Rio+You Campaign and Earth Charter Celebrate Earth Day
On April 22nd, Earth Charter Youth Network, the Costa Rican Red Cross Youth group, and the Ministry of Education in Costa Rica hosted the Rio+You campaign in the Plaza de la Democracia in San Jose, Costa Rica in celebration of Earth Day. Rio+You is a global youth awareness campaign about the importance of sustainable development on the road to Rio+20. Rio+20, the UN Conference on Sustainable Development, will take place in Rio de Janeiro in June 2012 and will focus on two major themes: the green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication; and the institutional framework for sustainable development. Most importantly it’s expected that in Rio+20, a new political international agenda for sustainable development will be defined.
All were welcomed to come together to celebrate Earth Day and to promote sustainable and friendly ways we can help the environment. This event took place in over fifty cities, in hopes to call attention from the media and mobilize thousands of people to raise awareness of the importance of sustainability and protecting the environment. The youth groups represented are dedicated to stressing the importance of effective policy making that promotes the transition to a more sustainable world. They are also spreading the word throughout their communities that change is not only the responsibility of those in charge, but also of all citizens.
Nora Mahmoud, the ECI International Youth Coordinator informed the public about ways youth can get involved in the Earth Charter youth network and Rio + 20. Here she also met with several Costa Rican youth members from the Spanish Youth Leadership, Sustainability and Ethics short course which is currently being offered in partnership with international youth organization, Pides. Pides is committed to empowering youth by catalyzing, generating, and helping develop projects related to different social and environmental needs. The I, Youth Campaign is Pides’ main youth campaign geared towards the Rio+20 Summit.