Canberra, Wednesday 30 May, 2001

First Environmental Education Summit at ANU

A gathering of academics, industry and government representatives at The Australian National University tomorrow (Thursday 31 May) will consider ways of improving environmental education in Australian universities.

The first Environmental Education Summit has been jointly organised by the *National Environmental Education Council and the ANU. Participants will consider ways to advance the agenda of greening the university's curriculum and campus.

With the global market for environmental business estimated to be already worth $500 billion annually, there is a need for graduates with a range of skills in eco-innovation and environmental management.

“We will be discussing how universities could be doing more to accelerate changes in business and industry prompted by global market and environmental forces,” Professor Robert Wasson, Director of Centre for Resource and Environmental Studies said. “Environmental literacy needs to be seen as a generic skill across virtually all disciplines. It is hoped this first pilot Environmental Education Summit will be repeated at campuses around the country.”

The speakers include: Robyn Williams, Chair, National Environmental Education Council & ABC Science Broadcaster, Shaun Mays, Managing Director of Westpac Financial Services, Mike Lotzof, CEO of Vermitech, Paul Perkins, Chief Executive Officer, ACTEW Corporation, Professor Valerie Brown, University of Western Sydney, Mandawuy Yunupingu, Chair of the Reference Group overseeing the National Review of Education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (and first aboriginal school principal) and Professor Andrew Blakers, Director of Centre for Sustainable Energy Systems ANU.

* The National Environmental Education Council was established in July 2000 under the Commonwealth Government's environmental education National Action Plan — Environmental Education for a Sustainable Future. The Council's terms of reference include providing advice to the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment and Heritage on priority environmental education needs and research issues; advocating practical environmental education in all spheres (formal education, business, industry and community); and developing strategies for furthering the principles of the National Action Plan.

What: Environmental Education Summit
Where: The Hall, University House, Balmain Cres, ANU
When: 4:30pm to 9.00pm, Thursday 31 May 2001

For more information contact:
Professor Robert Wasson, Director, Centre for Resource and Environmental Studies 02 6125 4588
Bart Meehan, ANUGreen, Facilities and Services, 02 6125 4931
or Clarissa Thorpe, Media Liaison Officer, on 02 6125 5575 (w), 0416 249 245 (m)

No: 46/2001

© 2000 Marketing & Communications Division,
The Australian National University.
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Last Modified Tue, July 16, 2002