3 YREs covering COP27 and FEE holding Key Climate Education Sessions

3 Young Reporter for the Environment will take part in COP27 and cover the event! The COP (Conference of the Parties) is the annual meeting of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Each year, countries “come together to take action towards achieving the world’s collective climate goals as agreed under the Paris Agreement and the UNFCCC.” The COP27 will take place in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

Catarina Semedo de Oliveira from Portugal, Hatim Lachheb from Morocco, Emer Rafferty from Northern Ireland, will act as YRE (and even more) during the event.

They will attend sessions as both reporters and speakers, conduct interviews, explore the Blue and Green Zone, investigate climate change issues that they are passionate about and so much more! As ambassadors of the YRE programme, they are also representing youth calling for climate action!

 

Presentations of the YREs

Catarina Semedo de Oliveira

Curious and passionate. These are, I believe, the traits that led me to become a young reporter at COP 27. The desires to experience first-hand governments’ discussions and to report them in a way that is truly relevant to my generation. As a young reporter since 2018, I have had the privilege of reporting at events such as the Youth Environmental Education Conference (Prague, 2022) and the Web Summit (Lisbon, 2021). I have also worked as an Environmental Trainer in the `One Health´ International Campus for initiation to research and communication of the Erasmus+ e-InnoEducCO2 Project (Aveiro, 2022) and I am currently part of the environmental NGO “Bora Ambientar”, based in Portugal. I hope all of these experiences give me a global relevant perspective to represent the YRE in the best way possible at COP 27! Looking forward to it :)

 

Hatim Lachheb:

Hii !! My name is Hatim Lachheb and I am a 17 years old environmental activist in a small town in southern Morocco. My passion for the environment started at a young age, I remember visiting my Grandpa and my Grandma in the countryside and being fascinated by their job as farmers and their life as a simple family and as Gardners. So I decided that I too follow in their footsteps, not in our village but in our big urban world. The latter deserves people that care about our environment and prioritize it above everything else, so I believe that I can and I will make that change sooner rather than later.

           

Emer Rafferty

I am an environmental activist and Queens University chemical engineering student with a strong determination to ensure a safe future for today’s and subsequent generations, wildlife and the natural environment. My enthusiastic, vibrant and focused yet down to earth personality helps me appreciate the world around me, makes me value my friendships and the opportunities I have been given, and gives me determination to bring about change for the better wherever I can. I have a keen love for sports and music and I work hard to improve my skills in both these fields. I have a great sense of drive and immerse myself fully in whatever I put my mind to- education, environmental activism, charity giving, community work and sports. My level of expectation and standards for myself is high- I want and expect the best from myself.  

I am super excited, motivated and determined to make a lasting impact at COP27, to ask difficult questions and represent us young people. As I was COP26 ambassador last year, I hope to build on my work and outcomes from last year.

 

We are looking forward to following their adventure live on Facebook @yre.global and Instagram @yre_int and to reading their reports on Exposure afterwards.

The two Key Climate Education Sessions (climate change education session and “Global Call for Climate Education”) hosted by FEE at COP27 will be available online, you can learn more and register for it at the link below.

Learning more about FEE at COP27

Youth Voice for Climate Change - from Young Reporters in Ghana

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change's (UNFCCC) Youth Climate Report (YCR), a digital database documentary project, will once more be presenting films young people from around the world made this year at the UN climate summit, COP27, in Egypt in November. The focus this year for many YCR workshops was the impacts of climate change on Indigenous communities. Two YCR projects - the Ghana Youth Video Program out of Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Canada and the Planetary Health Film Lab out of York University in Toronto, Canada - worked with youth in both Ghana and Ecuador this summer. 

 

The project in Ghana produced 12 short documentary films and its compilation video represents the country's first climate change documentary film. It will be screened at a special Side Event at COP27 on November 9, 2022 at 4:45 pm in Room 8 (150) in the Blue Zone. A press conference announcing the film will be held the day before November 8 at 10:30 am. All are encouraged to attend.

 

The project in Ecuador worked exclusively with Indigenous youth representing 11 different communities throughout the country. A total of 16 films were produced and each one using the Indigenous languages of Kichwa and Shuar. The event showing these films will take place November 7 at a time to be announced at the UNFCCC's new Children and Youth Pavilion.

YCR made an effort to train, recruit, and curate films made by youth in their Indigenous languages as 2022 marks the first year in the UN's International Decade of Indigenous Languages. All participants successfully completed the program and were awarded Certificates of Achievement. For more information, please contact Mark Terry, Executive Director, Youth Climate Report, at ycrtv1@gmail.com or Laura Bannon, Project Manager, at ycrtv2@gmail.com. Both will be in attendance at COP27 from November 5 to 13, 2022.

Press Release - YRE International Competition 2022/2023

Our annual Young Reporters for the Environment International Competition is without a doubt one of the highlights of the YRE programme! Every year, the most inspiring and creative entries from the National Competitions are assessed by an International Jury and have the chance to be recognized globally. In the 2021/2022 YRE competition alone, we had 430,176 students from 43 countries involved, and 5.6 million people got reached by the “voice” of all the amazing Young Reporters.

The YRE International Competition is for the YRE National Competition winners in countries running the YRE programme. Students who are participating in the YRE programme in each country and students from International Schools in countries where the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) has no member have a right to participate in the competition. Students must compete and be selected as the 1st place national winner before being submitted to the International Competition by National Operators.

For next year’s 2022/23 International Competition, we’ve cleaned up and clarified past years’ competition criteria to make them as clear and strong as possible. But don’t worry, things haven’t changed too much!

There are still four categories: article, photograph, video, and international collaboration. Within photographs, there’s the single reportage photo, the single environmental campaign photo, and a photo story of 3-5 images. The video category is divided into a reportage video and an environmental campaign video.

YRE works to actively promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and present case stories of initiatives that are developed by local communities and emphasize a holistic approach to achieving sustainable development for all. Therefore, we encourage participants to reflect on the link between their entry and one or more SDGs when choosing a topic to report on.

