26/04/2006
- Young people with a passion for the environment
are helping ensure the spirit of Sir Peter Blake's
work lives on, through a forum aimed at inspiring
action in their own communities.
Forty-five environmentally active
teenagers from 15 regions are in Wellington this
week as part of the 2006 Sir Peter Blake Youth
Environment Forum.
The forum is being hosted by
the Ministry for the Environment (the Ministry)
in partnership with the Sir Peter Blake Trust
and regional councils, with involvement from Environment
Minister David Benson-Pope and Youth Affairs and
Associate Environment Minister Nanaia Mahuta.
While attending the forum, the
delegates work with Ministry staff on practical
projects, focusing on water quality, waste management
and urban design. They will also measure their
own impact on their environment through daily
‘waste audits’. At the end of the forum, they
present their project findings, before taking
these back to their own schools and communities
for action.
"As Minister for Youth
Affairs and Associate Minister for the Environment,
I am particularly pleased to be involved in an
event which combines two of my passions,"
Ms Mahuta said.
"This forum is a fantastic
opportunity for young people to gain a greater
awareness of environmental issues and to provide
inspiration for them to take future action to
improve and protect their own environment.
"Managing the challenges
and opportunities that face our environment is
a complex issue. The decisions that are made today
will have an impact tomorrow. This is why it is
especially important that committed young people
like those at this forum have a strong understanding
of the issues facing this country, and are supported
and encouraged to help find the solutions to them.
"Sir Peter was a great
leader and an inspiration to many. In line with
his vision, this government firmly believes that
young people can make a real difference to the
sustainable development of our country and our
world. We are therefore committed to supporting
the interest that young people have in the environment
and ensuring a sustainable future for both."
The forum is the third organised
by the Ministry.
