Fostering a Green Future: The Role of Environmental Education in Community Empowerment

Higher education equips youth with the requisite knowledge and skills for navigating environmental education and sustainability. The current study aims to test a comprehensive model for integrating environmental education and sustainability principles within the higher education ecosystem. The model emphasizes problem-based and service-learning approaches, technological integration, and behaviour change models to foster environmental education, and community engagement and enhance overall well-being. In this study, researchers examined the impact of curriculum, extracurricular activities, and community engagement as independent variables on dependent variables namely environmental education, sustainability, and well-being while also considering the mediating role of the undergraduates' awareness level. Data was collected from a higher education academic Institute in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The variance-based structural equation modeling (SEM) technique using Smart-Partial Least Squares (PLS) software was used to test these hypothesized relationships empirically. The study findings revealed a significant positive impact of curriculum development, extracurricular activities, and community engagement efforts on elevating undergraduates' awareness levels. Awareness levels mediated the effect of environmental education, sustainability, and well-being, highlighting the need to integrate environment-related topics into academic and extracurricular activities. This underscores higher education's potential to shape eco-conscious leaders by infusing environmental education into academic life. These findings have implications for higher education institutions, policymakers, and community organizers, emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach to environmental education for a sustainable society. By fostering environmental awareness among youth and integrating it into broader societal initiatives, educational institutions can play a crucial role in shaping a generation committed to sustainability and well-being.

The current study investigates the effect of Public Relations Campaigns in environmental education and attitudes toward environmental sustainability, and behavioral intentions among university students in the United Arab Emirates and Egypt. The questionnaire was applied to a sample of 712 male and female students from Al Ain University in the UAE and Minia University in Egypt. Theoretically supported by the theory of planned behavior (TPB), structured questionnaires were used for data gathering. Data was analyzed using partial least square–structural equation modeling (SEM), which revealed the positive effect of Public Relations Campaigns on providing environmental education and awareness among UAE Emirati and Egyptian students. Results showed a positive effect of Public Relations Campaigns on the students’ attitudes towards environmental sustainability. Finally, the effects of Public Relations Campaigns on the behavioral intention of the UAE Emirati and Egyptian students also remained positive. Overall, the results imply that Public Relations Campaigns significantly improve environmental education, shape positive attitudes toward environmental sustainability, and affect behavioral intentions among UAE and Egypt university students. These results emphasize the significance of PR initiatives in encouraging environmental awareness and promoting pro-environmental behaviors within educational settings. Also, the results highlight the effectiveness of Public Relations Campaigns in creating trust between organizations and the public while encouraging social responsibility. The study makes a dual contribution: theoretically, it expands knowledge on the relationship between public relations strategies and environmental awareness among young academics, a group influential in societal change. Practically speaking, it provides practical recommendations for educational institutions and environmental stakeholders on how to design more effective public relations campaigns to target university students and increase their level of environmental engagement.

Poor mental health is an under-recognised burden in rural locations. This is evident in suicide rates that are 40% higher in rural communities than in urban ones, despite a similar prevalence of mental disorders. The level of readiness and engagement of rural communities to adapt or even acknowledge poor mental health can impact effective interventions. For interventions to be culturally appropriate, community engagement should include individuals, their support networks and relevant stakeholders. Community participation guides people living in rural communities to be aware of and take responsibility for community mental health. Community engagement and participation foster empowerment. This review examines how community engagement, participation and empowerment were used in the development and implementation of interventions aimed at improving mental health of adults residing in rural communities. Databases CINAHL, EmCare, Google Scholar, Medline, PsychInfo, PubMed and Scopus were systematically searched from database inception to July 2021. Eligible studies included adults living in a rural cohort where community engagement was used to develop and implement a mental health intervention. From 1841 records identified, six met the inclusion criteria. Methods were both qualitative and quantitative, including participatory-based research, exploratory descriptive research, community-built approach, community-based initiative and participatory appraisal. Studies were located in rural communities of the USA, UK and Guatemala. Sample size ranges was 6-449 participants. Participants were recruited using prior relationships, project steering committee, local research assistants and local health professionals. All six studies underwent various strategies of community engagement and participation. Only two articles progressed to community empowerment where locals influenced one another independently. The underlying purpose of each study was to improve community mental health. The duration of the interventions ranged from 5 months to 3 years. Studies on the early stages of community engagement discovered a need to address community mental health. Studies where interventions were implemented resulted in improved community mental health. This systematic review found similarities in community engagement when developing and implementing interventions for community mental health. Community engagement should involve adults residing in rural communities when developing interventions - if possible, both with a diverse gender representation and a background in health. Community participation can include upskilling adults living in rural communities and providing appropriate training materials to do so. Community empowerment was achieved when the initial contact with rural communities was through local authorities and there was support from community management. Future use of the strategies of engagement, participation and empowerment could determine if they can be replicated across rural communities for mental health.

