Learning by sharing

Briefly and happily write of 2 experiences where sharing enabled me to learn quite a bit.

Got an opportunity to co-ordinate a workshop on Conservation Education with Pranav Trivedi at the SCCS 2011 and quite enjoyed the experience at the energy filled event. After interactions over google-chat and telephones we decided that in the given time it would make sense to begin with what Conservation Education is and then to share our individual journeys - learning.

Share few slides from my presentation which talked of dilemmas in one of the last slides. Dilemmas like : Should conservation education be a separate subject or included in the overall structure by way or greening of curriculum? Do we make efforts and go out of our way to make our daily lives more conservation friendly? Do we value nature for nature’s sake?

Conservation Leadership Course (2011) organized by Tiger Watch at Ranthambhore was an invigorating event; discussions and experience-sharing in an informal setting interspersed with visits to the Ranthambhore National Park. Participants were from different academic - professional backgrounds which made it all the more interesting in that it was not the proverbial ‘preaching to the choir’.

Dharmendra Khandal suggested my giving an overview of the conservation scenario in India and I after quite a bit of pondering felt could do good by presenting the complexities and layers. I could enlist issues, culling out interesting lines from what little I have read, add relevant stories (individuals / organizations / projects) and help create space for agreements – disagreements. Share few slides.