Following the alarming need for urgent action, YRE International recommends that students investigate local environmental issues linked to the following three themes:

•          Climate Change

•          Biodiversity Loss

•          Environmental Pollution

The highlight of the 2022/2023 competition is Environmental Pollution. During this year we will be sharing additional educational resources related to the theme of pollution.

The assessment criteria are divided into five categories: Format & Structure, Honest & Unbiased Reporting, Constructive & Well-Rounded Perspective, Originality & Independence, and Dissemination.

In the category of “Dissemination,” YRE encourages youth to use their voice to bring positive change, and actively sharing one’s work within different communities and networks is key to making an impact. For this reason, the dissemination criteria have been emphasized and restructured in a way that’s hopefully clear and easy to follow.

Submission requirements and assessment criteria can be found on the YRE International website at YRE Competition — Young Reporters for the Environment. Most national YRE competitions follow a similar structure to the YRE International Competition, so make sure to take a look and familiarize yourself with the criteria! We look forward to seeing you in the YRE International Competition 2022/2023!

 

“Participating in the competition has made me more aware of what is happening in my community, more sensitive to my surroundings and being active, just like thousands of students around the world, which gives me hope that we can do things locally better. You can also gain valuable experience, same as me, which led me to take a role as one of the jury members and stand on the other side of the competition but still being active as a professional journalist.”

 -- Adriana Hencekova, YRE Alumni from Slovakia and the YRE international jury member

 

We have hosted a press release webinar on the YRE international competition 2022/2023, you can find more information from it. To watch the recorded webinar, please click here.


About Young Reporters for Environment

Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) is an award-winning programme coordinated by Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). The programme empowers young people to take an educated stand on environmental issues they feel strongly about and gives them a platform to articulate these issues through the media of writing, photography, or video.

 

About the Foundation for Environmental Education

The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) is one of the world’s largest Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) organisations, with over 100 member organisations in 81 countries. With a network of over 60,000 educational institutions, the Eco-Schools, Learning About Forests and Young Reporters for the Environment programmes empower young people to create an environmentally conscious world through experiential, project-based learning. Our Green Key and Blue Flag programmes are globally recognized for promoting sustainable business practices and the protection of natural resources. With over 40 years of impactful experience in ESD, FEE’s strategic plan, GAIA 20:30, prioritises impactful action across all five programmes to address the threats of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental pollution.  

International Collaboration month for the YRE network

International Collaboration Month for the YRE network

Find your partner to collaborate with and submit your entry for the YRE International Competition

International Collaboration Month is now open. If you want to join the YRE competition program by collaborating with another country, this is a piece of news you must read.

To know the structure of the YRE programmme better, there are three ways to participate in the YRE International Competition:

The International Collaboration category is open to all countries with three recommended themes: environmental pollution, biodiversity loss and climate change, and must be linked to chosen SDG(s). The submission must fulfil the criteria for its category “Article”,” Photo Reportage of 3-5 photos”, or ”Video” and show significant collaborative work between two or more countries. It is open to the age categories 11-14, 15-18, and 19-25 years.

Find more information here:

International Collaboration — Young Reporters for the Environment (yre.global)

You may wonder: How does one find a match?

It is very simple, if you are a school or a teacher who wants to participate with your students via the international collaboration, fill in the following form. If you are a student, please ask your teacher and/or your National Operator to register. The validation of your registration will be done by the NO of your country, and the FEE International Team will match schools and let you know about it at the beginning of November! This form is enabled from the 1st to the 25th of October:

YRE Collaboration 2022-23 (google.com)

 

You are interested but need inspiration on how to start? Find it from these winning examples from 2022

1st Place

Title: WILDFIRES & CLIMATE CHANGE A fiery summer for Turkey and Greece

Countries: Greece & Turkey

Honourable Mention

Title: Change for The Worse: Forest Fires in Turkey and Frost in Slovenia

Countries: Slovenia & Turkey

Call for sustainable local projects - Join GAIA Fellowship programme!

Are you an active youth who want to make a positive change in its community? Do you have an idea for sustainable project but you do not know how to start?

If your answer is YES at least once, we have something for you! We are pleased to invite you to join our new leadership programme GAIA Fellowship.

What is GAIA Fellowship:

The GAIA Fellowship, organized and developed by FEE, challenges young people to create and develop their own solution to an environmental-related problem. Each fellow is guided by a mentor and receives several education materials to support the development of their project. The goal of the fellowship is to help the fellows become sustainable leaders and have their projects implemented in real life.

GAIA Fellow’s profile:

The perfect GAIA Fellow: 

  • Is between 18 and 30 years old 

  • Is part of or involved in one of the 5 FEE programes

  • Is motivated and wants to take climate action 

  • Wants to develop and implement their own project 

  • Has 2 hours/week free to participate in the Fellowship

Benefits of participating:

A total of 10 projects will be selected and will receive several benefits:

  • 8 months of guidance from professionals

  • Develop several essential leadership skills

  • The chance to transform and implement an idea into real-life, change-making actions

  • Recognition through FEE’s website and social media

  • A certificate of participation and completion

Important deadlines:

Application deadline: 16th of September 2022

Start date: 3rd of October 2022

Total duration: 8 months (October - May/June)

YRE students from India will report from the 4th Edition of International Conference on Sustainability Education

The overall aim of the conference will be on strengthening partnerships and building connections through sharing innovative ideas, experiences and case studies on sustainability education that leads to positive actions. This is also confirmed by the main theme of the conference: Building Connections and Partnership for Sustainable Future.

The 4th ICSE will be organized on September 9 and 10 2022 through hybrid mode at SCOPE Complex in New Delhi by Mobius Foundation in partnership with some of the key environmental organizations, UNESCO, UNEP, Centre for Environment Education (CEE), Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE, Copenhagen), The Climate Reality Project India, The Energy and Resource Institute (TERI), WWF India.
The conference is expected to bring together around 300 participants physically (250 Indians + 50 Foreigners) and will be joined by thousands virtually from across the globe representing multi-disciplinary and diverse group of stakeholders including: policy makers, teachers and educators, young professionals, representative of schools and education networks, youth, scientists and technical experts, as well as individuals from the private sector and civil society.

What is more impressive are the five students from India will be covering the event on behalf of Young Reporters for the Environment programm. Let them introduce themselves!

