In this final work report of the year, the current initiatives and stage of implementation for the plans of project teams are presented. The contents of each work item are summarized below:
1. Leadership Academy: We implemented the environmental education policy priorities established by the Environmental Protection Administration, including the planning and implementation of regional “anti-cigarette ash and butt littering” and “air pollution” promotional campaigns along with related educational programs. Additionally, this project team also made “resource recycling” and “rural environmental education” the focus of local environmental concerns, pooling environmental education resources, planning corresponding environmental education programs, and collaborating with partners to facilitate the implementation of follow-up environmental education courses, workshops and activities.
2. Building Environmental Education Capacity: Striving to implement environmental education priorities and address local concerns, we held three workshops and environmental education activities on different topics and developed a two course series on key topics. In August, we organized an instructional seminar in Changbin Township, Taitung County providing assistance to indigenous peoples/rural partnership organizations on how to apply for environmental education-related subsidies. And in September, in accordance with governmental requirements, we organized a series of “anti-cigarette ash and butt littering” promotional campaign activities, which were implemented by local environmental protection bureaus and local partners. Responding to the needs of local partners for instructional seminars, we provided counseling and assistance to partnership organizations in applying for environmental education related program grants. In coordination with the Central Environmental Education Regional Center, we assisted in organizing the 2018 Environmental Education Regional Center Results Presentation, and extended invitations to our partners in the eastern region to participate.
3. Technology to Support the Field: We continue updating the content on the Environmental Education Regional Center website along with the specialized environmental education information database for regional partnership groups and related organizations in the region. Additionally, we continue optimizing the content and presentation of our bimonthly e-newsletters, publishing on schedule the first Monday of alternating months and having a total of four issues in 2018. In June, August, October and December, we convened online conferences with colleagues from the other five environmental education regional centers and representatives from the Environmental Protection Administration to discuss work initiatives and exchange ideas.
4. Research and Evaluation: In accordance with the Environmental Education Regional Center Operational Self-Management Target Index Table and in reference to the recommendations provided by an external expert advisory committee in 2017, after conducting internal performance reviews each project team will complete an Environmental Education Regional Center Operational Self-Management Assessment Report. A minimum of five external experts will be recruited to form a committee and convene a Performance Assessment and Appraisal Committee Conference in November. This committee will use the information in the self-management assessment reports as the basis to provide project teams with suggestions and recommendations on how to make modifications and improvements in their work.
5. Dissemination Partnerships: Through extending invitations and meeting exchanges, we have established 64 partnerships. In accordance with the 2018 environmental education policy priorities and local concerns, we promoted eight environmental education activities on different topics in coordination with partnership organizations/private enterprises. Additionally, in July, we invited environmental education partners from the three counties along the eastern region to participate in cross-regional partnership exchange meetings held in Hualien.
