Block your dates from November 29th – December 2nd 2018 to be at the Hanifl Centre for Outdoor Education and Environmental Study, Woodstock School, Mussoorie. Along with the Asian Studies Center and University of Pittsburgh, Hanifl will be jointly hosting a five-day academic conference on Himalayan Environmental Education and Policy.
The goal of the conference is to develop a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary understanding of environmental problems in the Himalayan region. Also to formulate recommendations on how best to address these issues, and to develop public understanding and awareness of Himalayan environmental challenges, along the mountain range.
A secondary goal would be to develop strategies that will enable students at all levels of education to “learn from the Himalayas” through outdoor, experiential study and engaged participation in environmental programs.
A third, practical goal is to use insights gained from the conference to enhance the curriculum of the three University of Pittsburgh Study Abroad programs presently based at the Hanifl Centre.
A fundamental assumption is that with increased public awareness based on education, an understanding of the nature and extent of environmental problems in the Himalaya, will be put into use for development and implementation of effective policies.
The conference hopes to highlight the insight on experiential educational programs taking advantage of the Himalayan region as a vast, outdoor classroom. It will also attempt to bring to the forefront the challenges of climate change and the importance of conservation and sustainable, environmentally conscientious development.
The panelists come from home and abroad comprising of Joseph Alter, Stephen Alter, Ravina Aggarwal, Kathryn Hardy, Kireet Kumar, Brian G. McAdoo; Dhritiman Mukherjee; Maharaj K. Pandit; Jiban Mani Poudel; Sushil Ramola; Mahesh Rangarajan; Gopal S. Rawat; Alark Saxena; Ghazala Shahabuddin; Pasang Yangjee Sherpa; Sanjay Sondhi; Sejal Worah and Valentine Zuin all masters in their field of work pertaining to the Himalaya.
