Volvo Adventure beckons young environmentalists

Volvo today announced a Volvo Adventure Competition in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to recognise and reward practical environmental action being taken by young people in their local community.

Volvo Adventure is a joint project run by the Volvo Group, Volvo Car Corporation. The competition culminates with the presentation of Volvo Young Environmentalists Awards.

The global internet-based global environmental-education programme for school children aged between 10 and 16 is aimed at increasing the environmental expertise of tomorrow's decision-makers and consumers.

The initial stages of the programme is conducted entirely online and is aimed at combining fun, learning and practical action for young people concerned with the environment, a Volvo company press release said.

Volvo India managing director Eric Leblanc said Volvo has instituted the global environmental award to encourage young people to proactively participate in environmental education programmmes and gain international recognition through their local initiatives.

"From our experience in the last four years, we know that the children have far more energy, concern and ideas on the way forward than we often realise. We now look forward to the next set of ideas and actions that these young people bring to the table."

Part of the education programme for the 2006 award consists of a competition structured around groups of a maximum of five participants who undertake environment-promotion projects.

These 3-5 students from a school or community between the ages of 10-16 years have to work on a practical action project that will improve their school or community environment. At least one adult / teacher has to act as a referee/mentor/guide for the group.

The projects can focus on any environmental subject. For example, in the past projects submitted were on themes like biodiversity, waste management, water management and energy conservation.

To register for the award, teams will have to log onto the Volvo Adventure on www.volvoadventure.org. and register on-line to help start their environmental project. They can also download a host of relevant information for guidance. The last day to submit projects is January 31, 2007.

The prizes include an all expenses paid trip to attend the Volvo Adventure Conference in Sweden and win a cash prize of $10,000, $6,000 or $4,000 to fund environmental projects.