YLT Candidates: Latin America and the Caribbean
Latin America and the Caribbean has produced three YLT Candidates, two from Brazil and one from Mexico. One of the Candidates is female and two are male.
Voters, learn about your regional Candidates and ask them constructive questions by "posting a comment" after the last profile. Please include your name and country on each question or response. Submit your vote to dominic [@] earthcharterinaction.org by midnight (CET) on Sunday 23 September.
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Mr. Bruno Alencar, Brazil
Read Bruno's CV
My name is Bruno, I am 20 years old. I was born in Brazil and I live in a city called Salvador.
I work with environmental education at public schools in my city; my main task is building a local Agenda 21 in each school. I have recently arrived from Tunza Internacional Youth Conference held in Germany where I represented my country.
2. What inspires you most about the Earth Charter?
Earth Chapter’s commitment with environmental education
3. What inspires you most about the ECYI?
Its concern about the value and importance of the young participation in environmental causes
4. What innovative – and cost effective – ideas do you have for expanding ECYI membership and diversity in your region and creating a strong regional network?
Promoting events inside poor communities, schools and universities to popularize EC‘s awareness;
5. What special skills, knowledge, or experiences will you draw upon in this work?
Own personal experience: To see through my work that a more ethical and better world is possivel.
Professional experience: I will construct a solid base on environmental education, I will have experiences in international work shops
6. What challenges do you foresee encountering in your work as a YLT member?
Defender valores morais em um mundo cada vez mais vazio de sentimentos humanitários.
To defend ethics and environmental values in a world that is lacking of humanized and ethics values
7. Realistically, how much time do you have to dedicate to your YLT duties each week?
20 hours per week
8. When did you first learn about the Earth Charter?
At my University, one year ago through my coordinator, Camila Godinho.
9. When did you join the ECYI?
August 2007
10. What is your date of birth?
12th of November, 1986
11. Do you have good spoken and written English skills?
Yes
12. Do you have good access to the Internet?
Yes
13. Have you read the entire text of the “YLT Guidelines” carefully?
Yes
14. Are you prepared and willing to fulfill all of the responsibilities required of YLT Representatives as detailed in the “YLT Guidelines?”
Yes
Ms. Gabriela Monteiro, Brazil
Read Gabriela's CV
I’m graduated in International Relations and my dream is to work with development/environment. I was elected to be the TUNZA Youth Advisor of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) for Latin America and the Caribbean from 2007 to 2009. I’m looking forward to start to work on social/environmental projects in my community and strengthen the Tunza network.
2. What inspires you most about the Earth Charter?
What inspires me most about the Earth Charter is the possibility of creating a global ethical consensus that can guide the humanity for better living standard.
3. What inspires you most about the ECYI?
What inspires me most about the ECYI is the possibility of forming a global network of young people with the same interests and beliefs. It makes me stronger to know that there are many other young people just like me how also want to make the difference and are doing a substantial work on their local level.
4. What innovative – and cost effective – ideas do you have for expanding ECYI membership and diversity in your region and creating a strong regional network?
As I’m part of the Tunza Youth Advisory Council, I’ll have access to a great network in my region (Latin America and the Caribbean). Besides that, I’m also involved in an International students’ organization called AIESEC. The idea is to use both of the networks to expand the ECYI and make it stronger during the upcoming two years.
5. What special skills, knowledge, or experiences will you draw upon in this work?
I’m a very responsible, organized, committed and flexible person. I have experience on working with poor communities and elaborating projects. I have also a good experience of working and living abroad.
6. What challenges do you foresee encountering in your work as a YLT member?
Like in Tunza Advisory Council, I see as a challenge to work with people from all around the world. But at the same time, this challenge is a possibility of personal and professional growth and I’d like to take the best from this unique experience.
7. Realistically, how much time do you have to dedicate to your YLT duties each week?
5 hours per week
8. When did you first learn about the Earth Charter?
I got to know about the Earth Charter because of a teacher of mine, Camila Godinho. She was the person who inspired me the most during my life. She introduced me to the environmental and social issues and I became a real passionate. I told her that if I can do to at least one person what she did to me, I’ll consider myself a successful person.
9. When did you join the ECYI?
I joined the ECYI this year before going to the TUNZA International Youth Conference, in Leverkussen. There, I talked about the ECYI with other young people and some of them are interested in taking part of the initiative in their respective countries.
10. What is your date of birth?
07/09/1985
11. Do you have good spoken and written English skills?
Yes
12. Do you have good access to the Internet?
Yes
13. Have you read the entire text of the “YLT Guidelines” carefully?
Yes
14. Are you prepared and willing to fulfill all of the responsibilities required of YLT Representatives as detailed in the “YLT Guidelines?”
I’m very much prepared.