Purpose: This study explores the application of the prophetic approach in community empowerment for the development of sustainable Pesantren. It aims to investigate how environmental education, integrated with Islamic teachings, can enhance human awareness and commitment to environmental preservation within the context of Pesantren. Method: The study is based on a case study of Pondok Pesantren Islam Modern (PPMI) Assalaam, utilizing qualitative research methods. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, document analysis, and direct observation. The analysis focuses on understanding the implementation of environmental education programs and the prophetic approach to community empowerment at PPMI Assalaam. Result and Conclusion: The concept of Green Pesantren at PPMI Assalaam involves integrating environmental education with Islamic teachings and social values, leading to a balanced education approach. Two main programs, the Adiwiyata Program and the Ekopesantren Program, are implemented to promote environmental awareness and sustainable practices within the Pesantren community. The study finds that environmental awareness among the community members influences their beliefs, knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors, contributing to environmental preservation efforts. Additionally, community empowerment at PPMI Assalaam is based on environmental consciousness, community empowerment principles, and the prophetic approach, emphasizing not only physical and social development but also spiritual growth and deeper connections with God. This holistic approach enriches empowerment theory with transcendent elements, providing a profounder understanding of human development and societal change. Implication of the Research: The findings of this study have implications for environmental education and community empowerment initiatives within Pesantren and similar religious educational institutions. By integrating the prophetic approach, Pesantren can enhance their efforts in promoting environmental awareness and sustainable practices among students and the broader community. Moreover, the study suggests that a holistic approach to community empowerment, encompassing spiritual and transcendent dimensions, can lead to more meaningful and sustainable societal change. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the understanding of how the prophetic approach can be applied to environmental education and community empowerment within the context of Pesantren. By integrating Islamic teachings with environmental principles, Pesantren can play a significant role in fostering environmental stewardship and sustainable development. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of considering spiritual dimensions in empowerment theory, offering new insights into holistic approaches to community development.

Issue: Strengthening community action, as proposed in the Ottawa Charter, is key to achieving public health goals within a whole-of society approach to health. Community engagement is not a simple intervention as it is shaped by community contexts and policy agendas that can either constrain or enable local action. This has implications for developing an evidence base. Description of problem: Changes in UK policy and programme funding have led to a fragmented evidence base and many participatory models not achieving sustainability. To inform an update of public heath guidance, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence commissioned an independent, systematic scoping review to understand UK community engagement policy and practice. This paper presents findings from the documentary analysis of policy themes and concepts. Results: After systematic searching and screening, 40 policy and 30 conceptual publications were included and extracted data then mapped onto a matrix. We found that UK policy interest in community engagement in health threads through multiple sectors including health, local government and volunteering. Policy focus was not static; new concepts (eg social action) have emerged since 2000, while others (eg health inequalities) have less prominence. Local government was identified as a key policy actor. Community empowerment was a common theme but concepts were not used consistently. Lessons: Community engagement in health has policy significance but can lack visibility because it is applied across multiple policy areas and is cross referenced to different concepts. This is important for promoting intersectoral action involving communities and for building healthy public policy. Our conclusions are that community engagement is best used as a broad organising concept as it covers a range of policy areas and terms. This needs to be accounted for in building an evidence base for participatory methods within and between countries. Message 1 A mapping of UK policy since 2000 shows that community engagement in health can be promoted through a range of policy initiatives and sectors; however there is change through policy cycles Message 2 The evidence base on community engagement can appear fragmented, results from this policy analysis help identify related concepts and terms.

Improving community welfare is the main goal, of course, and one of the main goals of CSR. Companies can help and improve communities in social, cultural, economic, and physical areas by carrying out corporate social responsibility. By doing so, they can make the community feel helped in improving their welfare If someone offers them help, they tend to see it positively because it is evidence of gratitude and empathy shown. The use of appropriate theories to study community empowerment and capacity building of the River School, including community empowerment through CSR programs, River Schools as a model of environmental education, the role of PLN CSR in environmental education at River Schools, early environmental awareness through CSR and River Schools, the impact of CSR programs on community empowerment and independence. This study uses a qualitative approach with a case study of community empowerment through PLN CSR to explore early environmental awareness The location of this research was carried out in Gunung Anyar Tambak Village Rt.01 Rw.01 Surabaya, which is an area used by Bank Sampah by PT. PLN (Persero). The PLN CSR program involving various parties in environmental education has a positive impact on shaping the mindset of the community who are more concerned about environmental sustainability. Awareness built early on, especially in children and adolescents, is expected to produce a generation that is more responsive to environmental issues. Counseling involving schools in this sub-district has proven effective in building a deeper understanding, which can then be passed on to their families. Therefore, it is important for PLN to continue to assist the community, provide adequate facilities and infrastructure, and provide incentives or awards for those who succeed in protecting the environment and managing resources wisely.