JUI GUSANI, 22 years old, is presently working as an Intern with the Centre for Environment Education under the YRE and Eco-Schools Programme, India. A graduate of the Pandit Deendayal Energy University (Gandhinagar), she has gained a Diploma in Liberal Studies and a degree of B.A.(Hons.) in English Literature with a minor specialization in Environmental Studies. Jui's avid interest lies in the interdisciplinary areas of Environment and Literature. She believes in the kind of literature or writing that can help create a ripple or a strong wave in the stagnant waters of the mind. This is where journalism bridges the borders between environment and people. People are taking up individualistic steps to counter climate change but by laying out stories through different forms of journalism or art, it could help unite those steps. Jui takes pleasure hiking through different kinds of forests/biodiversity and observing the problems therein. After some amateur but considerable years of traveling, she has come to the conclusion that “living sustainably and teaching sustainability” is the only immediate answer to help save the planet. She has recently adopted the lifestyle of a vegan by unlearning speciesism and loves to cook various vegan dishes. When at leisure, she could always be seen hooked up with a good novel in a corner or writing some random pieces of poetry.

JAHANVI ARORA, 19 year old. She is currently pursuing B.Com hons in the second year aiming to major in BFSI from the Institute of Commerce, Nirma University. She has interned with CEE in the Eco Schools and YRE programme and has gained a pool of knowledge about sustainable education and its benefits. She has worked closely with the marketing of both these programmes and understands that honest and creative journalism goes a long way to promote any programme. She also has a background of writing climate change blogs from her school days and thinks it's integral that climate change discourse be propagated. She believes that by using journalism, we have the power to talk about what is wrong in our world and hold those accountable and being a strong believer of honest journalism, she aspires to bring that level of honesty in her reporting as well.

SHIVANGI VERMA, resident of Delhi, and am currently a class 12th student of Little Flowers Public Senior Secondary School in Science stream. Exploring different art forms, music and culture are my hobbies. I like learning new things and am always curious about how things work. World is an amazing place to explore because everyday there is a new challenge and I personally love challenges.
Journalism is the fourth invisible pillar of government. It aware the public about a particular issue without being biased. Today the world is going through severe environmental issues and there is a need to make people aware about this and journalism is the best way to highlight this issue. I am glad YRE is providing such a platform to these voiceless issues.
And Tom Stoppard once said, “I still believe that if your aim is to change the world, journalism is a more immediate short-term weapon.”'

ARNAV ARORA, 17 years old, a resident of Delhi and studying in ASN Senior Secondary School, he is an avid reader and lover of all that is fantasy, he loves storytelling and wishes to find more stories and to share them through this dying art form which he believes is a unique form of journalism in itself. He believes that Journalism is the best means to spread awareness. Though journalism in its essence should be impartial and factual, it is also a gateway to the voices and problems of the masses. Journalism brings to light the issues that affect the public and should concern the public, it holds the power to influence and bring about radical change. It shapes the ideas of the youth and is thus of quintessential importance to the progress of a generation.

 DIVYANSH NARANG, a 18 year student currently pursuing Journalism from Mumbai . He is an aspiring journalist who loves writing and sharing stories with the people . He believes with the right mindset and correct toolkit , journalism plays an important role in society for creating awareness. Especially in these times of chaos , it is more crucial for journalism to stay in a good spirit. He is an enthusiastic person who is moved to bring the true essence of down spiralling journalism in our country.

 
Find more about conference by clicking here.

The YRE Photo of the Year 2023 - THE WORLD’S A HARD PLACE by Michel Cecil from India

“This is a candid shot of a child working at welding at the age where he should have been having a life away from child labour, a life for a bright future, for education, nourishment, and self-health. Seeing this made me realise that even in this 21st century, an age we call modern, there are still these things going on, be it due to his own need for money for the family or for a way to get out of poverty,” with these words, Michel, the author, begins to describe his winning photography.

The photo impressed the Jury not only with its excellent technical processing, but also with a deeper message focusing on human. At first glance, photography may not seem to be connected to environmental issues, but they are hiding in the background. The Jury also pointed out that the author managed to connect several of the SDG´s goals in one picture.

This photo offers a concrete illustration that our emphasis on environmental sustainability should not be limited to environmental concepts alone, but should embrace and reflect all three dimensions of sustainable development – economic, social and environmental, as interdependent and mutually reinforcing, with culture as the essential underlying element. As photo of the year, it captures a snapshot of the complex interdependence between human needs and the natural environment, between socio-economic development and culture, and between the local and the global.
— Bernard Combes, YRE Jury member, UNESCO

Michel, the author of the photo, described his motivation to submit this picture in the YRE competition: “Later on I approached this guy and had a talk and got to know he studies during the day and works by the night, I was bit moved after understanding his situation and opportunities as to mine, I wish to spread awareness regarding child labour through this picture and a request to help such kids in need of bright future not bright lights around.”

The Photo of the Year are usually announced every year after the International YRE competition and it will be used for the PR and communication purposes of the program.

PRESS RELEASE - Winners of the International YRE Competition 2022

The finalists of the 2022 Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) International Competition have now been assessed by the International Jury, and the awarded entries have been selected.

This year, the YRE programme received more than 230 entries from 35 countries for the YRE International Competition. The number and high quality of journalistic pieces submitted to the YRE International Competition show the continued motivation and developmentof YRE students across the world.

“It was another record year for submissions to the competition, with countries like Mauritius taking part for the first time and a strong showing across all age groups with increasing levels of creativity and maturity among some of the youngest of participants,” said Nick Nuttall, YRE Jury Member, Strategic Director of Communications at We Don't Have Time and former Director of Communications for UN Environment and UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

The International Jury has based their assessment on the YRE students’ selected topics , their reflections on how the topic connects to the Sustainable Development Goals and their overall journalistic skills. Therefore, the awarded entries represent some of the top youth environmental journalism in the world today.

Entries selected this year as shortlisted and awarded reflect a deep understanding of local environmental issues from the YRE students. They submitted insightful and interesting projects, depicting both environmental issues and solutions encountered in their local communities.

