I have been involved in environmental education elsewhere and seen the changes over a relatively short span of time: people can change, there is always hope. It is immensely rewarding.
The most effective work is done through schools but there are other ways of reaching kids. The idea is that the children can influence their parents.
I was dismayed to see a school group visiting the Zona Colonial and the children were chucking their disposable cups and crisp packets under the noses of their teachers. Not wanting to be the complaining foreigner I kept my mouth shut, but felt like telling the teachers that they had failed in their task as educators.
I would love to be part of any campaign to promote environmental responsibility, and an anti litter campaign although it may sound trivial, in relation to the really big pollution issues, it is a great starting point because the results are so tangible. Not just the reward of a cleaner environment, but the realisation that individuals can make a difference.
I'll let you into a secret. I do have a teeny weeny axe to grind here. I was taken on by the environment ministry a year ago to help design a major environmental awareness campaign. It did not get past the initial proposal stage and I was later told that the money intended for the campaign, which had come from a foreign donor organisation, was being diverted to another use. As this is hearsay I will not post it on the forum but if anyone wants to hear where I was told the money did go instead, you are welcome to PM me.
Maybe we here could put this right and do something through DR1 which would reach a wider audience? After all, we are mainly preaching to the converted here.
I am going to have a think about this and urge you all to do so too.
Chiri
|