Unit 1: Significance, importance and scope of EPD

Part 1

1. Significance and importance of EPD

Dialogue n°1

(Dialogue between two persons: Modou and Malicoumba)

Modou: For some time now you have been talking about EPD. What does it really mean?

Malicoumba: Whenever you see a foal leaping in broad daylight be sure that something is threatening its life.

Modou: Yes. but what does it really mean?

Malicoumba: In our days, individuals, families and groups are faced with problems which arise from the rapid growth of population and a degradation of the environment which immediately results in a decline on the quality of life. What I want you to understand is that your well being as well as that of the society can be negatively affected if the population continues to grow very rapidly, because such rapid growth gives rise to unwise exploitation of natural resources such as water. trees, land in order to satisfy human needs.

Modou: How is this possible?

Malicoumba: Rapid population growth increases the demand for food, for housing for energy, which in turn leads to an intensive exploitation of the environment. This deteriorates the quality of life. Therefore when you hear of EPD, it is precisely the totality of concerns and problems which result from the combination of rapid growth and the degradation of the environment which result in the deterioration of the well being of the individual, the family and the society that you need to understand and try to find out effective solutions to guarantee and improved quality of life for all generations

Modou: I see!

Malicoumba: As you can see, there is therefore a link between the environment, the population and the quality of life. It is like a tree which to grow needs to be rooted in the soil and to take from the soil all it needs for its growth and the man you takes care of the tree so that it would bear fruit. This man must constantly bear in mind the importance of this tree in his own life and in the environment.

Modou: But how can you help such a man to understand the links between population, environment and the quality of life?

Malicoumba: We need to educate the man. Such that would enable him to:

· tackle the problem bearing in mind all its aspects;
· find solutions to the problem;
· participate in activities to improve the quality of life.

Modou: Such an education is truly important!

2. Scope of EPD

Malicoumba Yes indeed. It takes into consideration the concerns and needs of young people, those of society. Without trying to be exhaustive here are some of the areas covered by this type of education:

· sexual education in the family;
· the rights of women and development
· precocious sexuality
· the education of youths
· youths and STD/AIDS
· the empowerment of youths in the area of reproductive health;
· rural exodus and its consequences
· deforestation and its consequences;
· the destruction of the environment;
· the pollution
· consequences of poorly spaced birth;
· moral decline and family life education.

Modou: Thank you, Malicoumba. I know more about EPD

Dialogue n°2

1. Significance and importance EPD

Abdoul meets his friend Binta who has just returned from an EPD Summer Camp. Binta is wearing a T-shirt with EPD symbol boldly displayed on it. Abdoul is curious and wants to find out more about EPD, its meaning coverage and method.

Abdoul: What is EPD

Binta: EPD is an acronym which stands for Environment. Population. Development. It is a programme designed with the aim of assisting people to master the daily problems of life and as 1 am sure you are well aware we are confronted at present with problems in such areas as health pollution security, etc.

Abdoul: Ok. but what is the importance of EPD?

Binta: Let us take the example of the inadequately spaced birth. In such a situation, the mother is usually unable to take good care of herself and her children, especially of her health and her own education.

Abdoul: I get you especially as one realises that without education, one cannot contribute to the development of one's society!

Binta: Yes, and notice also that with the rapid growth of population that poorly spaced births can bring about, there is also the danger of a decline in sanitary conditions around the home and in the society.

Abdoul: In short, this could also lead to degradation of the environment, all which retard the development of our countries.

Binta: Thus you can see how this problem of poor child spacing, like any other problem, has consequences on the environment, on population and on development.

Abdoul: I can now appreciate the importance of EPD which is an educational programme which takes into consideration the roles of environment and population in sustainable development.

2. Scope of EPD

Abdoul: You have explained the significance of EPD, now I would like to know its scope of action.

Binta: Yes we have discussed poor birth spacing and its consequences. But beyond that, EPD has a very large scope which touches on different domains of life.

Abdoul: Which are these?

Binta: EPD covers the following areas among others:

· The reproduction health of youths;
· population and development;
· marine and coastal erosion;
· sexually transmitted diseases;
· sanitation;
· youth and environment;
· deforestation
· desertification;
· the degradation of ecosystem;
· unplanned urbanisation;
· food shortage;
· salinisation of the soils;
· pollution;
· rural exodus.

Part 2: Questionnaire

Exercise n° 1 From this dialogue: 1. Indicate the links between environment population and quality of life problems; 2. Identify the main characteristics of EPD; 3. Mention EPD advantages; 4. Identify interrelations or interactions that each theme present; 5. Can you find out others EPD themes? (One at least).

Answer Yes or No to the following propositions (justify). 1. EPD is an NGO; 2. drug consumption does not concern EPD; 3. EPD is the study of demography; 4. EPD applies to school; 5. young people training in EPD will preserve them from early pregnancies and STD; 6. EPD allow to make the difference between population, environment and development problems.