As Nick Nuttall explained, competition entries addressed “Long standing climate and environmental concerns like ocean pollution and wildlife conservation were showcased in print and video. But also journalistic submissions reflecting recent threats like the growth of devastating forest fires, issues such as climate anxiety and surprises including the often-overlooked pollution risks from the rapid growth in electronic cigarettes.”

As for next year, the Jury hope to see amore systematic approach in international collaboration category to achieve the goal of looking at one issue from different angles and making connections across countries.

This year’s International YRE Jury

This year’s International Jury meeting took place in hybrid form on the 30th of June in Copenhagen. The Jury assessed each shortlisted entry thoroughly, and awarded 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes, as well as Honourable Mentions, based on the technical quality, level of investigation, originality, and dissemination of each submission. The International Jury represents expertise across a wide spectrum of fields and consists of professionals in environmental journalism, corporate social responsibility, and Education for Sustainable Development.

YRE Jury met after two pandemic years in Copenhagen in FEE head office.
From left to right: P.J. Marcellino, Sasha Karajovic, Pramod Kumar Sharma, Adriána Henčeková, Gosia Luszczek, Siiri Mäkelä, Shimon Ginzburg, Nick Nuttall, etc joined virtually.

YRE Jury members:

·     Christopher Slaney - editor

·     Pedro Marcelino - YRE Student (1996), communications strategist, writer, filmmaker (Longyearbyen Consulting & Media)

·     Siiri Mäkelä - UNEP

·     Anne Vela-Wagner – MARS Wrigley Foundation

·     Nick Nuttall – We Don’t Have Time

·     Adriana Hencekova – YRE Alumni from Slovakia

·     Bernard Combes – UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization), (not presented at the meeting but participated in the assessment)

·     Mark Terry – Youth Climate Report (not presented at the meeting but participated in the assessment)

·    Sasha Karajovic – President of the Jury

Find detailed information about each Jury Member here.

All entries competing in the YRE International Competition have been awarded 1st place in their respective countries’ National YRE competitions earlier this year. The articles and videos entries are divided into three age groups (11-14, 15-18 and 19-25).

The photos categories are not split in age groups. There is also a special category for International Collaboration.

All entries have been uploaded on the YRE Competition’s Exposure page.

The winners of the competition will receive diplomas and will be published on different international medias, forums, environmental conferences and sessions.

Call for winners

The YRE team is impressed by the quality of the projects, and wishes to congratulate the winners of the 2022 competition!

The winners will be invited to a webinar in early September to celebrate together.

Get ready, information is coming soon!

DISCOVER THE 2022 INTERNATIONAL YRE COMPETITION WINNERS

Article, 11-14 years

1st Place

Title: Bats Haven't Lost Their Sanctuary

Country: Slovakia

2nd Place

Title: Ghost Gear

Country: New Zealand

3rd Place

Title: Urban agriculture for a sustainable city with happy inhabitants

Country: Greece

Honourable Mention

Title: Young people's climate anxiety

Country: Switzerland

Honourable Mention

Title: Fire-Fighting Trees To Stop Major Fires

Country: Portugal

Article, 15-18 years

1st Place

Title: No smoke without fire - electronic cigarettes affect environment and health

Country: Latvia

2nd Place

Title: GREENER PORT-LOUIS FOR A HEALTHIER URBAN HEART

Country: Mauritius

3rd Place

Title: Is there plastic in the Øresund?

Country: Sweden

Article, 19-25 years

1st Place

Title: Moulouya... Consecutive environmental hazards endanger one of Morocco's most valuable wetlands

Country: Morocco

2nd Place

Title: Climate Change and Religion

Country: Ireland

3rd Place

Title: LESS IS MORE FOR PEACE BAY

Country: Slovakia

Honourable Mention

Title: PLANET WILL CONTINUE TO

Country: India

Single Photo Reportage, 11-25 years

1st Place

Title: Terrifying light

Country: Montenegro

Honourable Mention

Title: The world's a hard place

Country: India

Single Photo Campaign, 11-25 years

Honourable Mention

Title: Our Actions, Our Future

Country: New Zealand

Photo Reportage of 3-5 Photos, 11-25 years

1st Place

Title: Frog Taxi

Country: Slovakia

2nd Place

Title: Past fires warn the future

Country: Portugal

Video, 11-14 years

1st Place

Title: Taking Action with Citizen Science

Country: New Zealand

2nd Place

Title: "FEARLESS" RESCUER

Country: Slovakia

3rd Place

Title: Light pollution

Country: France

3rd Place

Title: Slow down! Don`t exceed the speed of fashion

Country: Latvia

Video, 15-18 years

1st Place

Title: If we don't see it, we don't believe it

Country: Belgium

2nd Place

Title: Digital Pollution

Country: South Korea

2nd Place

Title: 57,4 Millions

Country: France

3rd Place

Title: Footbridges, an (in)sustainable tourism?

Country: Portugal

Honourable Mention

Title: Textile Waste

Country: Malaysia

Video, 19-25 years

1st Place

Title: In the Mediterranean, human beings and technology mobilised against ghost nets

Country: France

2nd Place

Title: Nature Conservation at Risk

Country: Slovakia

Honourable Mention

Title: Web Summit 2021: Startups for sustainability

Country: Portugal

International Collaboration

1st Place

Title: WILDFIRES & CLIMATE CHANGE A fiery summer for Turkey and Greece

Countries: Greece & Turkey

Honourable Mention

Title: Change for The Worse: Forest Fires in Turkey and Frost in Slovenia

Countries: Slovenia & Turkey

Congratulations to all winners of 2022!

About YRE: Founded in 1994, the YRE programme empowers young people to research and report on local environmental issues and promote solutions through investigative reporting, photography, and video journalism, giving them a sense that they can really make a difference in the world


OPPORTUNITY: Looking for Young Reporters for the Environment at the Relay to COP27

The impact of climate change on our planet will be felt most by our youth. To mobilise the voices of youth, on 30th September 2022, The World Relay Ltd , in partnership with the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) is launching an extraordinary event - Running Out of Time to cover 7,200 km from Glasgow, Scotland (Host of COP26) to Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt (Host of COP27).

