 |
 |
RGS-IBG Annual Conference 2010, 1st-3rd September, London UK A Sponsored Session of the Geographies of Children, Youth and Families Research Group Children, young people and 'sustainability' Convenors: Sophie Hadfield-Hill (Centre for Children and Youth, The University of Northampton) Professor. Pia Christensen (Institute of Education, University of Warwick) Dr. Stella Hart (Institute of Education, University of Warwick) Dr. John Horton (Centre for Children and Youth, The University of Northampton) Dr. Peter Kraftl (Department of Geography, University of Leicester) The aim of this session is to explore children and young people’s awareness of the environment and sustainability to further our theoretical understanding and to inform and contribute to future policy regarding children as agents of change. Children and young people have an ambivalent status within contemporary discourses of 'sustainability.’ On one hand, a growing range of research illustrates how younger people have considerable agency in fostering environmentally-sustainable behaviours in diverse contexts. On the other hand, however, major contemporary policy agendas relating to environmental, economic, political or social sustainability - notably the UK Government’s Sustainable Communities Plan - seldom make reference to children and young people. We seek the sharing of perspectives on children and young people’s perceptions of the environment, climate change and sustainability, as well as an exploration into their actions on individual, household and community levels. Actions including, but not limited to: reducing energy consumption, recycling and buying locally. To date, adult perceptions of these issues and environmental behaviour have received much attention; as the children and young people of today will be the leaders of the future, it is necessary to examine their attitudes, concerns and knowledge about the environment. Whilst, environmental education is on the political agenda, we are interested in how this education is acted out within the home and local community. The potential of children and young people to be champions or environmental ambassadors within their local communities and schools is also of interest. The aim of this session is to explore theory and practice under the broad intersection of children, young people and sustainability. Contributors are encouraged from diverse contexts and perspectives, relating to the following topics: • Children and young people’s daily routines and sustainability • Case study examples of how to engage children, young people and families in environmental issues and sustainability • Sustainability and education • Environmental education within the home • ‘Sustainable communities’ and young people • Children’s use and understanding of environmental technologies • Children and young people as agents of change • Children, young people and families within contemporary discourses of sustainability Please submit abstracts (of no more than 250 words) to Sophie Hadfield-Hill ([log in to unmask]) by Friday 12th February 2010.