Feature

Our Earth, Our Responsibility

Joydeep Sarkar

STUDENT Leadership Institute Alumni Association, Bangladesh (SLIAA, B) and Bangladesh Education and Resource Network (bEARN) jointly organised a documentary show entitled 'An Inconvenient Truth' observing the World Environment Day on Thursday, June 5 2008.

For two definite reasons this event was significant. This documentary show was organised to observe the World Environment Day to provide a definite idea to people, especially the youth about current environment situation and remind them about their responsibility towards this fragile earth. This event was particularly very significant to the members of SLIAA,B because this was their first initiative or event from their association under the supervision and support by bEARN.

The association was recently formed by a group of dynamic and energetic people who have been in USA for the 5-week long 'Study for Institute of Student Leaders Exchange Program' in different years, funded by the United States Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and coordinated by the American Center. This group has the potential to make much contribution to various forms of development and social issues. They believe that their participation does not just end by attending a programme such as this, but also to ensure that they can use their lessons coming back home and can make change in the society. Keeping that in mind, this association has observed The World Environment Day with their slogan 'Our Earth, Our Responsibility' through great enthusiasm and interest. The World Environment Day slogan for 2008 is Kick the Habit! Towards a Low Carbon Economy. Recognising that climate change is becoming the defining issue of our era, UNEP is asking countries, companies and communities to focus on environment issues or factors and make people aware how they can contribute to making this earth greener and safe. This event would give an opportunity, especially for the young people to think about the current environment issues or to inform them or inspire and motivate them and explore the perspectives of how this young people can change this situation.

The event was held in bEARN Training Room located at the bEARN office. This documentary show was followed by a discussion where Ms. Tanjina Chowdhury, Lecturer of Birshreshtho Munshi Abudur Rouf School & College and other two students who have recently participated in a conference on environment at Kobe in Japan delivered their speech about the experience of the conference and informed the audience about the latest updates of climate changes along with the steps taken by some other countries. But before that, Mr. Golam R. Hiru, Executive Director of bEARN presented his view about the day and briefly explained about bEARN and SLIAA,B. bEARN is a youth organisation who are trying to highlight the youth issues and working with young people and they are also interested to host this Alumni Association which consists of young undergraduate students from different universities of Bangladesh. In that event 25 young people were present and they expressed their opinions about the environment issues. After that, I along with Towfique Ahmad (US Alumni, 'Study for Institute of Student Leaders Exchange Program', Batch of 2007) from the newly formed Alumni Association expressed their keen interest to dedicate in community services and explained about their exchange programme and experience and also the reason to organise such an event.

At the end of the event, there were some commitments from all the participants to perform any eco- friendly work within seven days such as tree plantation, use energy saving lamp in home, stop smoking or make other people aware about these issues. Later, Mr. Hiru, Executive Director of bEARN Youth Team and US Alumni thanked the participants for making the programme a very successful one and requested the participants to join the programmes in the future.