From the opening ceremony in COP26 host city Glasgow on September 30th 2022 – where the message will be sealed in the baton - the relay will journey through 18 countries - UK (Scotland, Wales, England), France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Cyprus, Jordan, Israel, Egypt - arriving to Sharm el-Sheikh on November 6th 2022 in time for COP27 which will take place from 7th-18th November 2022. More about the relay can be found here.

View the route on Google Map.

Therefore, the Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) is looking for young reporters who are interested in reporting on Running Out of Time (ROoT) which will be the longest non-stop relay ever attempted with runners, cyclists, and sailors working together to pass a baton hand-to-hand containing a powerful climate message from young people to the decision-makers at COP27 and from the COP27. 

Three possibilities to report on Running Out of Time

  1. A YRE student who will support media crew of the relay

Youth over 18 years old will join the media team on the way to the relay to work together with a media team, grow with the experience, and prepare a youth article from the experience that activities at the COP 27 will continue.

Timeline: 5 days (depending on the starting point in Israel or Cyprus) at the end of the relay with the media team following the relay and 5 days at COP 27 in Sharm El-Sheikh (the first week of COP27). Applications for this task can be submitted from Israel or Cyprus.

The deadline for applications is 15 August.

YRE students at the COP 24, Katowice.

2. YRE reporters from the relay in different countries – coordinated by NOs in each country

A group of youth from countries that are part of the Running Out of Time to follow the relay in each of the countries, report on interesting activities, post a social media post share it with the YRE international social media, interview people and participants, present a story about climate change or environmental activities aligned to the route of the relay.

Applicants can be part of the media crew for one day during the relay going through their country.

Applications for this task can be submitted from countries that are on the journey route. Each of the reporters will be assigned their task during the relay happening it a particular country.

Applications should be submitted to each National Operator by 15 August 2022.

COP 23, in Bonn, covered by YRE students.

3. Three YRE students to report from COP27

We are looking for students who can report on different climate change-related themes by attending sessions and conducting interviews, but who are also able to actively participate in or run workshops and panel debates.

Among participants, we are also looking for a person who can prepare a longer documentary film or an article about the whole RoOT initiative.  

Applicants should be from Israel, Morocco, Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, or Turkey. The deadline for applications is 15 August.  

The final articles, photos, and videos from COP27 must be sent to Gosia (gosia@fee.global) at the latest five days after your last day at the conference (November 25). Please send the videos through WeTransfer.  

YRE students at the COP 24, in Katowice.

Expected tasks as a Young Reporter for the Environment

The selected YRE students are expected to report on specific topics related to different aspects of Climate Change by attending events, meetings, and sessions and conducting interviews with delegates, participants and speakers.

Students can choose to make either articles or short videos that will be published on YRE’s Exposure page.

They are also asked to make daily posts on YRE International’s social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) and to represent the YRE programme internationally. 

Requirements of applicants

  • Age between 18-25

  • The person needs to have a valid passport – in the case of Ad 1. And Ad.3) 

  • For Ad. 2 there can be 2-4 applications per country from the country that event is happening submitted to each National Operator. Contact details to the YRE National Operators can be found here National Offices — Young Reporters for the Environment (yre.global)  

  • Interested in themes related to ESD, sustainable development and climate change  

  • Has been involved in the YRE programme 

  • Ad 1 and Ad. 3) Can travel alone to Sharm El-Shaikh on the required dates or travel within the country on the route of the relay      

  • Experienced in producing articles and short films.  

  • Excellent English skills (both spoken and written) 

What is covered

  • Travel and visa costs (Ad. 1 and Ad 3)  

  • Accommodation and meals in Egypt etc. (7-18 November, but exact dates for students will be confirmed as we are planning to involve a student for a maximum of 1 week including travel) or in case of a student traveling with the media team in countries of the relay. (Ad 1 and Ad 3) 

  • Travel insurance (Ad 1 and Ad 3) 

How to apply

To apply as a Young Reporter for this conference, please send the following to the YRE coordinator Gosia Luszczek (gosia@fee.global) no later than 15 August 2022: 

Ad 2) Applications should be submitted to the National Operators in your country.

List of the National Operators can be found here: National Offices — Young Reporters for the Environment (yre.global). The deadline for applications is also 15 August 2022.  

  1. Brief letter of motivation (max. ½ page in A4) 

  2. CV (max. 2 pages in A4) 

  3. Sample of work previously produced – articles or videos related to the theme of Education for Sustainable Development, SDGs, Environment, etc.  

  4. Applications need to be submitted under the specific task and please select the one you are applying to (“Media team at the Relay”, or “Reporter at the Relay in the country XX” or “YRE at COP27”).  

YRE Wins 1st Place in E-Environment Category for #YREstayshome Challenge – WSIS 2022

Last Tuesday, the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) was awarded 1st place in the E-Environment Category as part of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) for the Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) programme’s #YREstayshome challenge.

The #YREstayshome challenge was run in 2020 during the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. As such, being recognized as a winner in the E-Environment Category is a source of great pride for FEE and Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) programme as well.


The #YREstayshome’s Contribution to WSIS Action Point

The award delivered by the WSIS demonstrates the #YREstayshome challenge’s contribution to WSIS’s action points and recognises FEE as an actor in the implementation of WSIS strategy.

The E-Environment Category is part of the 7th WSIS’s action point “Information and Communications Technology (ICT) applications: benefits in all aspects of life.” The #YREstayshome challenge also meets the 4th WSIS’s action point of “Capacity building.”


Implementing the SDGs through FEE and the YRE Programme

The WSIS is fully committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In order to be selected as a champion and winner, a project must meet one or more of the SDGs. The #YREstayshome challenge was implemented through the YRE programme and thereby contributes to Goal 4: Quality Education. This goal aims to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”.

Indeed, the #YREstayshome challenge engaged students in countries around the world and while the world has begun to slowly recover from the pandemic, students are still experiencing the impacts of Covid-19. Activities such as the #YREstayshome challenge remain relevant for young people wanting to use their voice to raise awareness of environmental issues in their local communities, despite the other challenges that may exist.

