Raising public awareness of the Stockholm Convention on POPs in Ukraine.
This project focused public awareness efforts on secondary school education programs and textbooks. First, Mama 86 and associated experts studied the programs and books. The study found that school textbooks are silent about POPs and the Stockholm Convention. Analysis of textbooks and manuals on organic chemistry for secondary schools suggest that school pupils get some information on pesticides. All examined education programs note the need for information on the roles of chemicals in natural processes and in human life and on adverse environmental and health impacts of some chemicals. The major objectives of modern education incorporate an update of the contents of natural sciences education programs of secondary schools and higher education facilities by information on toxic chemicals, particularly on POPs. It is also necessary to provide information on options of addressing these problems. Mama 86 made specific policy recommendations for an information strategy to strengthen public knowledge of POPs in the education system.