YRE Hub – A new platform for students to share stories

As part of YRE’s 25th Anniversary Celebrations, we are happy to announce that we have created a new platform for the YRE network to share stories on an international level. It’s called YRE Hub: www.yrehub.global

The YRE Hub is an open space for YRE Students and Alumni to share their inspiring stories and showcase their work within the fields of sustainability and environment. It is also a place to find inspiration, express opinions, and connect with others.

We encourage students to share stories that are positive, constructive, well-researched and that inspire people to take action. It can be articles, photo stories or videos about local environmental issues, different SDGs, personal experiences as YRE or any other story that in some way contributes to Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). We want to keep it open, positive and inspiring!

“YRE is a special community of change makers and it’s a privilege to celebrate its 25 years of existence – I hope to celebrate many more years of fueling the curiosity of budding journalists to come.”

— Allison Gacad, Canada, YRE Alumnus

How to publish a story on YRE Hub?

YRE Students and Alumni who want to publish a story can contact their National Operator and ask for the log-in details to the platform. They can then follow this step-by-step guide to share their story with the world.

Vinh Le and Allison Gacad from Canada have already shared two excellent stories on the Hub that can serve as inspiration:

• Sustain(able) Photography Exhibit

• Becoming a Young Reporter for Environment

We hope YRE Students and Alumni will welcome this new opportunity to share their work and help make it a success!

YRE forms partnership with Little Citizens For Climate

YRE International has formed a partnership with the non-profit association Little Citizens For Climate (LCFC). LCFC is affiliated to the federation of clubs for UNESCO and is also collaborating on a national level with our FEE member Teragir. The partnership will provide YRE students who are particularly interested in and concerned about climate change an additional platform to showcase their work.

The below paragraphs were written by LCFC to inform about the association and to explain how to participate.

ACT:

Children, and in particular those who live in the countries that are the most threatened by global warming, are heirs of an alarming ecological situation. We want to offer these children a space where they can express themselves, exchange and take action in order to give them a means to defend their rights, make their voices heard and take initiatives.

We encourage teachers, monitors, educators and parents who are interested in helping with this initiative to assist our children in creating a project relating to the current environmental urgency.

With the authorisation of their legal guardians, each step of the project should be filmed. We will complete the video editing and broadcast it on the following YouTube channel: Little Citizens for Climate. Projects can be done individually or in collaboration with other groups and in any country or language.

The children define themselves as an “Ecological Brigade” whose goal is to educate the adults.

EXCHANGE:

At the same time, each child will have the chance to meet other children from around the World under the supervision of young Ambassadors. These Ambassadors, ages 12 to 18, are particularly motivated and have a longstanding involvement in the defense of the Environment. They are dedicated to informing the younger children, empowering them and helping to motivate them in taking their own initiatives.

Our server is equipped with an automatic translation system so that language will not be a barrier in communication between the children. The environmental cause is universal.

LEARN:

At LITTLE CITIZENS FOR CLIMATE, we have noticed that existing pedagogical resources are created by adults, for children. However, we believe that cooperative learning is the best way for children to acquire a solid knowledge base. With their own words, approach and sensitivity a child will be best suited to find ways to relate to and communicate with peers concerning these topics so that, together, they can find solutions that are meaningful and accessible to them.

Today’s children are tomorrow’s adults and,through their role as Little Trainers on our website,they will be able to prepare for the challenges they will have to face in the future. The future of all living things is in their hands since the adults have failed to do their part.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

• You can send us your videos with the topic of your choice as long as it respects the following criteria: it has young people as the main actors and it concerns the environment. We will take care of the editing and the writing of subtitles for the videos for you.

• You can subscribe to our YouTube channel in order to stay updated on our latest broadcasts and help us share our channel and videos to children around the globe.

• You can help us connect with other organizations or project leaders that may be interested in developing a partnership.

• You can join our association.

LEARN MORE ABOUT LCFC:

Website
Facebook

Litterati Launches Education Initiative

The below article was written by Litterati and shared here as an inspiration for schools and students who want to combat litter and help clean their communities.

