Education and nature in European education

Europe has its unique history on which the Western conception of democracy, culture and life style are mainly based on. The mixture and variety of status, cultures, languages and identities makes Europe particularly interesting for educational research. The book series European Dimension in Education and Teaching aims at giving voice to both researchers and practitioners to address importatnt educational issues. The main aims of the book series are to increase mutual understanding of education and ecudational systems in different countries and promote democracy and the development of democracy through education. Knowledge of the cultural, historical, geographical, lingustic and political backgrounds is a base for European understandig and cooperation. We hope this series also inspires researchers and practitioners in their thinking and everyday work towards a better future of our children and youth in Europe and beyond. The articles are published both in English and the authors mother tongue to enlarge the readership and to ensure that also the nationally relevant and interesting issues have a place in the volumes. In this book reader can find articles of authors from the following countries: Austria: Pia-Maria RABENSTEINER Helmut ZWANDER Finland: Marita MÄKINEN Italy: Franz COMPLOI Latvia: Andris & Ilze KANGRO Norway: Aage JENSEN United Kingdom: Geoff COOPER Jane BELL & Alan HUTCHINSON & Rony REA & Paul RICHARD