Photos from the 13th European Forest Pedagogics Congress, 2 – 5 October 2018 Pudasjärvi, Finland
Photos are free to use in the communication concerning the European Forest Pedagogics Congress. Photographer Vilma Issakainen, Finnish Forest Association, should be always mentioned. Large image is shown, when clicking on the small image.
- The theme of the congress was TOGETHER – How to involve and participate children and teenagers in learning, decision making and planning. There were almost 100 participants from 17 different countries.
- The congress was hosted by Finnish 4H Federation and Finnish Forest Association. It took place in the beautufil scenery of youth and leisure centre Pikku-Syöte.
- The opening ceremony of the congress was at Syöte National Park’s Visitor Centre. Oulu region mayor Pauli Harju welcomed the participants of the congress.
- Pudasjärvi showed it’s best to the guests: Farther Christmas, northern lights, reindeers and the first snow.
- Farther Christmas brough to all congress participants woolen socks, handmade by Taivalkoski and Kiiminki 4H.
- One congress day was spent at the Pudasjärvi Log Campus, the world’s biggest log school. Finnish Log industry was introduced at Kontio Log House Factory.
- Also the pupils of the Log campus participated the activities and workshops. The guests had pleasure to enjoy many music performances by pupils.
- Principal Mikko Lumme and Counsellor of Education Marjaana Manninen gave an introduction to the new Finnish National Core Curriculum. The aspect was forestpedagogics, emphasising participatory and multidisciplinary learning.
- Maria Ojala (Örebro University) described how to rise young people’s hope in the world fulled with environmental problems. It is essential to activate positive feelings, handle issues collectively and that the young people have trust on the grown upps’ world.
- The important part of the congress is to change ideas in the workshops. Professor Yusaku Hagivara from Japan arranged Leaf Battle activity.
- In Andreas Koenig’s (SILVIVA, Scwitzerland) workshop participants tried a new approach to learn photosynthesis: a wide game with educational content.
- Happy participants with Wilderness Diplomas. “Testing your wildlife skills in the forest” was one the workshops arranged by Metsähallitus.
- Local organisations were part of the programme in many ways. Pudasjärvi 4H arranged an art workshop using forest materials. They also had a local handicraft and souvenier shop together with Taivalkoski 4H.
- In the Forestdetective workshop participants explored nature following the 4H prinicipal ”learning by doing”. All together there were 18 different workshops and 13 shorter activities during the congress.
- Taivalkoski Vocational college offered a chance to try virtual tree logging with a moto simulator. The other end of the wood processing was introduced during the excursion to Stora Enso Oulu Mill.
- During the congress days the participants created collective vision about future forest. The vision was created by the help of Science Centre Pilke’s Bio Era vision table.
- The congress participants’ vision about the future forest. The question was: “What do you expect that the future forest will offer you?”
- Thank you for sponsoring the congress: Pudasjärvi, Finnish Forest Foundation, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ely center, The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. Photo Paul Moseley