Myself, Simran Vedvyas, 13 years old officially represented as Eye on Earth Youth Ambassador.  Focusing and keeping an Eye on Environmental Education and saying- Optimism is something that could save us from the negative world that is always expecting something dreadful to happen next. The Future We Want must constitute a sustainable, just and peaceful world- THE WORLD WE WANT.  Children and youth are our hope for tomorrow. They are the next Champions. There can be no greater cause for development consensus; than bringing the needs, rights and expectations of the youth to the centre-stage of development concern. It is our duty to rekindle the imagination of our youth so that the nation surges ahead with added strength and vigor.  Human Power is Infinite, we have the technology, the resources and I know many others like me are constantly working; because there is still a choice to do so? to empower and to do well.   We need to act now- We need to share our knowledge- We need to formulate knowledge into wisdom – We need to move forward together and above all ?We need to deliver the vision.

I got the opportunity to share the stage with some very renowned and illustrious environmental personalities which included—

Professor Joseph Alcamo, Chief Scientist, UNEP,

Dr Ashraf Al-Najdawi, Abu Dhabi Education Council - ADEC, UAE ,

Victoria Colbert, Escuela Nueva Foundation, Colombia,

Dr. Lilian Pintea, Jane Goodall Institute - Roots & Shoots,  

Mr Rob Swan, Explorer (first person to walk to North & South poles)

The Eye on Earth Community within the Eye on Earth Summit Declaration have committed to:
Enhance efforts on incorporating environmental information and programs into education curriculum at all levels: primary, secondary and tertiary and developing life learning programs for professional development such as distance learning activities

This is to be achieved by- the consolidation and strengthening of partnerships and networks, the creation of a common environmental education knowledge management infrastructure; the support of capacity building; pilot testing of region-based applications of the global environmental education academy network project.

This will include presentations on:
- The Education that takes place when individuals are challenged to the extreme – Case Example of individuals in Antarctica,
- The importance of environmental education for those who need it,
- Transforming Education for the poor through experiential environmental education for youth in developing countries,
- How technology can support transformative education – Case Example - Environmental Atlas of Abu Dhabi Emirate – Interactive Access,
- Citizen science and local community-based environmental education - Establishing an environmental legacy.

The best part of the event was that the entire set up would be donated for Favelas, slum people as a Resource centre and a place to educate children and most of it was made with environment friendly material.

What was said about me in the Official Press and Media releases motivates me and inspires me to use every ounce of my strength to reach out and work the best as I can to work for the initiative

Simran Vedvyas, the Eye on Earth Youth Ambassador spoke of the need for change, but to do this -youth needs to be the change-  Only 13 years old, Simran is very accustomed to the limelight, having presented at the Rio+20 Youth Blast on Monday 12th June. Simran departs today for her next role as torch-bearer representing the United Arab Emirates at the London Olympic Games Torch Relay.

LINKS-

UNEP- OFFICIAL WEBSITE-

http://www.unep.org/rio20/Side-Events/FullDetails.aspx?ID=52

EYE ON EARTH- OFFICIAL WEBSITE-

http://www.eyeonearthsummit.org/news/all-eyes-environmental-education

LEADING NEWS PAPER THE NATIONAL- NEWS ARTICLE-

http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/olympic-torch-carried-by-uae-schoolgirl

EYE ON EARTH- OFFICIAL WEBSITE- SPEAKER PROFILE

http://www.eyeonearthsummit.org/speakers/simran-vedvyas