Sustainable Development at Community level and in Schools?

Eco-villages

 

With a view to demonstrating ways of life which are respectful of the environment and lasting for the next generations, Government announced the implementation of the Eco-Village Project during the 2009 Budget. The implementation of the project was approved by Cabinet in November 2010. The project will in the first phase target 9 villages namely:

 

(i) Pointe aux Piments ;
(ii) Panchavati ;
(iii) Riviere Cocos Village in Rodrigues ;
(iv) Vieux Grand-Port ;
(v) Vuillemin ;
(vi) La Gaulette/Le Morne ;
(vii) Poudre D’Or ;
(viii) Clemencia ; and
(ix) Souillac.

The objectives of the project are:

•	To create awareness among the village inhabitants regarding conservation of energy , water conservation and protection, waste management, use of recycled materials , and other environmental friendly day to day activities that, in the long run, will protect the overall village environment;
•	To transfer knowledge to the village inhabitants in connection with the above mentioned issues;
•	To enlist community participation in the identification and implementation of both structural and non-structural measures required to convert their respective village into an Eco Village.

The project will be implemented over a period of 3 years, with the setting up of 3 eco-villages per year on average.

Three eco-villages namely Pointe aux Piments, Panchavati and Riviere Coco are being considered during the first phase. The project has started on 30 November 2011 and is expected to be completed by November 2014.

Training on YouthXChange

Lead Agency: Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development

 

Rationale:
•	The habit young people develop now play a decisive role in future consumption patterns. Their decisions as consumers exercise a growing influence on markets and lifestyles. Thus, the energy, motivation and creativity of youth are essential assets to bring about change.
•	UNEP and UNESCO have developed a kit called the YouthXChange, which is designed to help trainers and individuals to understand and communicate on sustainable lifestyles.
Progress:
•	The Ministry of Environment & SD has organised a Training of Trainers’ workshop for youth leaders. The YouthXChange (YXC) toolkit developed by UNEP/UNESCO in 2002 was used as a guiding tool.
•	Six (6) half-day workshops were held from 7 - 8th April 2009 and 14 - 16th April 2009. The workshop was organised on a regional basis to facilitate and encourage participation from all sectors. The objective of the workshop was to raise awareness on SCP and secure the participation of the youth for more responsible consumption and lifestyles.
•	The second phase of the YouthXchange Programme will be held early this year with the assistance of UNEP.
Benefits to be derived:
•	The project aims at enhancing the skills and knowledge of youth as well as teachers on SCP issues so as to broaden outreach for a sustainable Mauritius.

 

Capacity Building of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Environment Partners to promote Community Projects on Sustainable Lifestyles

 

Lead Agency:
	Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development
Rationale:
	NGOs are key players in influencing, educating, mobilizing and engaging people in projects and activities at the grass root level. The aim of the project was to sensitize and empower NGOs on sustainable lifestyles, so that they could in turn, develop community projects and activities at the grass root level to foster sustainable lifestyles. Some examples of proposed community projects on sustainable lifestyles are organic farming, eco-bazaar, rainwater harvesting, second-hand markets, eco-village, plastic-free zones, car-free zones, recycling projects, energy efficiency programmes, green spaces, landscaping, manufacture and use of eco-products, creation of small eco-businesses, eco- morcellement and eco- tourism projects.
Progress:
•	A one-day workshop was conducted at Clos St Louis, Domaine Les Pailles on 9th December 2009 in order to raise the awareness of NGOs on sustainable lifestyles.
•	The objectives of the workshop were to:-
	. Solicit the involvement of NGOs to drive projects and activities at the grassroots level on sustainable lifestyles. . Explore the possibilities of tapping funds from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme – United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as well as from Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds. . Share experience and lessons learned among NGOs and businesses on community projects to protect the environment. . Strengthen the partnership among NGOs, private and public sector and establish a strong network amongst stakeholders.
•	The workshop was attended by 58 participants including NGOs, corporate partners, local authorities, ministries and academic institutions.
Benefits to be derived:
•	NGOs play a constructive role involving informal education and grass root activities. Cumulative, small and simple actions of communities can help to change our current unsustainable lifestyles and help combat climate change.

Environmental Programme in Schools

Through Green Schools Projects, young people learn sustainability by living it every day at school, so that when they leave school these ideas will have become a part of their lifestyle. Sustained sensitisation campaigns in schools are being carried out on issues like water and energy conservation, composting, biodiversity conservation whereby primary and secondary school students are taught the basics of responsible behaviour. For example a major awareness raising campaign is being carried out in primary schools under the School Waste Segregation Project of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MoESD) whereby children segregate their waste aimed at recycling and composting purposes. To encourage the nurturing of endemic plants amongst the younger generations, the MoESD has also launched the School Endemic Garden on a national scale in all primary and secondary schools. The primary school Year 5 (Std V) curriculum is being reviewed to integrate concepts related to Education for Sustainable Development and & Sustainable lifestyles.

 

The Green School Project of the National Productivity and Competitiveness Council (NPCC) Green Productivity Programme is a learning-by-doing project which inculcates the secondary school population to care for the resources comprising the environment in the best possible way. The project not only involves students at school, but is also open to the school staff, Parent Teachers Association and ultimately to the community. The objectives are to improve resource use efficiency, facilitates the conversion of schools to green institutions and provides a platform for interaction and sharing of experience. A Green School Team comprising of students, teachers, parents, administrative staff is established to co-ordinate the programme at school level. A Green School Champion is identified to lead the project and training is provided for the facilitators. The best projects are assessed and rewarded.

 

Achieving sustainable development requires individuals to take a more responsible approach – and education is the key starting point. Green schools programs helps to develop responsible and green habits in our youth which will be with them for life.