EARTH CHARTER YOUTH CONTEST

3 YEARS PROJECT

SUMMARY OF PROPOSAL

Green Cross has launched an annual Earth Charter (environment and sustainable development) story telling with drawings contest for children in 13 nations. National winners will be eligible to participate in an international contest, award ceremony and an environmental education seminar. The project is envisioned to run for 3 or more years. A single page popular version of the benchmark draft of the Earth Charter is reproduced in section 7. The description and rules of the contest are presented in section 8.

1. RATIONALE

The target population includes teachers and children (ages 6-18) in the areas covered by 13 participating Green Cross national organizations reported on below in section 3 (for 1998).

Teachers and students need to understand that the transition to a sustainable future will require basic changes in the values, attitudes and behavior of civil society, government and the private sector.

International Declarations as the Declaration on the Responsibilities of the Present Generations Towards Future Generations adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO on 12 November 1997 contribute to increase the consciousness of values change.

Ultimately, sustainability will depend on the decisions citizens make about the lifestyles they wish to pursue, e.g. although water may be provided free it is a finite and priceless resource essential to human survival and it is becomingly increasingly scarce in many cities and regions.

Successful information dissemination and education will create value change ... eventually influence politicians ... improve the local environment for the people in the region ... save the biosphere ... and all humanity will benefit.

The 3 year project supports the Green Cross long term commitment to several Program Themes: Earth Charter, Water and Desertification (in year 1), Consumption Patterns/Energy (in years 2 and 3) and of course Environmental Education. An introduction to Green Cross Principles and Programs is presented in section 9.

2. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The 3 year goals of this project include:

• Contribute to the successful launch of the Earth Charter to the peoples of the world and the UN in 2002 by the Green Cross - Earth Council team;
• More broadly disseminate and localize environmental education material that is available from the Internet and other sources;
• Motivate 21 Green Cross national organizations to become even more comprehensively involved in introducing environmental education issues and topics into their local school systems; establish strong and effective working relationships with teachers and school systems as the medium for our long term environmental education program and
• Inform, motivate and educate teachers and students as enumerated below.

   

Objectives by end of year 3 include :

• 3 important environmental issues covered: Water, Energy & Air;
• Training material identified/localized/provided;
• 20 or more nations involved;
• 20,000 schools participating;
• 100,000 teachers motivated, trained and actively participating
• 2,000,000 students motivated, trained and teaching their parents.

3. PLANS OF NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS & PARTNERS

3.1 Plans of Green Cross National Organizations

COUNTRY	RESPONSIBLE	COMMENTS
Argentina	Marisa Arienza G. Machteubery	Aggressive plan with 100 bilingual schools for 1997/98 ; Combine a singing contest with a drawing contest ; Plan to expand in 1998/99 school year
Burkina Faso	Ousséni Diallo, D. Quattra	Will implement in schools and also with children who are not going to school ; support from Ministers of Environment and Education ;
Czech Rep	Danuse Kvasnickova	In depth expertise in environmental education; about 50% of schools to be covered ; distribution of booklet
Germany	Thomas Wittstadt	Aggressive plan together with X-Mag, the monthly magazine for youth by Weltbild-Verlag ; Present in South of Germany, Support from Lander Ministers of Environment and Education
Italy	Elio Pacilio	Major commitment and expertise; 1300 schools involved in 1997/98 school year; will also manage the global project; National prize giving ceremony on 26th of June
Japan	Masatoshi Yoshida, H. Nagashima	Will involve own monthly publication "Rescue & Rebirth" sent to 20,000 volunteers (including 5,000 members) + national media to implement. National prize giving ceremony on 5th of June
Korea, South	Yong Shin Kim	To expand existing school contest program ; 80,000 students involved
Romania	Nicolae Stefan	Parnership with others NGOs ; 400 schools involved
Russia	Olga Viazmina Sergej Baranovsky	Very professional University level environmental education program; Youth Contest in 6 regions of Russia
Swaziland	Kenneth Sithole	Project is launched in 50 schools or more with the support of Ministers of Education and Environment.
Sweden	Tonia Moya	Informative material realized, sent and 100 schools involved ; National ceremony on 01th June
Switzerland	Simon Greuter Flurena Doppler	Managed by Green Cross youth ; In selected schools only ; Material sent to 5.000 teachers
USA	Susie Harpham	Focus on California and Indiana in 1997/98
Total		Portions of 16 or more nations in 1997/98

Project Manager: Green Cross Italy, Mr. Elio Pacilio (e-mail: pacilio@tin.it),

National Prize-giving Ceremony: Generally on the United Nations Environmental day, June 5th

International Prize-Giving Ceremony: Second part of September 1998

3.2 Related Organizations and Resources

Potential partner organizations and resources identified until now are listed below together with their Internet URL address. Each web site is rated as to usefulness to Green Cross, teachers and students as regards support material for the Earth Charter -Water Focused environmental education effort.

