FAO guidance aims to inspire children to care for forests

1 November 2023, Rome – New guidance from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) sets out how countries can introduce an innovative programme in primary schools to teach new generations of children about the value and benefits of forests.

Guidance on developing forest education programmes for primary schools outlines the principles and practical steps to setting up a new forest education course, based on FAO’s experience developing engaging and stimulating teaching modules for children aged 9-12 in collaboration with the governments of Tanzania and the Philippines and with the support of Germany.

“Today more and more people living in urban areas are increasingly detached from nature, and there is a widespread lack of awareness and understanding of forests and their benefits,” said Zhimin Wu, Director of FAO’s Forestry Division.

“If we want future generations to take care of the world’s natural resources, there is a need to integrate forest education in schools everywhere from an early age.”

Addressing global forest education

Despite the importance of forests in achieving many of the Sustainable Development Goals, a recent global assessment revealed that forest education is frequently insufficient in many places across the world, and topics related to forests and their sustainable use are often absent from school curriculums entirely.

Furthermore, young people tend to regard forestry careers as having poor status and image, which may lead to a lack of foresters among future generations to safeguard these precious natural resources.

“Introducing forest education from primary years can instil an understanding and awareness that will help future generations make informed decisions about the sustainable use of our forest resources, said FAO Forestry Officer Maria De Cristofaro, who heads FAO’s forest education project. “It can also help children realize that there is a very broad range of forestry careers available today and that these increasingly about technology, including remote sensing, artificial intelligence, and mobile information and communication technology.”

Interactive approach

FAO’s interactive lesson programme in Tanzania and the Philippines covers a wide range of forest topics, from the benefits of agroforestry and sustainable wood consumption to beekeeping, the greenhouse effect and climate change.

It uses the ‘education for sustainable development’ approach, which includes highly interactive and hands-on lessons designed to make the lessons both inspiring and fun. Around half of activities are designed to take place outside the classroom in school playgrounds and green spaces.

The 43-page guidance booklet sets out 16 steps in three phases – preparation, content development, and deployment – for countries to implement similar education programmes adapted to national contexts.