Hiroko Makino (participant)
*Group name
"SKG Kids" (Junior Eco-Club)
*SKG stands for Shizen (Nature), Kankyo (Environment), and Genki (Vigor)
*Country/Region
Gifu Prefecture, Japan
*Type of Group
Community
*Number of total members of your group/project
13 persons
*Number of regular participants in activities
13 persons
*Characteristic of members
Our group is made up of children from our neighborhood. We pick up trash on our school route, research water quality of a nearby river, play in the nature, and enjoy creating recycled crafts. Adults in the city support us in our activities.
*Theme(s) of your group/project
*Energy Issues, *Waste and Recycling, *Water Issues, *Nature Conservation
*Missions and activities of your group/project
With the belief that the environmental condition in the region affects the environmental condition of the earth, we pick up litter on the streets, do energy conservation activities at home as well as clean the rivers. We also exchange ideas with the City Development Center.
*Characteristics of the group/project activities
All boys and girls in our group, elementary and junior high school students, work well together: we help out one another while fulfilling one's responsibility. Younger students learn about nature and environment through playing and doing crafts while older students take part in activities such as stonefly watching and various researches.
*Most importnat way of thinking of your group/project for environment
"Let's do what we can and enjoy protecting the earth. Let us follow through with our efforts."
*Major publications and articles
Wall Newspaper (Junior Eco-Club activity report) Every year we submit an article to a public relations magazine, "Blue, Green, and the Sun," of Ena City Environmental Management Department.
*What kind of group/project do you want to exchange for imformation and experience with?
Foreign groups which took part in the Summit with similar aged children and ideas. Groups in Japan with similar makeup of children.
*Short message for exchange with other group/project
We're looking for groups which would like to share ideas with us on what we can do locally, as well as on a global scale, and interact with us so we can learn from one another.
*Impression of Children's World Summit for the Environment 2005 Aichi
What we learned at the Summit: we were inspired to do what we can to reduce the amount of Freon gas, to increase the number of trees, and to battle global warming.(Hiroko Makino)
It was wonderful that children from such various countries held discussions on a single theme and took part in activities together. I'd like to continue my efforts in activities that convey the theme and wishes of this event to others. Keeping in touch with new friends from around the globe would be wonderful. I was encouraged to keep up the diligent work.(Kazuyo Aoyama:chaperon)
*Others
It has been difficult to find many students who want to work for the same cause. We've been trying to establish similar groups in our city and nearby cities, but have been unsuccessful at finding adults who can support us. It is my strong wish that the student will not forget about their experience being involved in activities when they grow up. (Kazuyo Aoyama)
*Contact person
Kazuyo Aoyama
*Contact Address
486-1 Ooi-cho, Ena-city, Gifu 509-7201 Japan
aoyama.ka@nifty.com