ORGANIZATION	INTERNET WEB SITE URL	USEFULNESS
Canada Env Min	http://www.doe.ca/water	Good
Dupont	CD ROM	Good
Earth Council	http://www/ecouncil.ac.cr	Good
ERIC Clearinghouse Info	http://ericir.syr.edu/About	Very Good
GC Czech Rep		Good report
Green Cross International	http://www.gci.ch
Global Rivers Educ. Network	http://www.econet.apc.org/green	Excellent
GLOBE, USA Gov (Al Gore)	http://www.globe.gov/ghome/educators.html	Good
Michigan, University of EE-LINK ENV. EDUC.	http://www.nceet.snre.umich.edu/	Excellent Starting Point
Montana, Univ. of, WET	http://www.montana.edu:80/wwwwet/	Very Good
OECD	http://www.oecd.org	To review
OCEAN 98	http://www.ocean98.org/	Nor freshwater
Stockholm Env. Institute	http://www.sei.se/
UN CSD	http://un.org/dpcsd/dsd/freshwat.htm	28 pages report
UNESCO	http://www.unesco.org	Good
USA AID GreenCom	http://www.info.usaid.gov/environment/	Good
USA Env. Agency	http://www.epa.gov/OGWDW/kids	Good
USA American Water Works	http://www.awwa.org/bluethumb/	Very Good
Wisconsin, University of	http://clean_water.uwex.edu/index.html	Gold Mine
Verde Ambiente		The Leader
World Resource Institute	http://www.wri.org/	Good

National organizations can use the material available from the above organizations and web sites to prepare local support and guidance kits tailored to the local program and local target audience.


3.3 Potential Key Partners on the Project

Mr. Federico Mayor, Director General of UNESCO, has written that he fully supports the project and will be member of the Honorary Committee. Expectations are that a global airline and an amusement park will support the international award ceremony and seminar. Hopes are that a major consumer products company, a global water company, a computer software/hardware company and global communications company will also support the project.

The Italian Florence Art School accepted to constitue the jury of the international Contest.

4. THE EARTH CHARTER / BENCHMARK DRAFT - BRIEF POPULAR VERSION

Earth is our home and home to all living beings. Earth itself is alive. We are part of an evolving universe. Human beings are members of an interdependent community of life with a magnificent diversity of life forms and cultures. We are humbled before the beauty of Earth and share a reverence for life and the sources of our being. We give thanks for the heritage that we have received from past generations and embrace our responsibilities to present and future generations.

The Earth Community stands at a defining moment. The biosphere is governed by laws that we ignore at our own peril. Human beings have acquired the ability to radically alter the environment and evolutionary processes. Lack of foresight and misuse of knowledge and power threaten the fabric of life and the foundations of local and global security. There is great violence, poverty, and suffering in our world. A fundamental change of course is needed.

The choice is before us: to care for Earth or to participate in the destruction of ourselves and the diversity of life. We must reinvent industrial-technological civilization, finding new ways to balance self and community, having and being, diversity and unity, short-term and long-term, using and nurturing.

In the midst of all our diversity, we are one humanity and one Earth family with a shared destiny. The challenges before us require an inclusive ethical vision. Partnerships must be forged and cooperation fostered at local, bioregional, national and international levels. In solidarity with one another and the community of life, we the peoples of the world commit ourselves to action guided by the following interrelated principles:

• Respect Earth and all life. Earth, each life form, and all living beings possess intrinsic value and warrant respect independently of their utilitarian value to humanity.
• Care for Earth, protecting and restoring the diversity, integrity, and beauty of the planet's ecosystems. Where there is risk of irreversible or serious damage to the environment, precautionary action must be taken to prevent harm.
• Live sustainably, promoting and adopting modes of consumption, production and reproduction that respect and safeguard human rights and the regenerative capacities of Earth.
• Establish justice, and defend without discrimination the right of all people to life, liberty, and security of person within an environment adequate for human health and spiritual well-being. People have a right to potable water, clean air, uncontaminated soil, and food security.
• Share equitably the benefits of natural resource use and a healthy environment among the nations, between rich and poor, between males and females, between present and future generations, and internalize all environmental, social and economic costs.
• Promote social development and financial systems that create and maintain sustainable livelihoods, eradicate poverty, and strengthen local communities.
• Strengthen processes that empower people to participate effectively in decision-making and ensure transparency and accountability in governance and administration in all sectors of society.
• Advance and put to use scientific and other types of knowledge and technologies that promote sustainable living and protect the environment.
• ...

In order to develop and implement the principles in this Charter, the nations of the world should adopt as a first step an international convention that provides an integrated legal framework for existing and future environmental and sustainable development law and policy.

5. DESCRIPTION AND RULES OF THE CONTEST

5.1. Theme of the Contest

The contest has both a general background Earth Charter environment and sustainable development theme and a focused water theme in 1997/98.

The general background Earth Charter theme is well described in the benchmark draft version which is presented as section 7 and in greater detail on the Internet web sites of Green Cross International and the Earth Council.

The focused water theme is described in the 1997 UNESCO + WMO 22 page pamphlet titled "The World's Water ... is there enough ?" In the Foreword Messrs. Mayor and Obasi state:

"The availability of fresh water is one of the great issues facing humankind today -- in some ways the greatest, because problems associated with a lack of water or the pollution of water bodies will affect virtually everyone on the planet.

