Environmental deterioration threatens the continuity of bios – life – the most precious possession on our planet. To save bios, an all-encompassing vision is essential. Since its inception in 1985 the Biopolitics International Organisation (B.I.O.) has been providing this vision and has been promoting initiatives for a global appreciation and protection of the environment.
Solving environmental problems involves social, economic, ethical, political and legal challenges. To respond to these challenges, education requires a radical shift away from intra-disciplinary entrenchment and into creative and thoughtful action for the development of the highest potential of each individual. The International University for the Bio-Environment (I.U.B.E.), launched by B.I.O. in 1990, acts as a catalyst urging scholars, decision-makers, diplomats, business leaders, and every concerned citizen to actively contribute to the building of an environmentally sound society. The present publication has been developed within the I.U.B.E. framework with the aim to:
- inspire decision-makers to place the environment at the core of all strategies and policies
- encourage universities and other educational institutions to adopt interdisciplinary curricula and to promote environmental thinking in all academic disciplines
- assist diplomats in influencing government policy for the furtherance of international co-operation in environmental protection
- motivate the development of environmentally compatible economic strategies, as well as indexes to measure the environment as the true wealth of humanity
- stimulate the implementation of existing environmental legislation on a global level
- raise awareness of the urgency of creating an International Court of the Environment to promote environmental justice
- encourage every individual to embrace environmental ethics and to join environmentally committed legislators, scholars, educators and business leaders in influencing governmental regulation of environmental issues around the world
When B.I.O. first embarked on its mission, it was our dream to see environmental dimensions at the core of every academic discipline and professional initiative. We began pursuing this dream by providing guidelines in the form of brief paragraphs, which later developed into complete chapters and, today, thanks to the progress of technology and the support of so many friends from around the world, into entire volumes. These volumes, hereby compiled in one edition, can be used as teaching modules in environmental education programmes or as reference manuals for research and information purposes.
For society to exit the crisis in values that has resulted in serious environmental threats, every citizen on the planet must be involved. The Olympic Spirit and cease-fire during the Olympic Games can encourage a global effort in defence of the environment. A World Referendum for the environment would result in a worldwide mobilisation for the reversal of destructive trends and would guarantee a brighter future.
Scope and purpose
“Bio-Syllabus for European Environmental Education” is a consummate educational publication including a wealth of information and reflections on the environment contributed by expert scholars, scientists, civic leaders, business professionals, artists, teachers and other inspired individuals from 123 countries around the world. It is a modular teaching implement, aimed at people of various backgrounds and interests and serving as a complete open and distance learning tool designed to enhance understanding and appreciation of environmental issues in every human endeavour. It comprises ten modules, presented in alphabetical order by subject for easy access, and also includes a reference section on the goals and philosophy of the Biopolitics International Organisation (see pages 761-880).
The reader is encouraged to develop an awareness of current concepts, as well as the ability to critically evaluate progress in the environmental field. Each module, which functions as a separate volume, deals with a different subject and provides:
· a theoretical background
· key environmental questions
· information on current concepts, facts and trends, policy and action
· models for study and implementation
· directions for further research
· a comprehensive bibliography
· a list of cross references from B.I.O.’s extensive reference library
Modules are further subdivided into units addressing various issues. The issues discussed interact in a number of ways, emphasising an interdisciplinary approach to environmental learning.
The B.I.O. cross-reference library is a vital part of this work. Over the past 17 years, B.I.O. has brought together leaders from diverse fields to present environmental concepts as they apply to their own area of expertise. This vastly rich material has been subdivided into topics and is now available as a comprehensive reference library on the environment. The library can be accessed electronically at http://www.biopolitics.gr and is also available on CD-Rom.
Acknowledgements
“Bio-Syllabus for European Environmental Education” was made possible thanks to the sponsorship of the European Commission and the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Printing of this volume was funded by the National Bank of Greece. My most heartfelt gratitude goes to all the B.I.O. sponsors who have contributed to our projects since 1985 (see pages 864-869) and, especially, to Mrs. Kitty P. Kyriacopoulos for her unwavering support.
This work is the result of the valuable collaboration of all the members of the B.I.O. team. I am deeply grateful to Helen Papadimitriou for a series of fruitful discussions and for her contribution to the final editing and perfection of all aspects of this publication. I am also grateful to Dr. Christos Efthymiopoulos for his overall contribution to the work of B.I.O. Several people were involved in the compilation and editing of the wealth of information and text provided, and their contributions are separately acknowledged in the respective sections of the book.
It is hoped that this work will serve as a stimulus for further research and study, enabling the implementation of environmental thinking in education and decision-making on a worldwide level. It is also hoped that it will raise awareness of the need to embrace environmental ethics in every human endeavour and contribute a new vision for the millennium.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the friends and supporters of the Biopolitics International Organisation in 123 countries, for believing in our efforts and for joining us in the race to save the environment.
Prof. Agni Vlavianos-Arvanitis
B.I.O. President and Founder
