Peace and Environment News* December 1990-January 1991
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Peace and Environment News * December 1990-January 1991 |
by Luiza Chwialkowska
The Environmental Youth Alliance conference held November 2-4 at Glebe Collegiate Institute was a big, busy, colourful and noisy success. It brought together 800 environmentally concerned students from across Canada. Participants shared and discussed a full range of environmental problems and solutions.
Information came from a wide spectrum of sources. Workshops were led by both students and experts. Topics ranged from youth club organizing to solutions for global ecological problems. Keynote speakers included Elizabeth May and David Suzuki, who advocated a "You Can Do It!" attitude.
For the forty teenagers who pulled together to organize this event, it was a lesson that no classroom could match. Drawing strength from Ottawa's SANE (Student Action Network for the Environment) and various school clubs, the group worked for five months and grew in size and strength in the process. For most, this was a first attempt at a project of this size and complexity.
Inspiration grew as ideas were shared by teenagers representing 50 different Canadian communities. The atmosphere was fun and hectic as successes were applauded and failures confessed.
One of the highlights of the three days of concepts and ideas was an awe-inspiring slide show by Jeff Gibbs, founder of the Environmental Youth Alliance (EYA). The show gave each person a concrete image of what he or she was working for. Photographs of luscious ecosystems contrasted grotesquely with views of endless deforestation.
Many considered the most striking aspect of the conference to be the visit of a young tribesman from Malaysia named Mutong. His youth and sincerity led many participants to quickly identify with him and his plight. He spoke of the deforestation which threatens the survival of his tribe. Canadian youth have been supporting Mutong's struggle for several months through EYA activities. Mutong risked his life by leaving Malaysia to embark on a global awareness tour and may suffer serious consequences upon his return.
Above all, the conference served to strengthen the network of young environmentalists across the country. As a result, the EYA is setting up a regional office in Ottawa which will link the city with a 20,000-member chain.
As the local youth movement strengthens and solidifies, concern is growing among veteran student environmentalists in Ottawa. Some feel that there is a growing amount of bureaucracy evolving in what was once a grassroots and round-table group.
Young environmentalists are more informed and inspired than ever before. As our size and strength grow, however, we must ensure that we do not emulate "The System" which we now work against.
Converted November 10, 2001 - Lg
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