We are deep into last quarter of 2011, and it is time to focus on planning our work, activities and highlights for the next year.
We will continue to work through different channels - local communities, local councils, governmental bodies, schools and, of course, general population.
We are keeping our focus strong on education and working together towards goals we all consider important:
LOW CARBON TRANSPORT / TRAVEL - moving beyond fossil fuels when choosing your travel or transport option has been something Nektarina Non Profit has been actively promoting and educating on since 2009 - weather it is our campaign "Cut carbon, choose a train" (started in 2010), the "Bike to work" programme that is ongoing in Croatia, or us joining forces with state railways across the region we are active in to help them improve, educate and inspire people to choose trains over airplanes (or cars) when taking a trip (co-operation we started in 2011).
In 2012 we will continue to work together with communities, but also with the public and private sector in helping raise awareness and inspire more and more people to choose a low carbon transport options for themselves, their families and their businesses.
Low carbon transport helps not only in the reduction of GHG emissions (CO2 in particular), but it also helps solve congestion and parking problems in urban areas, reduce pollution and much more.
LIVEABLE CITIES - During 2011 we did a series of forums and debates on what makes a liveable city, how to make our urban habitats more sustainable, and how to achieve climate change mitigation targets in urban areas. We helped advocate for low carbon transport options (the city of Moscow is building 16,000 bicycle parks, just to name one), we worked with artists and architects on raising awareness through design and new, more sustainable urban planning, and we helped people living in big urban areas learn about the ways they can help their urban communities reduce energy usage, reduce water usage, reduce waste output and reduce water usage.
In 2012 we will continue our work on building more liveable cities, and we will help urban communities seize the opportunities to make their cities more energy sustainable by working in co-operatives, public-private partnerships and by including all age groups in the transition process.
SUSTAINABILITY AS A SELECTIVE SUBJECT IN SCHOOLS - our "big thing" for 2012 and beyond - advocating for sustainability to be introduced in schools' curriculum as a selective subject. We are aiming elementary and secondary schools (high schools) - so children and youth age 6 - 18.
Just imagine a long-term positive impact that would have on so many levels! We will be working with a group of experts, advisers and legal teams to make sure we are on the right track and well-argumented when we discuss this with Ministries of Education and Governments.
We will not be alone - our network already contains over 5,000 schools across the region, and they, together with their pupils, students, their families and communities, will help us advocate and petition towards our joint goal - providing children with the opportunity to learn about sustainability from the very start of their formal education.
Rio +20, a UN conference on sustainable development will be held in Rio de Janeiro in June 2012 - a great way to help us get more support and more people on board.
We hope you will keep following our work and progress, and keep joining our forums and debates, film screenings and workshops, as well as all the other ways we use to educate, raise awareness, network and help our communities, countries and regions move towards a more healthier, more environmentally friendly and more sustainable future.
