A new handbook published by the Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology (EGST) was officially launched at The Third Annual Conference on Environmental and Sustainability Education conducted in Hossana College of Teacher Education from June 3-4, 2019.
Representatives of the Colleges of Teacher Education Network and Theological Seminaries Network and EGST’s Director-Delegate jointly inaugurated the publication while Professor Aklilu Daleleo, the lead author presented complimentary copies to the colleges.
The new publication dubbed as ‘Environmental and Sustainability Education: A Handbook for Teacher Education and Theological Colleges in Ethiopia’ is aimed at serving pubic and theological colleges in Ethiopia and co-authored by environmental studies and theology specialists.
Published by the Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology (EGST), the handbook was an outcome of a collaborative project by two institutions, namely, the Center for Environmental Stewardship and Holistic Development (CESHoD) at the Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology (EGST); and Institute for Environmental Education and Communication (INFU) at Leuphana University of Luneburg, Germany. As indicated in the acknowledgment of the book by EGST Director, Rev. Dr. Misgana Mathewos, the project was aimed at empowering colleges of teacher education and theological seminaries in Ethiopia to address environmental and sustainability issues. The Director appreciated the cordial partnership between EGST and INFU and their respective directors during the initiation of the Project, namely, Dr. Desta Heliso and Prof. Gerd Michelson.
In his ‘Foreword’ to the handbook, Prof. Dr. Maik Adomßent from the Institute for Environmental and Sustainability Communication (INFU), Leuphana University, Lüneburg/Germany highlighted that ‘there is an apparent lack of practical experiences and approaches that effectively manage to engage professional educators in higher education with Education for Sustainable Development in the context of a developing country from the Global South.’ He positively noted that ‘there are good examples and this book is a living proof for such a fruitful north-south collaboration of Ethiopian and German partners who worked in a joint project that has been funded by the famous Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.’ ‘The present Handbook is a key outcome of this common endeavor. May this compendium sow the seeds for future generations of educators in Ethiopia to come!’ Prof. Dr. Maik envisioned.
Introducing the book to the conference participants, Professor Aklilu Dalelo, principal author of the book indicated that the handbook will serve as a key teaching material and reference to the public and theological colleges in Ethiopia.
In a volume of 197 pages and nine chapters, the handbook covered issues related to Education for Sustainable Development in Teacher Education Institutions; Environmental Stewardship in Theological Institutions; Environmental and Sustainability Education in Africa; Environmental and Sustainability Problems in Ethiopia; Policy Responses to Environmental and Sustainability Problems in Ethiopia and The Case of Environmental Health Education (EHE) in Action.
Printed by SIM Press the book can be cited as Aklilu Dalelo, Addise Amado & Misgana Mathewos (2018), Environmental & Sustainability Education: A Handbook for Teacher Education and Theological Colleges in Ethiopia. Addis Ababa: EGST-CESHoD. Its ISBN Number is 978-99944-73-07-6.
For further information contact EGST at:
Email: ruth@egst.edu.et
Website: www.egst.edu.et
Tel.+251 113 690769
[Source: EGST PRC, June 6, 2019, Addis Ababa]