The regions of the world that face shortages continue to grow in area and number. The concern is that, while the rising population demands more water, this finite resource must also satisfy the needs of every other form of life. The result could be a series of local and regional disasters and confrontations leading to a crisis of global proportions. Indeed, issues concerning the fresh waters of the world highlight the dilemma facing humankind. Can competition between the environment and development be transformed into a partnership between the two, so that the goal of sustainable development is attained?"

Water is the essence of life. Most of the human body indeed consists of water. It is no coincidence that civilizations grew along waterways and coastlines and that the control of water supplies has been a contributor to conflict and even war. We have to keep in mind that water is a renewable but limited natural resource. Although water covers 70% of our planet's surface 97.5% of the earth's water is saltwater and only 2.5% is freshwater (and only 0.8% is usable). The unbalanced distribution of water resources and wasteful consumption practices have heightened the critical nature of freshwater availability. The use of outdated technologies in the distribution network often cause the loss of a high percentage. The inefficient use of water in agriculture, industry and at home has led to a bad situation: millions of humans have no access to this basic element (with all the consequences this brings in terms of hygiene, farming, nutrition, economic development, quality of life and the very survival of human beings).

5.2. Types of Work To Be Presented/Considered

Youth under the guidance of teachers are asked to narrate the theme of the contest with drawings (or for the older youth with the optional media described below):

• Drawings - Youth should communicate their story through drawings, using any technique or material (preferably natural and/or recycled products however). They may use up to 5 plates with maximum dimensions of 50x70 cm each. Captions are allowed.
• 14 through 18 years old youth will have the option to also submit the media described below:
• Comic-strip - Older youth may elect to use techniques typical of comic-strip story telling. Number and size of plate restrictions remains the same as for drawings.
• Photographs - A story using photographs must not have more than 10 photos, 15 x 18 cm maximum size. Color or b/w both acceptable. Explanatory captions are allowed.
• Multi-media - The duration of the film must be between 5 and 15 minutes. A copy of the cassette must be sent in VHS format. CD or computer software will be considered.

The following information must be attached to the entered work to facilitate the rapid identification of the candidate: family-name and first-name; year of birth; home address and telephone number; class level; name of school; school address and telephone number; name of teachers involved and teaching subjects; few personal data; very limited text of didactic explanation;( if work is a group activity, details about the group should be mentioned). Note: Green Cross takes ownership of all submitted work and no chosen or rejected work will be returned.

5.3. Eligibility and Age Groupings

Youth of ages 6 through 18 years from participating schools/regions may enter the contest. The competition is open to children from Youth Clubs or associations. Participation as teams/groups rather than as an individuals is acceptable and welcomed. Participants will compete within three age groupings: 6 through 10 years old; 11 through 13 years old; 14 through 18 years old.

5.4. Evaluation Of Works Presented And Selection of Winners

Works received shall be examined first by a national Jury made up of judges chosen and announced for this purpose by the local Green Cross National Organization. The three 1st prize winning works per age grouping from each national contest will be submitted to the international evaluation process where selection will be made by an institution-jury to be selected and announced by Green Cross International with the assistance of the Honorary Committee in advance. The decision by the named "jury" shall be final in all cases. Each jury will select 3 winners per age grouping, i.e. 1st place, 2nd place and 3rd place. Thus 9 works will get recognition as prize winners in each national contest and 9 works as well for the international contests.

5.5. National Prize And Award Ceremony

The national prize shall be decided and announced by the participating Green Cross national organization in advance. Ideally, the top three entries of each age grouping shall be awarded a cash prize which should be allocated to projects focusing on environmental problems affecting their own region and be tied-up with the annual theme of the competition, e.g. Fresh Water in 1997/98. A tree should be planted in the school yard of the winners to act as a living symbol of success in the competition.

The national award ceremony shall take place on 5 June 1998, Environment Day, and be open to the public. In addition to the prize, each winner shall be awarded a certificate.

5.6. International Prizes, Award Ceremony and Environmental Education Seminar

For each of the 3 age groupings, the international cash prize per ranking of the work will be as follows: 1st prize - $ 5,000; 2nd prize - $ 3,000; 3rd prize - $ 2,000. It is stipulated that the cash award must be used by the winners for an environment / sustainable development project that relates to the theme of the competition. Winners are encouraged to invest their winnings in a project in a developing country.

The international award ceremony shall take place in September 1998 most likely in France, Germany, Italy or Switzerland (depending on sponsorship, budgets and related arrangements).

If adequate sponsorship is achieved, it is envisioned that one youth (student) per winning work per each national contest will be invited to take part in the international award ceremony and that one or possibly 2 teachers plus 1 representative of the local Green Cross will be asked to accompany the 3 national 1st place winners, i.e. 3 to 6 travelers per participating nation to participate in the international award ceremony and environmental education seminar. If sponsors can not be found for expenses like air tickets and accommodation/meals then the number of youth and teachers participating in the international event will be reduced to possibly only the 9 international winners.

© GCI May 1998 / Contact us at