
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.