Environmental Education and the Role of Media in Environmental Education in Turkey

Environmental education and awareness play a crucial role in promoting and protecting human rights in the modern world. As environmental degradation increasingly affects basic human rights such as the right to clean air, safe water, health, and livelihood, there is a growing need to integrate environmental consciousness into human rights discourse. This research paper explores the intersection between environmental sustainability and human rights, emphasizing how informed and educated communities can advocate for environmental justice and policy reforms. Through the analysis of case studies, policies, and grassroots movements, the paper highlights how environmental education empowers individuals, especially marginalized communities, to claim their rights and actively participate in decision-making processes. The study also discusses the role of educational institutions, media, and civil society in fostering awareness and encouraging responsible environmental behavior. Ultimately, the research underlines that environmental education is not merely about ecological literacy but is a powerful tool for achieving equity, justice, and sustainable development for all. Keywords – Environmental education, human rights, environmental awareness, sustainable development, environmental justice, marginalized communities, climate change, public participation, environmental policy, empowerment.

Community empowerment and engagement is one of the four strategic aims highlighted in the WHO strategy to prevent and control snakebite envenoming. Inappropriate health-seeking behaviours contribute to adverse outcomes, and community engagement is key in driving behavioural change. WHO has highlighted East Africa as a geographical area of concern for snakebite envenoming. The overall aim of the project is to develop a community engagement toolkit for snakebite envenoming and other NTDs. The objective of this scoping review was to identify current practices in recent community engagement in rural East Africa; the applicability of these results to snakebite envenoming are discussed. PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO and Google Scholar were searched from 1 January 2017 to 3 September 2020. Search terms were used to identify publications which related to rural communities and health or disease, for both humans and animals. After reviewing the full papers for all geographical areas, 112 publications were included, 30 of which were conducted in East Africa. Papers included nine different countries and covered a broad range of health topics; notably, water, sanitation and hygiene, nutrition, and maternal and child health. Only one publication considered animal health. The most common form of engagement was in the context of a group meeting, lecture, presentation, discussion or question and answer session (63.3%). A variety of locations within the community were used to engage with people, the most common being an individual's household (23.3%). Communication factors was the key influencer for engagement, both positively and negatively. Key barriers to engagement include local languages and health beliefs, literacy levels, mobile phone ownership and the level of mobile Internet coverage, burden of agricultural work and weather conditions. This study provides an extensive overview of recent public health community engagement in East Africa, which will serve as a useful resource for any group seeking to plan an intervention in remote and rural areas in East Africa. Furthermore, it serves as a guide to help tailor community engagement to snakebite envenoming.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant public health challenge in Nigeria, particularly among nomadic pastoralist populations who face barriers such as geographical isolation, cultural differences, and mobility. These factors contribute to low case detection and poor treatment outcomes. This study evaluated a community-based, culturally adapted intervention aimed at improving TB case detection, treatment adherence, and community empowerment in Adamawa State, Nigeria. Methods: A mixed-methods approach was employed across three LGAs from July 2023 to December 2024. Quantitative data from routine health records assessed changes in case notifications and treatment outcomes; qualitative data from focus groups and interviews explored community perceptions and barriers. The intervention included culturally tailored education, training of pastoralist TB champions, and empowerment activities fostering local ownership. Results: The intervention resulted in a 72% increase in TB case notifications (from 22% to 38%; p<0.01) and improved treatment success to 94% (from 86%; p<0.05). Qualitative findings indicated high levels of accurate TB knowledge (78%), reduced stigma, and increased community ownership. Community volunteers played a pivotal role in bridging access gaps and fostering trust. Conclusions: Community engagement and empowerment strategies significantly improved TB detection and treatment among nomadic pastoralists. Scaling such approaches could be vital in Nigeria’s efforts to address TB among marginalized populations.

School gardens, which play an important role in environmental education, provide an opportunity for students to develop environmental awareness and gain environmental responsibility. In this study, which draws attention to this, it is aimed to reveal the applicability of the workshops prepared in the school garden in order to improve the environmental sensitivity of the students. The research was carried out with 10 female and 10 male 4th grade students in a public primary school in the city center of Bartin in the 2021-2022 academic year. The research was carried out with the action research design, one of the qualitative research methods. The data of the research were obtained through a scale developed by Peker (2020) and a semi-structured interview form prepared by the researchers. Quantitative data obtained using descriptive statistics and dependent group t-test statistical procedures; qualitative data were analyzed with content analysis technique. As a result of the research, it has been determined that environmental education workshops are effective in increasing students’ environmental awareness. Students stated that environmental education activities are fun, useful and instructive. As a result, it is seen that the workshops applied in the school garden increase the environmental awareness of the 4th grade students and the process has a positive effect on them. As a result of the research, it can be suggested that environmental awareness should be brought to students through school gardens and reflected in educational environments by organizing various activities that encourage positive attitudes.

