FOREWORD

The General Assembly (GA) of the United Nations (UN) through its Resolution A/C.2/61/L.16/ R.1 dated 4 December 2006 declared 2008 as an International Year of Sanitation (IYS).

The resolution expressed concern on the slow and insufficient progress made in achieving the global sanitation target, and recognized that progress can be made through active commitment and action by all States, including at the national and local levels, as well as United Nations agencies, regional and international organizations, civil society organizations and other relevant stakeholders. As such, the main thrust of the advocacy and promotional activities during the year will be on:

Raising awareness of the importance of sanitation and its impact on achieving other
MDGs, from three perspectives: hygiene, household sanitation and wastewater.
Encouraging Governments and its partners to promote and implement policies and actions for meeting the sanitation target.
Mobilizing communities, particularly women’s groups, towards changing sanitation and hygiene practices through sanitation-health-education campaigns.

The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) will work as mandated by the General Assembly, as coordinator of the International Year of Sanitation, in broad partnership with stakeholders including UN agencies, NGOs, the private sector and academic in raising awareness and accelerating progress on sanitation.

CONTEXT OF THIS WEB CONTENT

This resource book has been developed as a simple guide to celebrate environmental days in Zambia. It is a supplementary teaching and learning material for use by teachers and community leaders to enhance environmental education and sustainability.

In schools, teachers may select and develop activities that are suitable to their school level and locality (both urban and rural). The Calendar at the center page can assist in planning EE activities in the school, including the design of school-based policies. Communities can use this resource to plan activities for the commemoration of the special days. Schools and communities are encouraged to work together.

HOW TO USE THIS WEB CONTENT

Background information is supplied for each special day
Key questions are posed for each special day to stimulate class and community discussion and a deeper understanding of these complex issues
Suggested activities are not a prescription, but examples of what teachers, students and communities could do as projects and in support of formal learning. Some curriculum links are presented as illustrations. Please come up with your own activities and modify suggestions as appropriate.
It is important to plan properly, observe safety first, involve as many key stakeholders as appropriate, document your activities (text, photo, graph, etc.).
This booklet is a tool for starting environmental action and a point for reflection on previous and intended actions.
You can also use this booklet as a way to bring schools, institutions, business and communities to, work together to ensure a healthier local environment.
Find more contacts to network with. Only a few have been suggested.