Environment
the focus for two key groups
20
April 2001
While the University of Wollongong (UOW) has this week played host to the inaugural
Pacific Youth Caucus on the Environment another key group focusing on the environment
wind up their visit to Wollongong this weekend.
UOW this week has hosted the 2001 Young Environment Envoys Program consisting
of about 20 envoys representing the Asia Pacific Region.The program was initiated
in 1998 under the auspice of the United Nations Environment Program Regional
Office for Asia and the Pacific in partnership with the University of Wollongong,
Environment Australia and QANTAS.
The primary objective of the program is to identify future leaders in environmental
protection and sustainable management of natural resources in the regions of
Asia, the Pacific and Australia.
UOW is today (Friday) holding a forum for the envoys and Australian students
on 'The role of young people in decision-making for ecologically sustainable
development'. A dinner, hosted by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Gerard Sutton,
will follow the forum (dinner venue: Function Rooms 1 and 2 at UniCentre from
7pm).
Over the past week, the envoys have visited sites of environmental significance
including Environment Australia, ANSTO, Sydney Airport, national parks and the
Bicentennial Park at Homebush Bay. Tomorrow (Saturday), the envoys will visit
the Minnamurra Rainforest at Jamberoo and later the Booderee National Park at
Jervis Bay. They will attend an Illawarra Global Youth Service Day Gala Dinner
at the UniCentre, University of Wollongong, from 7.30pm. Awards will be given
to local young volunteers who have made an outstanding contribution to the community
at this dinner. They will be presented by Wollongong City Council.
Illawarra's global youth service day celebration
Meanwhile, events connected the Pacific Youth Caucus on the Environment also
draw to a close tomorrow.
The Global Youth Service Day organising committee invites the people of the
Illawarra to join with young people from over 14 different Pacific Island countries
in a celebratory event (Saturday 21 April), which is Global Youth Service
Day.
A free BBQ, and cultural performance including live music, will be on offer
at the University of Wollongong Ovals from 12.30pm. A day out for young people
and families alike, the event is also a chance to meet inspiring young people
who work hard in the community. Global Youth Service Day is being held under
the auspices of the Wollongong Youth Centre and Community Aid Abroad's International
Youth Parliament.
As well as the young delegates from the Pacific Youth Caucus on the Environment
and representatives from Wollongong's newly-formed Youth Advisory Committee,
the nominees for The Illawarra Global Service Day Awards will also attend.
The Pacific Youth Caucus on the Environment delegates will provide entertainment
by coming together in a human formation with a surprise environmental message
for the public. Everyone will be welcome to join the formation on the day.
For further information about the envoys contact Professor John Morrison,
Environmental Science Program, on (02) 4221 4377.
For further
information about the youth caucus and awards presentation at the gala dinner
contact Viisti Dickens on 0421 079 200 (mobile).
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