| BG.1 | Echoes of the Past: The first Eco-Protests and the Fight for Environmental Justice | |
| Partner organization (who designed it) | SCAS | |
| Overall description(Tell us the story of this activity) | It’s fascinating to delve into the history of early eco-protests, as they lay the groundwork for the environmental movements we see today. The following interactive practice relies on the diversity of the group asking each participant to look for the first ecological protest or eco-cause in their country, city or community and share it with the group thus fostering storytelling, dialogue and discussion on eco-memories. | |
| Total Duration: | 1 hrs. introduction, 1,5 hrs. for individual research and 15 mins for presentation of each participant or group. | |
| Group size: | 5 -15 people. The participants should be from diverse backgrounds and age groups. If needed, the participants could be separated into groups. | |
| List of materials:(from pens to papers to Wi-Fi to an elephant) | Computers, Wi-Fi, projector. | |
| Activity’s objectives:(what do you want to achieve by delivering this activity) | Fostering storytelling, dialogue and discussion on eco-memories. To explore the historical context of the first environmental protests in Europe in it’s different areas.To examine the social, economic, and ecological factors that fueled these protests.To analyze the strategies and impacts of these early movements.To draw connections between historical eco-protests and contemporary environmental challenges.To facilitate collaborative reflection on the role of citizen action in environmental protection. | |
| memory archive timeline: information, picture and link. e.g. short story. | The first eco-protest in Bulgaria.1987, Ruse, Bulgaria Two years before the fall of the totalitarian regime in Bulgaria, citizens organize a rare sight – a protest, led by women against the air pollution in the city of Ruse, Bulgaria. The pollution was caused by a nearby factory. This is the first organized protest in Bulgaria as well as the first on an ecological topic.  Photo from the protest, national archives, Bulgaria. | |
| Step-by-Step Description | ||
| Time:(mins) | Activity Description: Include all the steps needed, Include notes for the facilitation. | |
| 20 mins | STEP 1. Setting the Stage The facilitator introduces the participants to the importance of eco protests and their impact on social and political change for the environment. The facilitator is free to choose exactly which examples to use. Otherwise he/she could use the example in the memory archive of the first Bulgarian protest. | |
| 20 mins | STEP 2. Asking questions Based on the presented examples the facilitator engages the participants in a discussion asking them key questions. If the memory archive example is used with the Bulgarian protest the questions could be:Why is the first protest ever recorded in Bulgaria so late (1987)?The key reason why the protests was at all allowed was because its leaders were mothers of young children who developed respiratory problems. What conclusions could be drown from this information? And others. | |
| 20 mins | STEP 3. Explaining the task at hand.Each person or group will have to identify an ecological protest and research information about it and its context. If someone from the group has participated in such a protest they could share about it. A presentation will be prepared and presented to the group. | |
| 1 hr 30 mins | STEP 4. Individual researchEach participant or groups does their own research and prepares materials to present to the group. | |
| 15 mins per ppl/grp | STEP 5: Presentations of memories Each participant or group presents their findings. | |
| 15 mins | STEP 6: Final discussions of what has been shared.What is the common between the shared protest? What are the differences? What has been achieved thanks to those activities? | |
| Extra information we need to take into account. Notes for facilitation etc (in case needed) | No | |
| Preparations for the activity:(what do you need to do, who needs to do it, etc.) | Facilitator needs to create a ppt. based on an eco-protest of their choice. | |
| Evaluation of the activity:(Describe how will you explore what worked, what did not, what should be changed, what as the impact, was the objective achieved and to what extent…) | Encourage participants to share their reflections and insights.Use open-ended questions to explore their perspectives on the relevance of historical eco-protests to contemporary issues.Facilitate structured discussions to gather information about participants motivation, feelings and thoughts on the topics. | |
| Expected Outcomes: What are the expected learning outcomes, social outcomes, or other benefits. Describe how it contributes to collecting and sharing socio-ecological memories. | Increased historical awareness;Intercultural dialogue facilitation;Intergenerational dialogue facilitation;Improved environmental literacy;Inspiring civic engagement; | |
| Appendices(If relevant – handouts, internet links, etc.) | ||
Echoes of the Past: The first Eco-Protests and the Fight for Environmental Justice
