The Norwegian hunters' association some time ago surprised with a new, somewhat controversial idea. The new project assumes that children should be prepared to be hunters from preschool age. The project called "Absolutely Wild" is to be implemented and financed from the financial pool of the Ministry of the Environment, and the project co-financing amount is 1,2 million crowns. What more is known about its assumptions? What are the goals of the originators?
Norwegian hunting association: "We teach children to hunt from an early age ..."
“We undertake activities tailored to the needs of kindergartens and schools to familiarize children and young people with the riches of nature, especially the resources of wild nature. - says in an interview with Dagsavisen Espen Farstad, Information Manager at NJFF (Norges Jeger- og Fiskerforbund, Norwegian Hunters and Anglers Association).
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food emphasizes in its records and speeches that the idea is to go back to the roots, to what has always been natural in the Norwegian mentality and history. Fishing and hunting ensured survival in Norway.
“For centuries, our survival in Norway was possible thanks to hunting and fishing. It is important to educate children and young people to continue to make good use of the surplus natural resources, ”says Dagsavisen Widar Skogan (KrF), secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.
The Norwegian hunters' association refutes the allegations
As you can imagine, this idea met with considerable opposition - especially from the pro-ecological circles. Members of the association itself resisted all accusations, saying that the purpose of the program is not to encourage children to use violence from an early age. According to its originators, the program is purely educational. Children should calmly learn about the laws of nature and nature at the opportunities offered by their age. Hunting has been part of human nature for centuries - this is how the members of the association explain the assumptions of the project. During the classes, children will also get to know the beautiful wild nature - its multi-color and multidimensionality. It is very important and necessary. Education in Norway it is very important. We will probably find out in a few months how everything will look like in practice.
