlines the main Indonesian laws for environment, and recognizes implementation is poorly undertaken by Government. However the Universities developed programs to teach environment matters, and spread such learning to primary schools etc. Non Government Organizations (NGO’s) under the repressive Soeharto period were one avenue to make a difference or rebel against authority, and the Environment movement developed quickly with international support. However once Soeharto was removed such NGO’s have lost momentum. Several good references to NGO’s ant their activity today.

A collection of papers by various authors covering the topics of historical development of environmental education, partnership between NGO’s and other parties, and NGO’s practicing environmental education.

“ Environmental education is often perceived as being in the scope of a formal education. However, it is in fact a much broader concept. The goal of environmental education is to develop a world population that is aware of, and concerned about, the environment and its associated problems, and which has the knowledge, skills, attitudes, motivation and commitment to work individually and collectively towards solutions to current problems and the prevention of new ones (UNESCO-UNDP, 1976)”

The articles are set pieces on what should happen in an ideal world, and selects examples that fit this books purpose. The more difficult realities are often brushed over or not included.