Our planet faces many environmental problems. It often feels overwhelming and hard to know how we can make a difference. Well here’s one way you can. Join the Litterati - a global community that’s cleaning the planet - one piece of litter at a time. This mobile app (iOS & Android) allows anyone to identify, map, and collect litter in their community.

Litterati has launched an Educational Program that engages students, collects data, and drives environmental action aligned with 7 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Litter is tangible, approachable and easy to understand. Litterati’s Educational Program provides a service-learning model that involves students in a range of experiences which benefit their community, while advancing their classroom skills. The program empowers them to  build a more sustainable planet.

In California, 7th and 8th grade students from Spencer Avenue Elementary School picked up and documented 2,902 pieces of litter in the Island Lake Conservation Area. The Litterati data revealed the prevalence of cigarette butts as well as more surprising discarded objects, including shopping carts, couch cushions, and even a lawnmower. Litterati helped students understand the negative impact littering can have on  their community; a message they shared at a schoolwide assembly. The students also sent letters to neighborhood businesses, offering suggestions about what they could do to improve their litter footprints. (read more)

Arturo Soria school in Madrid used Litterati during an end-of-course activity,  cleaning up local parks near their school. Thanks to the Litterati app they were able tag, track and log the litter they collected. From the data and maps they created, the students analyzed the problem and proposed several solutions to the local community. Some involved making posters, pins and artwork to raise awareness. Other solutions required asking local businesses to install ashtrays. Students then wrote letters to the municipal cleaning services suggesting how they could pitch in and help. (read more)

It's easy to get started:

1. Download the iOS or Android app

2. Create a club for your class or school

3. Invite your students to join the club

4. Photograph a piece of litter

5. Recycle or throw out the piece of litter. (Repeat steps 4 & 5)

Each photo is full of data. Geotags map problem areas. Timestamps indicate when we see specific types of litter. And tags identify the most commonly found brands and products. This data can then be used to influence product innovation, sustainable packaging, and educating consumer behaviour. We all have a role to play.

Litterati has been featured at TED, is supported by the National Science Foundation, and in partnership with the United Nations Environment.

Download the Litterati app today and join the movement. Individually you can make a difference. Together we create an impact. If you want more information contact us at support@litterati.org

PRESS RELEASE: Young Reporters for the Environment celebrates 25th Anniversary

This year Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) celebrates its 25th anniversary as an international programme run by Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). In 1994, Luxembourg became the first country to officially implement the YRE programme and today it engages more than 350.000 young reporters in 38 countries across the world.

”YRE is an absolutely fantastic programme because it not only involves youth in important environmental and sustainable issues, but it also gives them tools that enables them to present news in a structured and knowledgeable manner. In this way, YRE provides the path from critical thinking to critical expression.” says Daniel Schaffer, CEO of Foundation for Environmental Education.

The Young Reporters for the Environment programme aims to empower young people aged 11-25 to take a stand on environmental issues they feel strongly about and to give them a platform to articulate these issues through the media of writing, photography or video.

”The past 25 years, YRE has become perhaps more relevant, as the world’s environmental reality has become more dire, and a war on science and on truth has surfaced. By continuing to train young minds to think critically, act locally, and engage globally, YRE continues to plant a powerful seed for tomorrow, spreading knowledge through the many young influencers coming through its ranks, from all over the world."  says P.J. Marcellino, filmmaker, YRE Jury member and former YRE student.

YRE’s 25th Anniversary will be celebrated throughout 2019 with different activities. As part of this, a special 1-minute Video Competition was launched. YRE students and Alumni from around the world have submitted videos that aim to reflect the essence of the programme. A total of 25 videos have been selected and will be shared on social media throughout 2019. The top 3 videos will be awarded by the end of the year.

This month a new international YRE Blog / Press Corner will also be launched. It will function as an open platform for YRE Students, Alumni and the YRE Network to share their stories on sustainable and environmental issues. The platform is meant to serve as a press corner where inspiring articles, videos, and photo stories will be available for the wider public.

