Thematic Networks

One of the basic activities of Environmental Education Centres is the organization and co-ordination of thematic networks in local or regional, national and international level. Thematic networks help the collaboration of schools that realise environmental programmes with common or similar themes, all over Greece, and co-ordinate their incorporation into larger, thematic units.

School networks can be founded by

• The Regional Administrations of Education
• Environmental Education Centres
• Institutions supervised by the Ministry of Education, Life-long Learning and Religious Affairs or the Local Authorities
• Non-governmental, non-profiting environmental organisations

The Ministry of Education, Life-long Learning and Religious Affairs, however, is always responsible for the supervision of all thematic networks.

There are definite advantages for schools that participate in Thematic Networks organised by E.E.C.s, since Networks:

• Ensure an organised scientific, methodological and pedagogical support for environmental programmes realised in schools
• Contribute to the development of communication and collaboration among environmental school groups of different areas
• Provide a continuity in the relationship between E.E.C.s and schools
• Give the opportunity for working for a common cause
• Encourage the interaction of ideas, experience and information, as well as the initiative and organised action of students and teachers alike (active citizens), towards sustainability
• Offer opportunities for teacher training and life-long learning
• Involve teachers of both levels of compulsory education (both primary and secondary school teachers) into fruitful collaboration

National Thematic Networks constitute, in fact, well-organised programmes of environmental education.

• Teachers/ co-ordinators of E.E.C. in collaboration with scientific consultants are responsible for the design of networks, based on current educational principles
• Networks are implemented according to the latest educational methods
• Their principles and objectives approach the environment in a holistic way
• They are based on education through experience
• They combine cognitive and psychokinetic experience
• They are implemented through a student-oriented approach