Mr. Namir Nava, Mexico
Read Namir's CV
I was born in Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico on March 26th 1980. I become from a middle class Christian family. Since my father was murdered in 1983 by the political and corruptive system of those years, my mother has become a defensor of human rights from local NGO’s, especially from women. Since I had studied communications, my interest has become on peace process and social changes; since seven years ago, I have been part of projects or NGO’s involved on human and sexual rights defense. I had encouraged many youth from my region to become part of this group that I had founded in 2003 named Multidisciplinary Group of Youth in Michoacan. From that group, we had spread the EC principles and we had made recommendations for the government trough documents as the Declaratory of Youth for Sustainable Development. Also, we had made social conscious trough radio campaigns and workshops to prevent homophobia and the respect for the construction of diverse families. I consider myself a promoter of peace and respect in my community.
2. What inspires you most about the Earth Charter?
The complete and integral vision that EC offer us to gain sustainable societies. The urgency to involve economic, environmental, peace and social aspects to development, especially for those poor countries.
3. What inspires you most about the ECYI?
The straight of young generations from all around the world to involve more people in sustainable livelihood.
4. What innovative – and cost effective – ideas do you have for expanding ECYI membership and diversity in your region and creating a strong regional network?
To involve young people in communication projects as radio campaigns, tv or internet to spread the principles of the EC among other young and adult people. Using local radio and t.v channels by signing collaborative agreements.
5. What special skills, knowledge, or experiences will you draw upon in this work?
My special skills are using the Education and Entertainment methodology for Social Changes on media involving young people. As a coordinator of the Radio ADO project, directed by Dr. Enriqueta Valdez of the University of Guadalajara, we have had changed risk attitudes for prevention and self-care behaviors trough a radio intervention. This methodology will be my tool to work the EC.
6. What challenges do you foresee encountering in your work as a YLT member?
Motivation to youth to participate as volunteers, coordination about the times in which some projects must be done and financial researches for coordinate international projects.
7. Realistically, how much time do you have to dedicate to your YLT duties each week?
4-5 Hours.
8. When did you first learn about the Earth Charter?
Four years ago.
9. When did you join the ECYI?
At the Amsterdam meeting in November 2005.
10. What is your date of birth?
26th March 1980
11. Do you have good spoken and written English skills?
Yes I do.
12. Do you have good access to the Internet?
Yes I do.
13. Have you read the entire text of the “YLT Guidelines” carefully?
Yes I have.
14. Are you prepared and willing to fulfill all of the responsibilities required of YLT Representatives as detailed in the “YLT Guidelines?”
Yes I am.
POST A COMMENT, BELOW!
Comments
G'day to all Fellow YLT Candidates,
I have enjoyed perusing all of your personal statements and CVs- quite the impressive bunch!
I just wanted to pose a general question to all candidates: quite a few of you have emphasized the potential role of ICT (e.g. Internet and radio) as an efficient and cost-effective means of raising ECYI awareness.
Do you disagree/agree? In the case of the latter, are there any specific projects or proposals that you would like to put forth if elected to the YLT?
Many thanks!
Lisa
Canada
Posted by: Lisa Jokivirta | September 19, 2007 7:32 PM
Hi Lisa!
I completely agree that ICT has a very important role to play regarding raising ECYI awareness.
But on the other hand, it's important to notice that in my region, Latin America, internet, for example, is not available for everybody. It's still limited to people who can pursue it.
What I believe would be the best means to raise awareness about the ECYI is to promote events with NGO's together with communities they work with and talk about the principles of the Earth Charter. And also, try to identify problems and find solutions taking those principles into account.
I hope I have answered your question =)
Best wishes!
Gabriela Monteiro
Brazil
Posted by: Gabriela Monteiro | September 20, 2007 9:50 AM
Hello everyone!
I'm Gabriela Monteiro, from Brazil, and a candidate for Latin America and Caribbean (vote for me! hehe!).
Well, I'd like to ask you all two questions:
1. Is environment an important topic in your government's agenda and; do citizens care about it? If not, do you think you can do anything to change it during your mandate?
2. How is the youth involvement regarding social/environmental issues in your country/community?
Thank you!
Warmest regards!
Gabi
Brazil
Posted by: Gabriela Monteiro | September 20, 2007 3:32 PM
Hello Lisa and Gabi:
I do totally agree with you Lisa about using radio and internet as a tool for raising ECYI awareness. Actually that has been our principal framework to promote the EC principles, through radio campaigns and a radio project involving all ECYI members.
On the other hand, Gabi is very right saying that our Latin American countries do not have a complete access to internet, however radio does. I will tell you more about this radio projects that we have later.
Gabi, about your questions:
1. In Mexico, the federal government has important issues about the environment care and citizens are more conscious about it too, but I think that we don’t have enough local campaigns to act in pro of the environment.
2. The youth involvement about social/environmental issues is not bad, but the few groups should be focused on the same goals, because sometimes we don’t even know each other.
See u!!!
Namir
Mexico
Posted by: Namir Nava | September 20, 2007 9:43 PM
G'day to all Fellow YLT Candidates,
I'm Anantdeep Singh Dhillon, from India, and a candidate for Asia and the Pacific (not here to demand any votes! hehe!).
I have enjoyed perusing all of your personal statements and CVs- quite impressive indeed!
I just wanted to pose a general question to fellow YLT aspirants:
Well I have a vision that faith groups can go a long way in assisting to play a potential role as effective means of raising ECYI awareness. We can work on peace & sustainable development.
