23. Охорона навколишнього середовища – справа всієї нації (Environmental protection – nationwide concern)

The Earth is the only planet in the solar system where there is life. Since ancient times Nature has served Man giving everything he needs: air to breathe, food to eat, water to drink, wood for building and fuel for heating his home. For thousands of years people lived in harmony with the environment.

As the society is getting more technologically advanced there are more negative effects on the environment made by human activities. However, living in the world with no pure water and air is neither pleasant nor safe. More people are becoming concerned about terrible consequences of human ignorance, negligence, and greed.

In recent years the pollution problems have received great publicity. The media began to campaign against the ugliness of billboards, tin cans, and trash. The protection of natural resources and wildlife is becoming a political programme in every country. The 5th of June is proclaimed the World Environmental Day.

Nowadays there are many different public organizations which try to draw the public attention to environment problems. One of them is “Greenpeace”, which was founded in 1971. “Greenpeace” acts against nuclear tests, radiating threat, pollution of the environment by waste industrial products, and for protection of the animal world, etc. “Friends of the Earth” is another famous pressure group with an international reputation. It campaigns, among other things, for recycling and renewable energy, and against the destruction of wildlife and habitat.

The pollution problem is extremely complicated because much pollution is caused by things that benefit people. For example, exhaust from automobiles causes a large percentage of all air pollution. But automobiles provide transportation for billions of people. Factories and plants pollute air and water, but they provide jobs for people and produce goods that people want and need. Too much fertilizer or pesticide can ruin soil, but fertilizers and pesticides are important aids to the growing of crops.

We must review our wasteful and careless ways. We must consume less and recycle more. Many kinds of wastes can be recycled. Some, including cans and newspapers, can be used over and over again for the same purposes. The world must also switch to renewable energy sources like sunlight, wind, and biomass because they produce no air or water pollution, involves no toxic or hazardous substances, and poses no threat to public safety.

To protect nature people should change their attitude to it. They should stop taking from it everything they need and give it their love instead. Otherwise the payoff will be too high. In fact, today we have a simple choice – either to turn to nature or to destroy ourselves.

24. Освіта упродовж життя (Lifelong education)

Throughout the last decade the concept of life-long learning has continued to gain popularity. Organizations in the twenty-first century are challenged to quickly adapt to industry changes and rapidly identify solutions for obstacles or barriers that the organization encounters. Through the lifelong learning process, individuals develop the capacity for addressing this organizational need. Key characteristics of lifelong learning include duration, learner-centered perspective, multi-level and multi-subject learning, and open access.

The core concept of lifelong learning is that individuals learn from cradle to grave and that each individual progresses from one learning level to the next throughout their lifetime. Each learning event is a continuous progression to the next learning event and never isolated or a means to an end in itself.

Lifelong learning also focuses on the learner rather than an instructor or trainer. The learning process often involves a facilitator but the facilitator should be skilled at providing an educational environment that allows the individual to enhance and engage in his or her own learning objectives. The learning format and content should be designed with the learner in mind. Lifelong learners require choices and educational experiences that fit within their lifestyle. The educational activity should balance the needs and convenience of the organization with individual learner's need in order to maximize the learning outcome. Lifelong learning activities are also designed for multiple learning styles. Experiential and applied learning as well as tutorials and self-directed content are often embraced by lifelong learners.

Lifelong learning encompasses all levels of educational acquisition and in an infinite number of subjects. It includes skill training, credential requirements, as well as social interests. This education may be in the form of formal education or training that is offered both as credit and non-credit in a variety of venues. It also occurs through non-formal means such as libraries, museums, manuals and mentors.

Lifelong learning should be accessible to all individuals regardless of age, race, ability, prior qualifications, workplace role or sociodemographics. Innovative delivery formats help to ensure that the learning activities are accessible to anyone that is interested in participating.