In the thesis, we analyzed community education and the work of organizations in a local environment. The analysis was based on the case of the organization Eko krog, an environmental group, which tried many years to stop a cement factory Lafarge in Trbovlje. In the theoretical part, there is first a description of geographic characteristics of Trbovlje, which includes both natural and social characteristics. Based on already performed analyses and other data we exposed the highly polluted air and other environmental issues in the area, which all occurred during Lafarge Cement d.o.o. This is followed by a description of Trbovlje’s cement factory and the Eko krog organization, their work and action against the French corporation. Typical traits of community education, to which the last theoretical part of the thesis is dedicated, were recognized in the latter. The empirical part shows results of the undertaken research, which was divided into a geographic and an andragogic part. Interviews with the mayor of Zagorje ob Savi and the mayoress of Trbovlje are included in the geographic part, while the andagogic part presents interviews with Eko krog’s president and its other members, as well as a survey, which was evaluated from both perspectives. The objective of the survey carried out in the two municipalities was to uncover as many information as possible regarding mayoral support, Eko krog’s establishment, their agenda, the community education of its members and the wider local community. Through this we gained the locals’ opinion on Eko krog in connection with the closing of Lafarge Cement, which was mainly seen positively due to cleaner environment, despite there being a higher unemployment rate.
The foundation of Eko krog was encouraged by civil initiatives, which reacted to the cement factory’s lack of the required permits. Together with their acolytes they won in court in 2017 and the factory had to be closed. Throughout the trial, community education played an important part, as knowledge from more assertive and educated members of Eko krog was spread to other members as well, thus strengthening the group. The locals were being informed about Eko krog’s work and educated on environmental issues and Lafarge Cement d.o.o. through different media.
Community education achieved its goal in this mission – the locals became aware of the negative influences of the cement factory and became active in their local environment. With supporting the organization Eko krog they set a good example of a successful battle against multinational corporations in Slovenia and worldwide.
|
