Ricardo's proposal is to promote youth leadership and democracy in action by facilitating an atmosphere where young people can, through word of mouth and use of social media, establish their own Ecoclubs. These clubs with provide a variety of services. They will, when appropriate, promote recycling and composting; they will run workshops and travel from house to house explaining the simplicity of composting and reward participating homes with compost monthly. This system of club development provides young people with an opportunity to participate in democratically run groups and to spread awareness of environmental issues facing our society.

Problema

A lack of national or provincial strategies for promoting or implementing recycling in Argentina was resulting in massive private landfills being run improperly while public facilities either did not exist or were woefully inadequate. The lack of effective waste management in municipalities around Argentina was quickly emerging as a massive threat not only to health but also to the environment. Furthermore, Argentinian youth lacked the opportunity to engage with democratic ideas and the option to participate in democratically-run groups.

Solução

The ‘Ecoclubes’ idea quickly grew roots and reproduced organically through Argentina, promoted by Ricardo’s Centre for Environmental Study and Action. Word of mouth spread the idea and engaged support from local councils, businesses, schools and universities, church groups and non-governemental organizations, who were all willing to help the youth groups promote their view of a more responsible, environmentally aware society. The groups chose to begin with promoting composting household waste and Ecoclub members travel to different houses each week to explain how to separate organic waste and rewards families who participate by collecting their waste on a weekly basis and providing garden compost in return. Each Ecoclub is part of a larger network, which defers to and elects members to a local, provincial and national assembly board. The groups make local and school presentations, engage with the press and online media, and a quarterly newspaper, ‘The World We Create’ is written, produced and distributed by ‘Ecoclubes’ members. Ricardo has had the opportunity to share his ‘Ecoclubes’ vision with different municipalities across Argentina, and as far afield as Chile, Honduras, Peru, El Salvador and Ecuador to promote it in South America. Through sponsorship, he has had the opportunity to share it with representatives from Africa and Asia. He has also developed connections with the Pan American Health Organization and other sponsors who have helped to promote his message of sustainable and democratic participation in the environmental challenges facing the youth of today.

Exemplo

Ricardo’s idea was to create democratically-run ‘Ecoclubes’. These groups, run by young people would challenge the lack of environmental initiatives by promoting sustainable development in their neighbourhoods. Practical solutions would range sharing expertise about composting household waste to tree planting to neighbourhood clean ups, while other groups could promote composting through posters, flyers and workshops. The groups would be democratically elected, with equal representation of boys and girls. They would meet weekly to address such issues as waste treatment, environmental education, organic gardens, protecting natural flora and fauna and examining alternative energy use.

Ofertas e demandas

The market place is the world! Anywhere, where recycling can be promoted and conducted with more care, more attention to details.