The Mediterranean, a sea that has given rise to civilisations and religions, was the stage where exchanges, conflicts and developments took place and continue to do so to this day. If its people do not care for it, it is in danger of losing its incomparable natural wealth. The reason is the irresponsible use by not only the 300 million who inhabit its shores but also by the millions of visitors who flood its coasts, constituting a huge tourist industry.

The Mediterranean sea belongs to its marine life as well as to humans. Whether the natural environment of the Mediterranean will be able to overcome the huge difficulties that it faces, depends on our actions alone.

All life on this planet (including our own) is linked to other species, forming a chain of dependence, a pyramid of existence, each species needing one or more of the others to survive. If the chain is broken or the pyramid collapses, the consequences will certainly affect the existence of human beings.

The coastal areas and wildlife of the Mediterranean are threatened by uncontrolled coastal and tourist development and pollution (such as unprocessed sewage, oil pollution and toxic discharges). Wildlife is also endangered by interactions with fisheries and speedboats, which may cause injury and death.

Birds, fish, endangered turtles, dolphins, the few remaining monk seals and other marine species do not recognize borders: they fly, swim, feed and overwinter in the waters of one country, crossing over into the waters of another. Thus their protection and survival depends on the legislation of several countries and also on the attitude and behaviour of the millions of people who inhabit them. Unfortunately, although most of the countries have enacted laws, signed International Conventions and Provisions for the protection of the environment, these remain mostly on paper and unenforced. The Mediterranean, its peoples and its biodiversity continue to be under threat.

WHAT DOES THE KIT CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROTECTION OF THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA?

The educational kit for the Mediterranean Sea, was designed by MEDASSET (The Mediterranean Association To Save the Sea Turtles), the Greek Childrens’ Museum and Kalidoscopeio Publications. It aims to raise awareness of students and teachers on environmental issues, specifically concerning the fragile balance within the Mediterranean ecosystem.

What is an educational kit?
Educational kits are a new way of learning for a child, both at home and in the classroom. The educational kit offers more than printed material in a book – giving suggestions for activities and games around the issues in question. The presentation of the information in this attractive format encourages the child’s active participation in learning, while realizing the multi-faceted nature of knowledge.

The roles of an educational tool are to:
- Trigger the childrens’ interest and creativity.
- Increase their participation through games, activities and museum
visits.
- Develop an eco-conscience to appreciate their natural and cultural
environment.
It aims to help children to:
- Develop a group mentality for solving environmental issues.
- Acquire identification and problem-solving abilities required for the
marine environment.