Also other regional youth & human development NGO's can assist us.
What are your views about these ideas? Do give your inputs, and we need to have a balanced team.
Many thanks!
Anant
India
Posted by: Anantdeep Singh Dhillon | September 20, 2007 10:25 PM
To everyone (answers to Gabi + a question):
1. Serbia is currently trying very hard for EU membership. EU has a very strict environmental policy, so Serbian constitution and all regulations deeply correspond to the EU regulations. There are also severe punishments for people/factories that put nature in danger. But still, there are a few factories that pollute local rivers and forests.
Question: Regarding this issue, I have a question for everyone and I would really like an opinion from all of you about Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): – if a factory pollutes, and gets punished for that, but still calculates that it pays out less to pay these punishments than to install new, safe equipment, Q: - how to motivate this factory to care for the environment? And you still cannot shut this plant down, because there work hundreds and hundreds of people. I guess many countries in transition (and others as well) will come up on that problem. What solution would you suggest? How does your society and government deal with this problem?
2. To Gabi as well: Idea of being an active citizen is getting more and more supporters every day. It’s, how to put it, kind of a fashion, because here and now in Serbia, young people hope for much better life than it used to be in the past decade. So people are motivated and eager to get involved – ecological movements, gender equality, anti-trafficking, religious tolerance, basically every kind of NGO flourishes here.
Jana
Serbia
Posted by: Jana Kovandzic | September 20, 2007 11:20 PM
Dear Anant,
I truly share your vision about working together for peace and sustainable development issues. I can tell you that from my very own experience, I had spread the principles of the EC among a national net of human, democracy and sexuality rights organizations.
By the other hand, there are young groups, as at the University of Guanajuato, working environmental aspects. Both are very important to achieve sustainable societies and I think that we can not be just working by one side, we must be sure that all the issues related to the EC are included.
Cheers!
Namir
Mexico
Posted by: Namir Nava | September 21, 2007 7:46 AM
Hi, Jana!
Actually countries have already found a solution for that. It's called Carbon Credits. Probably you have heard about it. Developed countries that have signed the Kyoto Protocol, agreed to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by around 5% by 2012.
For that, they have created the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), which is basically a "license to pollute." It's simple: factories in developing countries can install eco-friendly equipments and developed countries will "sponsor" this initiative. Thus, doing that, they will have carbon credits and will be able to fulfill the Kyoto Protocol.
But there are lots of discussions about its efficiency.
I hope it's clear =)
Kisses!!
Gabi
Brazil
Posted by: Gabriela Monteiro | September 21, 2007 8:39 AM
Dear Gabi,
You said yourself – there are discussions about efficiency of Kyoto Protocol. So, I will mention only this (regarding your response to my question) - countries in transition (developing) countries don’t have to meet reduction targets, so their emission continues to grow without being limited by the Kyoto Protocol. But you are definitely right: entering into force of this Protocol is certainly a step forward.
Regards,
Jana,
Serbia
Posted by: Jana Kovandzic | September 21, 2007 11:27 AM
Hello everyone,
(answers to Lisa, Gabi, and Jana's questions)
1. I agree with Lisa concerning the use of ICT to spread EA’s awareness. The ideal situation would be to diversify a lot the use of ICT’s to reach all social classes. In Brazil, for example, low social classes have TV and radio as their main media. Middle and upper classes use internet and newspapers as their main media.
2a. [Regarding Gabi's first question,] I think that the effects of popular awareness campaigns are very impressive and can make the citizens more conscious on the environment issue.
2b. It is very good to me to talk about the youth participation in the environmental causes as I am myself a militant. In Brazil, since 2003, the youth participation in the environmental causes has entered public politics. In that year the environmental national conference was held here and REJUMA ( the National Youth Environment Network) was created in order to entitle the youth to participate in the building of these public politics. Presently it owns a chair in the National Youth Council. Also CJ (Regional Youth Environment Network) was created with the issue and stress on life quality.
3. [Regarding Jana's question,] I think that the State should provide special financing to factories make “clean changes."
Bruno
Brazil
Posted by: Bruno Rios Alencar | September 23, 2007 6:59 PM
Dear YLT Candidates and ECYI Voters,
Thank you for participating in our lively and insightful "Town Hall Meeting" discussion. The questions and ideas that were shared here and in the Candidate's Statements will inform the discussion that the YLT has in Ahmedabad, India at the end of November.
As you know, this brings to an end the "Voting Week" for the YLT. I will be verifying and counting your votes, and will announce the new Team by Wednesday, 26 September, on the ECYI Blog.
I warmly thank the current Core Group and the numerous ECYI Members who contributed to the conceptualization of the YLT and the design of this election process. I am grateful as well to all 21 Candidates who engaged so actively in this historic, democratic process. You are all exemplary ECYI Members!
And remember, this is just part of an ongoing ECYI discussion. Check this website frequently to comment on new posts - or send me your own ECYI updates, reports, and photos to create a blog entry on one of your recent ECYI-related successes.
Again, thanks to all.
Peace,
Dominic Stucker
International Youth Coordinator
Posted by: Dominic Stucker | September 24, 2007 7:20 AM