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An Action Research Study to Improve Facilitation Skills Using the Program ‘A Council of All Beings’

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 June 2015

Terri Kozak
Terri Kozak*
Affiliation:
Division of Australian Environmental Studies, Griffith University, Queensland
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Extract

Environmental education seeks to involve people in solving environmental problems. Hence, some environmental educators facilitate programs that focus on the development of skills through direct involvement in action programs, such as Waterwatch. However, many people do not feel confident and/or skilled to initiate, plan or undertake action projects. Therefore, environmental educators also facilitate programs that focus on helping people develop the motivation, skills and confidence to engage in action programs, such as A Council of All Beings. Facilitation of these two different forms of programs needs to build on the strengths and capabilities of the people involved so that their skills and perception of themselves as agents of change are enhanced (Kieffer 1984). Effective facilitation skills are essential for environmental educators because they often deal with contested issues, want to foster critical thinking among people and often mediate between community, government and individuals. The purpose of this paper is to: (a) demonstrate the relationship between empowerment, facilitation and social change; and (b) report on an action research process in which I sought to improve my skills in facilitation by using the program A Council of All Beings.

Type
Research Article
Information
Australian Journal of Environmental Education , Volume 11 , 1995 , pp. 39 - 48
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1995

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