National Environmental Education Programme (NEEP)

Objectives and Plans for 1998/9

The National Environmental Education Programme (under the auspices of the Swaziland National Trust Commission) is Swaziland's programme that is that has been mandated by the Swaziland Environmental Authority to co-ordinate and promote Environmental Education in Swaziland. NEEP has the role of co-ordination, promotion and support of environmental awareness projects carried out by other organisations, both governmental and non-governmental.

1. Plan to produce a quarterly environmental newsletter (Swaziland National Environmental Newsletter, or Swaziland National Conservation Newsletter).
   • Objective: The newsletter will be a link and keep all environmental awareness groups informed of what is taking place, what has happened, who is doing what on what area, and to inform groups about environmental activities for commemorative days in Swaziland.
   • Strategy: All organisations directly involved and active in implementing environmental awareness in Swaziland will be asked to provide progress reports. Workplans for individual groups would have to be assessed to determine whethere there are overlapping programmes or environmental awareness activities. Each group or organisation would have to alert NEEP of planned activities. This information could be included with other conservation news in the newsletter.
2. To produce and disseminate information on environmental education and consolidate the NEEP Centre's Library
   • Objective: NEEP has been established to co-ordinate, facilitiate, support and improve environmental education awareness in Swaziland.
   • Strategy: NEEP will store and reproduce local environmental awareness materials. A library is being established in the centre. The library will be for use by all who are interested in obtaining information needed for an environmental project in their communities or groups. The staff will assist in any way possible to provide this information by photocopying of available material. This service will be provided at a charge sufficient to cover costs. NEEP staff will be available to attend workshops as resource persons.
3. To start workshops in the tinkhundla areas, town centres, community centres, members of parliament and government ministries.
   • Objective: NEEP's goal of promotion, organisation and motivation of personal application of conservation practices, e.g. litter recycling, chemical handling/personal protection, water and soil conservation.
   • Strategy: Working in liason with the Yonge Nawe Community Officer, to organise environmental education workshops. Existing youth organisations such as 4-S, Scouts, Girl Guides could be mobilised to spread awareness in their communities.
4. To use the public media for the promotion of environmental awareness
   • Objective: Promotion of environmental awareness through the use of the national media
   • Strategy:To collaborate with the Malolotja and Mlawula Environmental Education centres, ministerial organisations, NGOs and other environmental groups in the spread of environmental awareness using the media. At present, there is a fifteen minute radio slot utilised by Yonge Nawe which needs contributions.
5. Staff training
   • Objective: Training of staff in order that they can carry out their functions
   • Strategy: Preparation of proposals for scholarships or other sources of funding for staff training.