Making of Local Agenda 21 through Participatory Learning : Case Study of Eco-city SHIKI

Abstract

  Environmental education in today's Japan is mainly focused on children and school. Environmental education for adults is not yet an issue. We tend to have most interest in the radical phases of civil movements for the protection/conservation of the environment.

  But we know through the experience of environmental pollution edcation since the 1960s, at the starting point of each citizen's individual involvement in civil movements, they had some chances to learn. And through this learning they become concerned parties. Especialy, learning methods like workshops and particitatory learning work efficiently as spring boards for setting goals and starting actions.

  In this paper, I try to clarify the characteristics of participatory learning through the example of the making of local agenda 21 by the citizens' group ‘Eco-city SHIKI’. It will show the process of raising the consciousness of citizens as subjects of self education through making an environmental plan.