Many thanks to the students, teachers, and global community that have supported FEE and the YRE programme, especially over the past two years!

#YREstayshome won an international prize!

A few weeks ago, the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) has been recognized as a WSIS Prizes 2022 Champion in the eEnvironment category for the #yrestayshome challenge.

And now it is official! The initiative won the prize yesterday during the WSIS ceremony in Geneva!

Gosia Luszczeck (left), International Young Reporters for the Environment Director receiving the WSIS 2022 Prize for #YREstayshome challenge, in Geneva (Switzerland).

The #YREstayshome challenge

The idea of the challenge has born at the very beginning of the pandemic in 2020. In front of the multiplication of lockdown across the world, the main stake was to keep students active in reporting about environmental problems.

The objective was to prove that everybody can still be an ambassador of the environment and influence his/her community while being at home.

Every week, ideas were shared on how people can still be involved in the YRE programme and gain new skills, raise awareness, and investigate environmental issues from home.

Gosia Luszczeck, International Young Reporters for the Environment Director with the #YREstayshome poster, in Geneva (Switzerland).

About yesterday’s WSIS ceremony

We are proud to announce that the #yrestayshome challenge won the WSIS prize in the e-environment category!

What does it mean?

It does mean that this challenge, made for keeping students active during pandemic represents success stories in the implementation of the WSIS Action Lines and SDGs

The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) is a United Nations (UN) summit that started its very first phase in 2003. It recognizes and highlight the importance of technology and communications in sustainable development.

The WSIS Actions Lines, also known as the Geneva Plan of Action, established in 2003, identify 18 areas of actions in which several stakeholders like organizations, governments but also civil society can work to achieve and develop the great potential of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for development.

Therefore, we are proud that the YRE programme won in the e-environment, as it recognizes once again the role of the programme in development.

All the winners of the WSIS Prizes 2022, in Geneva (Switzerland).

The #YREstayshome challenge poster.

Thank you all for supporting us !

YRE Competition: Vote for your favourite work

This year, we have received 234 submissions from 35 countries! They are all impressive and creative works from young people.  

After meticulous pre-selection by a professional team from FEE Head Office, we are now sending out these shortlisted entries for the International Jury to decide the winners for different groups. 

Simply by clicking the “Enjoy” button in the upper right corner and share it with your friends. You have five votes at most for each entry! Enjoy the beautiful works, find your favourite, and help them to be recognized for their wonderful and committed work! 

Portugal, 2020, Photo Campaign

The winners of the YRE International Competition 2022 will be selected by the Jury and announced at the beginning of July 2022.  So stay tuned!

Good luck to all and congratulations to the shortlisted stories!  

Discover shortlisted entries here:

ARTICLES 11-14 YEARS 

ARTICLES 15-18 YEARS

ARTICLES 19-25 YEARS 

Single Photo reportage 

Single Photo Campaign  

Photo reportage consisting of 3-5 photos 

VIDEO 11-14 YEARS 

VIDEO 15-18 YEARS 

VIDEO 19-25 YEARS 

International Collaboration

 

Entries are presented in random order.

Congratulations to all!

Newest report: Achieving Global Practices in Education For Sustainable Development

The Foundation for Environmental Education’s (FEE) strategy, GAIA 20:30, outlines climate, biodiversity loss and environmental pollution as three critical issues facing our planet today.

In line with this, FEE, in partnership with the Mars Wrigley Foundation, has been running the Litter Less Campaign since 2011. Implemented through the Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) and Eco-Schools programmes, the Litter Less Campaign offers a transformative educational approach to issues of litter and waste in schools and communities.

 

“Taking action to address unsustainable levels of consumption, pollution, and waste (SDG 12) is arguably the most urgent of the three, as reversal of both climate change (SDG 13) and biodiversity loss (SDGs 14 & 15) depend upon it.” - (Executive Summary, Achieving Global Best Practices in Education for Sustainable Development)

 

The newly published report “Achieving Global Best Practices in Education for Sustainable Development” evaluates the Litter Less Campaign through the lens of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), highlighting best practices that support education, address the issues of litter and waste and promote sustainable development. It explores how activities implemented as part of the Litter Less Campaign contribute to achieving SDGs 12 through 15 by engaging students, educators and the wider community through the ‘bottom-up’ methodologies that define the YRE and Eco-Schools programmes.

To discover best practices in ESD through the Litter Less Campaign, read the full report here.

YRE just joined #UnescoGreenCitizens!

We are very proud to announce that the Young Reporters for the Environment programme has been chosen to be featured on the UNESCO Green Citizens platform! The platform promotes a selection of change agents and innovative projects with a big impact and solutions that can be easily replicated.

You can find YRE’s page here! The website is available in French and in English so feel free to share it far and wide!

Individuals can support and/or join YRE, which will help increase our reach and strengthen environmental education around the world!

To be selected for the platform, we presented key achivements of the programme, and of course, we showed your journalistic pieces submitted to the YRE competition. These photos are also available on the UNESCO Green Citizens platform, so if you want to have a look, it is right here.

2 YRE students will cover the Collision Conference in Toronto from 20th to 23rd of June 2022!

Liam Brintnell and Aian Binlayo from Canada have received media passes to cover the Collision Conference between June 20th and 23rd 2022!

More than 140 countries and 33,000 attendees will participate in one of the world’s biggest tech conferences.

This event gathers attendees from all over the world related to a large diversity of tech fields. YRE’s role will be to interview speakers, engage audiences through social media, and create a final story about this amazing event!

100 speakers will join the Collision Conference, and among them you can find:

  • Andrew MacAfee, Principal Research Scientist, MIT

  • Brad Garlinghouse, CEO, Ripple

  • Catherine Powell, Global Head of Hosting, Airbnb

  • Danielle Belton, Editor-in-chief, HuffPost

  • Kelly Burton, PhD, Executive Director, Black Innovation Alliance

  • Jimmy Wales, Founder, Wikipedia

Discover all the speakers here.

The Aim of the Collision Conference

During the conference, experts and learners will share their latest ideas, products or tools that’ll bring them to the next level. It shapes a great community of people and companies that create an unforgettable experience.

This is an occasion to meet and listen to entrepreneurs, politicians, top athletes…

Also, more than 1,200 journalists will cover the event, so this is a great opportunity for our 2 YRE students to get inspired and meet people to build their own network!

Who Are Our YRE Students?

 

I'm a 20-year-old Sport Business undergrad student with a passion for digital media and interviewing. I will have my first opportunity to work with YRE in 2022 at the Collision Conference in Toronto. I've hosted and run digital media projects such as podcasts and web shows before, as well as helped prepare the Iris Griffith Nature Reserves for opening in the Sunshine Coast, BC. I'm unbelievably excited to connect these two passions.”

Liam Brintnell

Aian Binlayo

Aian Binlayo is an award-winning, corporate sustainability and environmental communications professional with a proven track record in helping organizations plan and execute their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy. From Fortune 500 to family-owned businesses, he has worked with companies across industries on their sustainability reporting, stakeholder engagement, and corporate social responsibility programs. Aian is a graduate from Harvard University, where he majored in Environmental Science and Public Policy.

Use this time with experts to talk with them about sustainable solutions in this field as well as their current actions to reduce carbon footprint in the industry! Everyone must have ideas for fighting against the climate change, we are therefore looking forward your stories from the Collision Conference 2022!

YRE Litter Less Campaign x World Organisation of the Scout Movement (WOSM) and UNESCO Associated Schools Network (ASPnet)

One of the goals of the Litter Less Campaign is to raise awareness of litter and waste. We aim to run this campaign as a global activity open to as many communities around the globe as possible. UNESCO ASPnet and the World Organisation of the Scouts Movement has joined to enlarge the effect of the campaign, to increase the knowledge and improve the positive behaviour change of youth and communities.

About UNESCO Associated Schools Network (ASPnet)

The UNESCO Associated Schools Network (ASPnet) links educational institutions across the world around a common goal: to develop the foundations of peace in the minds of children and young people.

Since its origins in 1953, ASPnet has developed into a unique network of schools connecting more than 11,500 educational institutions in 182 countries. They promote the ideals and values enshrined in the Constitution of UNESCO and the Charter of the United Nations, including fundamental rights and human dignity, gender equality, social progress, freedom, justice and democracy, respect for diversity and international solidarity.

ASPnet focuses on three Thematic Action Areas: global citizenship and a culture of peace and non-violence, sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, and inter-cultural learning and the appreciation of cultural diversity and heritage.

With its thematic action areas, the network aims to make an important contribution to transforming education systems and to reaching Target 7 of Sustainable Development Goal 4 - Education 2030 by fostering safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments.

ABOut the World Organisation of Scout Movement (WOSM)

Scouting is the world’s leading educational youth movement, engaging millions of young people to be active citizens and create positive change in their communities. The World Scout Movement is made up of more than 57 million Scouts connected together through a membership network of 172 National Scout Organizations.

The WOSM has been created to promote the unity of the Scout movement over the world and reinforce the sense of global community through an international scout network. It supports the development of the scouting movement which contributes to the education of youth through values of solidarity, cooperation, and inclusivity.

The YRE programme shares the values and objectives of the two networks and looking forward to a fruitful with them during the Litter Less Campaign Phase V.

Litter Less Campaign - Spain - Phase IV

PRESS RELEASE: Litter Less Campaign Phase V

 

Litter Less Campaign 

The longest-running school campaign on litter continues.

Over 3.6 million students from more than 6000 schools across the world have participated in the Litter Less Campaign for the past 11 years. Over the years, the campaign has given students, teachers, parents, and local communities the key to better understanding and addressing the issue of litter and waste. 

The Litter Less Campaign, which was launched in 2011, has just entered its fifth phase and will be implemented in 7 Eco-Schools and 4 YRE countries until 2025. The campaign is a joint initiative between the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and the Mars Wrigley Foundation, which educates children and youth on the issue of litter and gives them the opportunity to engage their local communities in awareness-raising activities.  The newest phase of the Litter Less Campaign will also be implemented in partnership with UNESCO ASPnet and the World Organisation of Scouts Movement (WOSM). 

Through the Eco-Schools and Young Reporters for the Environment programmes, students will carry out litter action plans and media campaigns that aim to address specific litter and waste issues. These issues will be carefully selected by the schools together with their National Operators in order to achieve the biggest and most relevant impact in their local communities. 

“The environmental code of conduct has been drawn up and reformed. The LLC has served to put more care and respect for the environment on the lips of our educational community. The development and implementation of the project was a big strength: advertising, collaboration in the campaign of local companies, promotion of sustainable local commerce.”, an Eco-School teacher from CEIP Tierra de Pinares (Spain). 

Litter Less Campaign - Scotland - Phase IV

A campaign with a new approach  

Unlike previous years, Phase V of the Litter Less Campaign is taking a new approach to litter and waste.  This new phase will focus on tackling gender inequalities, engaging new partners, building the capacities of stakeholders to take action on litter and waste, and monitoring and evaluation of progress by gathering data from schools through an online platform. Experience from teachers implementing the LLC provides valuable insight into the campaign’s effects on students learning.  

“YRE and Eco-Schools have afforded the pupils more opportunities to engage in outdoor activities. They have been essential in opening pupils’ eyes and minds to issues regarding the environment in their area. They have empowered young people to take action and recognize that they can be part of the solution.” -Teacher from St. Mary’s CBGS school (Northern Ireland). 

Litter Less Campaign - Kenya - Phase III

Monitoring and evaluation of the campaign conducted over the past four years demonstrated positive impact on students’ knowledge, attitude, and opinion leadership with respect to littering and waste management. The data shows that students who participate in the campaign know more about waste management, conserve more resources, and are less likely to litter compared with students who do not participate in the campaign. In the next three years, a more thorough evaluation will be implemented in order to bring a more in-depth understanding of the campaign’s effect on students. 

FEE is committed to strive for excellence in its programmes and campaign. Through the evaluation of the Litter Less Campaign, we not only gain insights on how to improve in promoting ESD but also demonstrate to our sponsor, our member organizations and to the teachers themselves how their efforts contribute to improvements in student’s waste literacy as well as to a healthier and cleaner environment. 