“Both the competition and the blog are meant to give YRE students more opportunities to express their opinions and show off their creativity and passion for the environment.” concludes Malgorzata Luszczek, International YRE Director.

About YRE – ‘Giving our environment a voice’

The Young Reporters for the Environment programme aims to empower young people aged 11-25 to take a stand on environmental issues they feel strongly about and to give them a platform to articulate these issues through the media of writing, photography or video. The programme is based on a four-step methodology which seeks to develop students’ critical thinking and expression, creativity and leadership skills. Every year the top YRE investigations have the chance to participate in the annual YRE competition and to be assessed by professional juries on national and international levels. The programme also gives Young Reporters the opportunity to participate in international environmental conferences to further develop their skills and network.

Website: www.yre.global

About the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE)

With members in 76 countries we are the world’s largest environmental education organisation. Through our five ground breaking programmes, we help communities realise the benefits of sustainable living. Recognised by UNESCO as a world leader within the fields of Environmental Education (EE) and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). 

Website: www.fee.global

Special 1-Minute Video Competition - List of Nominees

To celebrate YRE’s 25th Anniversary, a special 1-Minute Video Competition was launched. YRE Students and Alumni from around the world have submitted videos that aim to reflect the essence of the programme. A total of 25 videos have been selected and will be shared on the YRE Facebook page throughout 2019 and three winning videos will be found by the end of the year.

Publishing the nominated videos on Facebook

The 25 videos will be published on the YRE Facebook page in random order. The first video will be uploaded on the 23rd of January 2019 at 15:00 CEST. After exactly 12 days, the number of likes will be noted and another video will be uploaded and so on, until all 25 videos have been published.

Finding the three winning videos

The 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners will be found in the following way:

The video that receives the most likes on Facebook will receive 12 points, the second-most liked will receive 11 points and so on. Only likes on the original post uploaded by YRE International will be counted so remember to visit the YRE Facebook page. You are highly encouraged to vote for videos that have not been made in your own country.

Once all the videos have been published, the YRE National Operators will be given the opportunity to vote. They are free to give 1-12 points to any of the 25 videos - except videos from their own country.

In the end, the 3 videos with most points will receive 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards.

Many congratulations to all of the nominees! We look forward to sharing your videos throughout 2019!

The 25 nominees listed by country:
(The videos will be published on Facebook in random order)

1. Canada: What is YRE to me?

2. China: Guardian Little Messenger

3. China: Silver Chain League

4. China: Green Lighting

5. China: Blue Sky and Blue Water! Protection starts at school!

6. China: YRE-Be Active Actors of Beautiful China

7. Greece: 25 Years of History

8. Israel: What do you do with your electronic-waste?

9. Israel: We care

10. Israel: Work it out

11. Italy: The environment game in my neighbourhood

12. Malta: YRE Malta

13. Montenegro: From contest to volontere

14. Montenegro: We can all together

15. Portugal: My experience as a YRE

16. Portugal: 25 Videos for 25 years of YRE

17. Portugal: YRE - “opening new opportunities for my life”

18. Portugal: You…Listen!

19. Portugal: YRE: A Mission for Life

20. Slovakia: YRE Slovakia: We're going further!

21. Slovakia: Blowing in the Wind

22. Slovakia: Reducing Waste - Pass it Forward

23. Slovakia: Slovakia Mladi reporteri

24. Turkey: Right Waste, Right Place

25. Turkey: Makroproblem, Mikroplastic

Looking back at COP 24 - Young Reporters' Perspectives

Six inspiring young people got the unique chance to work as Young Reporters at COP 24 in Poland last month. All of them found the conference to be inspiring, educational and a little overwhelming. Nevertheless, they did an amazing job conducting interviews, attending sessions and representing the YRE programme at this highly important conference on climate change. Below are the personal accounts of three of the participants, Martina, Wesley and Kristin, who all look back at the COP with gratitude and renewed inspiration.

Visit Exposure to see all the articles and interviews created by the Young Reporters during COP 24.

Martina Mifsud, Malta:

I went into COP24 anxious, nervous and on edge.
I came out of COP24 ecstatic, enriched and fulfilled.

