CLEAN-India had the privilege of being invited to participate in the International Children's Conference on the Environment organized by United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) in Connecticut, USA during 19^th July to 23^rd July 2004. The ICCE (International Children’s Conference on the Environment) is inspired by the recognition that children need to be active participants in decisions that affect the future of the planet.

After a selection process consisting of a written test and interview, CLEAN-India selected four students from different parts of the country viz. Delhi, Jhansi, Bangalore and Aurangabad to represent India at this conference. The students were accompanied by two chaperones, Meghna Das and Pramod Kumar as CLEAN-India representatives.

 The students who participated were:

 Ishita Kaur Talwar is a student studying in the 6^th grade in Salwan Public School (Morn), New Delhi. She is a Kathak dancer and her hobby is to read.

Prarthana Ramavana is from Bangalore, Karnataka. She studies in Gear Foundation School in the 8^th grade. She writes poems and loves arts & crafts.

Rucha Chavan is a 9^th grade student studying in Little Flower School in Aurangabad, Maharashtra.

Shreya Gulati is a student studying in grade 7^th of St. Francis’ Convent High School in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. She has a 4 years diploma in Music. She loves to paint and dance.

 We at Conference................

The conference began with an opening ceremony which welcomed this year’s Chief Guest, Dr. Jane Goodall, an expert on chimpanzees. She showed us the PEACE DOVE and urged us to work for peace and the environment.  There were also several dances by the American tribes, boom music etc. It was fun to be part of the whole show. We were also introduced to the Junior Board –a group of children involved in organizing the conference.

From New London harbour, we boarded a ship that was used in World War I. The ship was a learning station for us about the various environmental issues. We were taken to mid sea where we saw ships from around the world docking in.  During all the time trading of badges was taking place among us. We exchanged gifts like CLEAN-India badges and pamphlets with the other children and received many gifts in return too!

We participated in a variety of WORKSHOPS, PRESENTATIONS and FIELDTRIPS conducted under each topic.

The topics were:

20^th July:   Living on the Edge of Extinction

21^st July:   Indigenous Peoples’ Healing Ways

22^nd July:  Oceans, Rivers and Waterways

23^rd July:  Energy- save it, renew it, recycle it

One of the major highlights of this conference was an exhibition of posters. We were selected to display our work in the form of posters. We made 5 posters in all – on medicinal plants, tree of life, tree protection, energy and CLEAN-India.

OUR PRESENTATION AT ICCE 04

At the opening ceremony, we got to know that Ishita had been selected to make a presentation the next day. We were thrilled but were concerned because we didn’t have the presentation!! So we decided to work the same day and finally prepared the presentation.

And so it turned out that 21st was the most important day for Ishita as on this day she had to give a presentation to the entire audience. She presented about the various initiatives of CLEAN-India and especially about the medicinal plants that we have planted in our schools. The presentation stressed on the importance of preserving our traditional knowledge of medicines, how we can use these plants to make our own medicines and thus reduce cost, side effects and pollution.

Our efforts were lauded and we received coverage in the local newspaper too!!