Within the project supported by The Christensen Fund, “Taalim-Forum” is working on integration of knowledge on biocultural diversity in education of schoolchildren.
Biocultural diversity is “the multi-faceted expression of the beauty and potential of life” (Luisa Maffi, “Terralingua”, read more)
Biocultural diversity can be called the basis, the foundation of life of humans. Humans cannot exist outside of nature; life of people depends on it. For millennia of human evolution, there were formed such relations with nature which allowed to survive at the expense of resources and gifts of nature. Since ancient times, people realized that you can take from nature, but take in reasonable limits; nature can grant abundance as well as put in the hard conditions by bringing disasters, droughts and floods, which may result in shortages and hunger. (More in the interview of A.Djumabaeva)
Knowledge that has accumulated among people in their relations to the land can be called traditional ecological knowledge, and the ways of living based on traditional knowledge can be called ecological culture. Traditional ecological knowledge and skills are disappearing, as well as people – local experts and sages, who treasured legends and stories that taught each new generation to honor and respect their land, value food, avoid excesses, fear retribution and punishment by the patron saint of animals, springs, the mountains and forests for negligent attitude towards them.
The songs glorifying the beauty of nature, farming methods - organic and wise, based on deep knowledge of local place, weather changes, diversity of flora and fauna – also are disappearing.
In order to restore the thread transferring traditional ecological knowledge and conservation of bio-cultural diversity, "Taalim Forum" is working on publication of children's books containing knowledge about nature and culture of Kyrgyzstan. Educational books for young children have been published in Kyrgyz language. (See the catalog of books).
For school-age children (grades 1-4) we are working on developing of the multimedia program to support teachers. Basically materials are focused on teaching the “Motherland Study” subject. A distinctive feature of our materials is that in addition to the standard curriculum materials, they contain extensive material on nature and culture of Kyrgyzstan. Variety of videos audio materials, images, graphics, text and even cartoons will help teachers to increase the interest of students in learning, to educate children in the spirit of respect for their native land and culture.
The multimedia program was presented to teachers. It is now in the process of testing and finalizing (More details about the program)
When the program will be completed, it will be in the open access to all teachers who will be able to download the program from our web-site.