COP24 was easily one of those priceless experiences that you can never really replace. It was a week filled with knowledge sharing, opinion discussing, and idea shaping. And it was only possible through the active participation of each of the 20,000 observers, panelists, youth activists and NGO representatives. Collectively, it was a goldmine, bringing together so many different people under one roof (except when the sessions were in area G, because that was at the other end of the planet).

Everyone; from young to old, from developed and developing countries, gender and ethnicity disregarded, had the opportunity to participate and voice our opinion, and the thing which truly impressed me was the receptiveness of the people, and they were not shy to say what was on their mind. Of course, not everyone agreed to everything that was said, but everyone respected what was said. There were sessions with great speakers and not so great speakers, but the information available was all rich and useful. Even the observers themselves spoke out, asked questions, argued frugally when needed and discussed opinions. It was one whole body at COP, and no one was left outside the circle. Not the shy last-row observer during the first session, not the easily judged indigenous woman during the second session, not the speaker discussing so openly about things usually hushed in the third session, and, most definitely, not us three young reporters, who formed an inseparable bond during those five days, and who together with our dearest Kristina, represented YRE International for the said week. COP was filled with good people with good intentions, each keen to share knowledge and spread positivity (and, where needed, potential defeatism).

I do not have words which sum up my experience- and I am absolutely thrilled that I was the first Maltese person given this opportunity to represent my country at COP. There is nothing which I can use to describe how this week has been for me- except that I feel that it will have an impact on all of my future decisions. I would like to wholeheartedly thank Young Reporters for the Environment International for the opportunity, Ms. Audrey Gauci for being there from day one, our dearest Ms. Kristina Madsen for her patience and much needed help during that week, and my fellow reporters; Lovely from Canada, and Wesley from Singapore. It would not have been possible without you!

Wesley Poh, Singapore:

Looking back, my experience at COP24 has been incredibly memorable. There was nothing I had done in the past or could have done prior to arriving in Katowice to fully prepare myself for the level of activity going on at the conference — there was always a side event going on, an interesting session on the intersection between climate change and one of the many other scourges of humanity being held, a networking event to meet and learn from inspiring activists all over the world and countless interview opportunities as you walk down the numerous hallways around the venue.

Yet, even amidst the madness, I find myself having grown so much both as a budding environmental reporter and simply as an informed, global citizen of the world. At the conference, because our party of YRE reporters was constrained to a small number of three individuals, I had no other choice but to be forthcoming in asking extremely distinguished panelists questions about their views. The stresses of the environment also meant that when I did manage to get interviews, I had to conduct them with a discerning mind by asking insightful questions to get the most of the short amount of time we had together. This in my view made the experience at COP24 a lot more meaningful than the capacity building training we had in Lisbon eight months ago as I could not rely on the work of my teammates if I encountered difficulties. In a way, I’d like to think that if you as a journalist survive COP, then that in itself is a huge achievement. In my view, not much else is harder than covering COP as a young reporter for the environment.

Finally, the experience at COP24 has undeniably broadened my mind. It has taught me to analyse issues holistically and to avoid using reductionist tendencies like oversimplifying complex problems just for the sake of easy understanding.  For instance, I had initially planned to do one article solely on climate change and poverty, and the other solely on climate change and gender equality. Within the first two days of the conference however, it became glaringly apparent that the interactions between such issues cannot be cleanly defined. There is no absolute division between the problems of poverty and access to water; nor between indigenous rights and loss of biodiversity or between health and gender equality. The realities are a lot more complicated than most of us are comfortable with, but this should not intimidate us.

Krakow and Katowice now have a special place in my heart, and shout-out to my ridiculously capable groupmates Lovely and Martina for always being there when things got a little too overwhelming. I’d also like to thank Kristina, who was always very supportive in guiding us throughout the four full days. Of course, I am indebted to YRE for giving me this unparalleled opportunity.

As I leave Poland today, I do so with a nourished mind, a full heart, and an inspired spirit.

Kristin Rodrigo, Canada: