Communiqués de presse et annonces

	Two youth presenters at the forum which took place 20 - 22 October 2006

17 oct. 2006

YIP Going Green: BC Youth in Philanthropy Groups Organize Environment Forum

Squamish, BC, 20-22 October 2006

The Evans Lake Forestry Education Society Camp near Squamish, BC, will be the site of youth gearing up for environmental action, as young people from three continents will participate in the Going Green youth forum.

The event has been organized by members of BC community foundation youth advisory councils (YACs), which make grants to worthwhile youth projects, undertake leadership activities, and work to build permanent youth endowment funds in their communities. They are part of a growing international movement to engage youth in philanthropy, volunteerism and citizenship, and recognize that, by strategic use of their resources and networks, they can have greater impact on important social and environmental issues.

In addition to British Columbia YAC members and their adult advisors, participants will also include youth from community foundations in Hamilton, Ontario and Kaliningrad, Russia. Together with Canadian and African youth involved in a Canada World Youth exchange program, they will discuss important environmental issues, and formulate plans to increase youth involvement in environmental issues in their communities.

Participants will learn about environment issues, and ideas and skills for action from environment and youth organizations such as Check Your Head, Smartgrowth, the Evergreen Foundation, and 20/20 Vision. They will also hear from YACs and community foundations that have already been involved in environmental grantmaking and leadership, such as:

the Hamilton Foundation YAC's POET program (Protecting Our Environment Together);
the Sunshine Coast Community Foundation's "Garbage-free Lunch Days";
the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan's "Youth in Action" high school environmental grants program.

A short documentary on water conservation produced by students attending Princess Margaret Secondary School in Penticton titled "Stop the Drip" will be featured.

Before returning to their communities, participating youth will make plans for action, staying in touch, and building on the Going Green experience at local, regional and international levels. According to Quinn Runkle, 15, of the Sunshine Coast Community Foundation YAC:"YACers need more opportunities to go for things that really interest them, because I think it's super important for people to be able to find what part of environmental work really fits their needs."

Contact:

Ainsley Sutherland, Advisor for the Youth in Philanthropy Council of the West Vancouver Community Foundation

Cell: (604) 788-7746

ainsley_sutherland@hotmail.com

www.yipcanada.org

For more information on Youth in Philanthropy, please visit www.yipcanada.org.

Return to YIP Going Green main page

Documents connexes :

		Full program (PDF - 107 KB)