Students are to be educated and prepared for engaging with communities. The term "community engagement" refers to activities to work collaboratively with and through groups of people to address issues affecting the social well-being of those people (Woronkowicz, 2018). Citizen participation is assumed to result in decisions that are better than could have been made with no involvement of community member (Ianniello et al. 2019). Higher education institutions promoting students' social and civic responsibilities through community engagement contribute to the socio-economic development of the country (Maistry, Thakrar, 2012, 65). At the same time, students and faculty benefit from applying their knowledge and skills to real world problems, which has been shown to have positive impacts on student academic performance, civic engagement, self-efficacy and self-esteem, and leadership capacity (Hahn et al., 2020). Therefore, the course "Participation Management: tools for citizen engagement and community empowerment" was created while implementing HEIsCITI project ("Higher Education Institutions as Innovative Triggers of Sustainable Development in European Cities in Post Covid-19 Era" (KA220-HED-96EB51E1)). The methodology is developed to prepare students for community engagement practice. The study aims at revealing students' opinion on piloted university study course "Participation Management: tools for citizen engagement and community empowerment". JEL Codes: I23, I25, Z13 Keywords: community engagement, participation management, students, university, Lithuania

This study aimed to find out how environmental education influences promising practices for sustainability and conservation in Aceh, Indonesia. We investigated how educational initiatives influence environmental stewardship awareness, knowledge, and action. Lacking environmental care and nonsensical practices requires propelling sensibility and assurance through regular tutoring. This study aimed to ascertain the efficacy of environmental stewardship education programs. This study employs a mixed-methods approach that combines qualitative and quantitative methods to investigate the impact of environmental education on practices that promote sustainability and conservation. Surveys and questionnaires, interviews, and observations are used to gather information about participants' knowledge, attitudes, and actions. The information gathered was then examined and deciphered to give bits of knowledge into the adequacy of ecological instruction programs and distinguish regions for development. After participating in environmental education programs in Aceh, the participants' knowledge, attitudes, and actions toward conservation and sustainability were found to have improved. In conclusion, environmental education is crucial in promoting sustainability and conservation practices. Raising awareness, fostering knowledge, and inspiring action empower individuals to become stewards of the environment, contributing to a more sustainable future. Based on the findings, enhancing environmental education initiatives in Aceh Province is recommended by strengthening partnerships among educational institutions, NGOs, and government agencies. Integrating practical hands-on activities and community engagement can promote sustainability and conservation practices.

In 1988, New York City’s West Harlem community had a problem. The recently opened North River Sewage Treatment Plant, which stretches eight blocks along the Hudson River, was doing a poor job of processing about 170 million gallons of raw sewage daily. Residents were concerned about the foul smells coming from the plant, and parents complained that their children were suffering from respiratory problems. The community knew it needed help, but it also needed something else: information on the exposures it was facing, on the health effects of those exposures, and on the courses of action open to the people. When the community mobilized months later to form West Harlem Environmental Action Inc. (WE ACT), it had taken the first step toward cultivating just that sort of environmental literacy.

Environmental education (EE) has garnered attention for its potential to improve human health through various mechanisms. This literature review investigates the multifaceted role of EE in enhancing physical activity, promoting sustainable behaviors, and fostering psychological well-being. The integration of EE into school curricula, such as through outdoor classrooms and school gardens, has been shown to increase physical activity levels among students, leading to improved physical health outcomes, including reduced obesity rates and enhanced cardiovascular fitness. Additionally, EE programs that focus on organic farming and local food systems significantly influence participants’ dietary choices, promoting healthier eating habits and reducing the risk of chronic diseases. Furthermore, EE initiatives that emphasize reducing plastic use and promoting recycling contribute to lower environmental pollution and associated health risks. Psychological and social benefits, including reduced stress and anxiety levels and enhanced social cohesion, are also highlighted as key outcomes of EE programs. The empowerment of individuals and communities to advocate for health-promoting environmental policies is another notable benefit of EE, as it fosters environmental literacy and policy engagement. Despite these strengths, the review identifies gaps in the current research, such as the need for standardized program designs, objective measures of health behaviors, and longitudinal studies to assess long-term impacts. Addressing these gaps will enhance the understanding and effectiveness of EE in improving human health. This review underscores the importance of continued investment in and expansion of EE programs to maximize their health benefits and contribute to sustainable public health improvements.