“The main aim of this assessment is to demonstrate impact on a large scale, it relies mostly on quantitative data analysis. However, qualitative data in form of case studies and statements from teachers implementing the campaign was also included. The case studies show how students bring about a change in the awareness for waste issues in their community during the LLC that is more difficult to capture through a global quantitative survey,” says Shimon Ginzburg, Project Evaluation Officer at the FEE Head Office.    

Litter Less Campaign - England - Phase III

About the Foundation for Environmental Education 

Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) is the world's largest environmental education organization with members in 77 countries. Through five ground-breaking programs, FEE empowers people to take meaningful and purposeful action to help create a more sustainable world. 

 About the Mars Wrigley Foundation 

The Mars Wrigley Foundation partners with organizations around the world to help people and communities flourish. Founded in 1987, the Foundation works to provide oral health education and care, improve lives in mint- and cocoa-growing regions, prevent litter and waste, and create vibrant communities.

 

Seven Young Reporters Students selected to participate in the Youth Environment Education Congress (YEEC) – 13 – 17 March 2022 in Prague (Czech Republic)

Youth Environmental Education Congress (YEEC) is a side event of THE 11th WORLD ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CONGRESS (WEEC). A unique event driven by young people who are changing the world by being active within civic and environmental challenges and promoting the enhancement of their education and steps for a long-term future.

YEEC focusing on the support and development of youth with active participation in public affairs, education, environmental, climate and sustainability issues. Bringing together active youths from around the world to inspire and support one another while experiencing an engaging 5 day program. Together they will deliver a message on youth needs and environmental education at the 11th World Environmental Education Congress and will discuss it with leading world educators and key actors in environmental education.

FEE and the YRE programme are the official partners of YEEC and will be presented there also to run different sessions and facilitate activities with youth. More about YEEC can be found here Youth Congress (weec2022.org)



As the Youth Environmental Education Congress will take place in one week, it is time to present to you the YRE students selected!

·    Eva Šintler

·    Demetra Jarc

·    Kristina Mihelinč

·    Luka Skok

·    Maša Melinc

·    Melani Jagodič

·    Omar Husejnagić

Congratulations to them!

As a reminder, their mission will be to:

·    Participate in an entire week training about environmental issues.

·    Attend to different workshops, trainings, but also trips and visits to local organizations and places

·    Report their experience at YEEC.

Students can choose to make either articles or short videos that will be published on YRE’s Exposure page. They are also asked to make daily posts on YRE social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) and to represent programmes’ internationally. 

Among 110 participants of the YEEC we have also YRE students from Turkey, Morocco, Northern Ireland and other countries.

Winners of YRE Video Competition for the Promotion of the Global Forest Fund (GFF)

We're happy to announce the winners of the international video competition with the theme “Global Forest Fund – Makes the World a Better Place”. During the competition young professionals from South Africa, Montenegro, Portugal and South Korea created promotional videos for the Global Forest Fund (GFF), the Foundation for Environmental Education's (FEE) unique carbon offsetting scheme. The aim was to promote the GFF as an attractive tool for individuals, organisations and businesses to offset their carbon emissions.

Three prizes, each of 700 Euros, were awarded to:

  • Beatriz Ferrão de Magalhães Sousa, Mariana Filipa Carvalho de Oliveira, Pedro Augusto Rosa Silva Nonaka, Carolina Pereira Barbosa and Theresa Gomes Carneiro de Sousa from OFICINA-INA’s Professional School, Portugal.

  • The Environmental Inspectors: Ivo Fonseca, Beatriz Silva, Beatriz Marques and João Maia from OFICINA-INA’s Professional School, Portugal.

  • Petar Dzakovic, Luka Vucic, Jovana Golovic, Marko Pejanovic, Momcilo Pekic, Andjela Cizmovic, Danilo Grbovic, Masa Bubanja, Vukan Radunovic, Sava Radunovic, Vladimir Vujadinovic, Lidija Dzakovic from Montenegro.

The videos are an excellent example of how young professionals  can use the skills they've developed in the YRE programme to make the world a better place.

Watch all three videos below!

Join the Jamboree Denmark 2022 as an Environmental Reporter!

Are you a YRE student who is part of the global Scouts network?

Are you 15 or older and an opinion leader?

Do you care about environmental issues and are interested in photography, writing or videography?

THEN WE’VE GOT SOMETHING FOR YOU!

Spejdernes Lejr 2022, in collaboration with the Young Reporters for Environment programme (YRE), are inviting youth to not only participate in the Jamboree Denmark 2022, but also to experience it through the lens of an environmental journalist!

This summer, more than 40,000 Scouts and Guides from the whole world participate in the biggest Jamboree in the Nordic countries. Jamboree Denmark 2022 will take place near Copenhgaen from the 23rd-31st of July and is organized by five Danish Scout and Guides associations and more than 4,000 volunteers who have created more than 200 fun and educational activities under the theme ‘Our Common Future’.


Want to Practice Your Journalism Skills?

Be an Environmental Journalist at Jamboree Denmark 2022!

Through the collaboration with the YRE programme, you will also have the opportunity to act as an environmental journalist during the Jamboree! This means you’ll get to interview Jamboree participants, take photos, and create videos that focus on and raise awareness about environmental issues, such as litter and waste, climate change and loss of biodiversity. Your stories will then be shared through various media channels (Facebook, Instagram, various websites) and help raise public awareness about environmental challenges. At the end of the Jamboree, you will get a certificate from the international YRE programme. There are only 45 spots for environmental journalists at Jamboree Denmark 2022 so make sure to register below!

SIGN UP TO BE AN ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALIST!

There are only 45 spaces available, so get ready!

Registration to be an environmental journalist for the Jamboree Denmark 2022 open on February 16 and close on May 31st.


Don’t Forget to Prepare!

To help you polish up your journalism skills and make sure you’re ready to be an environmental journalist at the Jamboree, you can participate in three Environmental Journalism courses to help polish up your reporting skills! These courses are for free and will be available online through FEE Academy from May to June 2022. You can find more information below.

Ready to get started? Find out what’s happening when below!

Want more details about the different activities? You can find more information here.