April 2009, Syria 'During spring and early summer the Syrian
countryside blossoms. From the rolling hills in its northern
limits to its vast southern plains, Syrian countryside is
covered in a wash of colour,’ says Lubna, a young UNRWA teacher,
to her class of eight to ten year olds. Lubna is attempting to
build an awareness and appreciation of the natural environment
that surrounds her pupils. 'For me this is as relevant as
teaching how to write and read, because it is only through
raising eco-awareness amongst our children that we, as
Palestinians have a chance of attaining a really durable and
better future wherever we might be’. Lubna is a member of the
Education Environment Committee, which was formed by a group of
UNRWA teachers. The group aims to promote environmental
awareness amongst Palestinian children and encourage community
participation in environmental activities through the Agency’s
network of schools and social centres. Many of the children in
Lubna’s class live in refugee camps, and are sadl