PASA Education Conference 2009

From March 2-6th 2009, Innocent attended the PASA Education Workshop in Nairobi, Kenya with Chimfunshi Board members Dr. Mark Bodamer and Doug Cress. The conference had 25 delegates from 16 African sanctuaries, as well as a few representatives from zoos in Europe.

The three main goals of the conference were:

• to assist each sanctuary in implementing a successful education and communication program that promotes awareness and protection of primates and their habitats

• to motivate and build the capacity of local sanctuary staff members to increase education and communication programs efficiently

• to provide a comprehensive overview of education and communication skills and theories including programs and instructional design, education and communication theory and practical activites

The main event of the conference was a workshop on Designing Education Programs. It was run by Barb Cartwright and Jetta Jones from IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) who went over the ADDIE system for education (Annalysis --> Design --> Development --> Implementation --> Evaluation). The IFAW also provided a training session on dealing with the media and writing press releases.

There were two other topics for the conference, one being a session led by Renaud Fulconis, the executive director of Awely, a French association that sponsors projects on animal-human conflicts and education programs, on dealing with Human Wildlife Conflict Resolution. The other workshop included a graphic artist to help sanctuaries develop effective sanctuary signage.

The highlight of the conference however, came on March 3rd when Richard Leakey came as a guest speaker and to present the AZA 2008 Education Awards. These awards commended those organizations that were working to continue the legacy of conservation education in African Sanctuaries. Leakey presented several awards, including one to Chimfunshi. In Innocent's own words:

"It was a very great moment for me because I didn't expect it. You know me and my camera; I was busy taking pictures of the recipients and didn't realize that they had called out Chimfunshi. Doug had to call out my name before I put my camera down."

Touching the Moon

Experiences make the best teaching tools. When you are told about something, it might sink in. When you see something, you might remember it. But when you DO something, it becomes a part of you.

The Chimfunshi Research and Education Center aims to lead the world into understanding and experiencing the conservation issues of today. Whether you come as a volunteer, a school group, or simply a tourist passing through, we hope that some of your experiences go with you and help shape the rest of the world.

Through this blog, we will share our own educational insights from programs we are running, to the insight of a small child visiting. Volunteers, students, researchers, teachers, visitors and staff will share their experiences with you, and hopefully, you will begin to feel what they have learned yourself.