On the 18th of November, the Dublin Writers' Museum was the stage for ECO-UNESCO's National Youth Forum and the launch of the newly developed ECO-Choices programme – An alternative approach to drugs prevention, through environmental education.
Michelle Corrigan and Minister Pat Carey with the ECO-Choices pack
"I just want to say I enjoyed the day and it was nice meeting other people, so thank you!"Michelle Corrigan
Youth Reach Centre, Dublin
Fifty-four young people, between 15 and 18 years old attended the event, and some of them came from as far from Dublin as Tralee (Co. Kerry)!
Participants from 10 different schools and 2 youth service providers were involved in this initiative! ECO-UNESCO thanks them all for their brilliant participation. Nine of them are now members of ECO-UNESCO!
During the forum, the young people were invited to discuss current issues like "the implications of the depletion of oil reserves for the environment and the society" or "Global Warming". The discussion themes were completely chosen by the participants, and all the conclusions are their own work. Here are some of their interesting conclusions:
Green group: "We depend on oil for transportation and heating (...) because we are a rich society, (...) it is easier not to look at environmentally friendly alternatives (...)"
Red group: "Human societies can help solve the problem of global warming by (...) putting taxes on companies that emit carbon, Advertising tourism in Ireland so people don’t fly as much, Provide more grants to develop renewable energy technology, charge for waste bins but not for recycling bins (...)"
"Choices for the future" was the theme of this forum. Hence, all groups pledged a choice that they want to make for the better future of the environment and of the world. The groups' choices follow:
Green group: "Always Switch off gadgets and appliances when not being used!"
Red group: "To be aware of the environment and how my actions affect it"
Blue group: "To encourage more recycling in schools and to help reduce the amount of energy used"
Yellow group: "Follow the 3 R’s of Waste"
Participants were also invited to take part in a survey to find out what are young people’s views on the subjects of the environment.
In the afternoon, Minister Pat Carey, Junior minister of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs launched ECO-UNESCO's innovative ECO-Choices programme. This programme tackles with drug prevention through environmental education activities and action-projects. The young people attending the forum had their says about the Irish drug prevention politics, which were very well welcomed by the minister.
The success of the day was notable! Everyone had a great time and took home important lessons and "thinking material".
Here are some of the participants’ appreciations of the forum, and photos of the day:
"I have learned how to make a difference in my home and local community"
Mercy Mount Hawk Secondary School, Tralee, Co. Kerry
"I have learned from the day that you can do so much MORE little things to help the environment"
Scoil Colaiste de Hide, Dublin
"I liked the games we played because they make me think about how the environment influences all our lives"
St Louis High School, Dublin
Credits: Photos by Erica Cacciotti.