The Regional Government of the Azores, through the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and the Sea and the Regional Secretariat for Education and Training, promotes a regional meeting on Environmental Education and Eco-Schools on September 5-7. With the aim of reducing the ecological footprint and saving public funds, the event will be held via videoconference, linking São Miguel, Terceira and Faial.

The promotion of this initiative, included in the strategy developed by the Regional Plan for Environmental Education and Awareness - PRESAA - follows the Regional Government's intention to share experiences among participants as they play a key role in the civic and environmental education of younger generations. With the knowledge acquired at the event, participants will be able to enhance their action in the areas where they are active, thus providing a contribution to a more environmentally responsible society.

During the meeting, technicians from the regional network of "Ecotecas" (Environmental Awareness Raising Centres) will promote workshops, lectures and interpretative tours to reinforce the link that has always existed with the Eco-School programme since its inception in 1999. The dynamics between "Ecotecas" and regional schools has evidenced positive results. In fact, the number of schools increased has increasingly increased in the Azores since its implementation. In the present school year, there are 97 Eco-School while in 2007/2008 there were 86 Eco-Schools. This initiative has been strongly supported by teachers, students and school boards.

The programme may be consulted at http://portal.sram.azores.gov.pt/ or at http://educarparaoambiente.azores.gov.pt. Those who are interested may request further information through the following email: [email protected].