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Development Alternatives is a non-profit
research, development and action organization established in
1983. It fosters new relationship in people, technology and
environment interactions needed to attain the goal of
sustainable development. CLEAN-India (Community Led
Environment Action Network) of Development Alternatives is a
nation wide programme involving school students at the fore,
working towards a vision of developing cleaner towns and
cities by mobilizing community responsibilities for the
environment. It is an environment assessment, awareness,
action and advocacy programme. Currently, CLEAN-India is
anchored by a strong network of 30 schools in Delhi and has
28 other centres ranging from Ranikhet in the North and
Kodaikanal in the South. A wide array of environmental issue
is looked into. Some of them are: water and air quality
monitoring, tree planting and protection, nurturing
medicinal plants, bird watch, vermicomposting, paper
recycling, celebration of Eco-festivals, campaigning against
non-environment friendly products, checking for food
adulteration.
As part of the CLEAN-India programme, children
are encouraged to take part in International Conferences to
widen their horizons, learn about environmental problems and
solutions in other countries and interact with other
children. It is a part of a process to groom well-informed,
committed and dedicated future citizens of the world.
Recently 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 Putrajaya,
Malaysia during 26th July to 31st July
2006. The
ICCE 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,
Jaipur, Bangalore and Varanasi to
represent India at this conference. The students prepared
projects on the work done by them in their schools and
communities. The projects were sent to UNEP for selection.
Out of the four entries one student was selected. The
student who participated was:
Karthik Bharadhwaj
from Bangalore, Karnataka. He studies in Innisfree High
School in the 8th grade. He writes poems and
loves arts & crafts.
WE AT THE CONFERENCE…
We had the opportunity of participating in
the 6th Tunza International Children’s Conference on the
Environment, held in Putrajaya, Malaysia during July 26 to
31, 2006. Children like us from over 67 countries came
together to learn, share experiences and voice our concerns
for the environment. We had a lot of fun and found it
interesting, with many things to learn from each other. The
conference was held for 4 days and each day had its
respective topic.
We participated in a variety of WORKSHOPS,
PRESENTATIONS, ACTION GROUP MEETINGS and
FIELDTRIPS conducted under each topic.
The topics were:
28th July: Conservation
29th July: Recycling
30th July: Healthy Communities
AND THE SHOW BEGINS…..
The conference began with an opening
ceremony where the Chairman of the organizing committee
Khadija Abdul Rehman welcoming the guests and the
participants. The Queen of Malaysia Seri Paduka Baginda
Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Fauziah Bintu Al Mahrum Tengku
Abdul Rashid was the chief guest. There was a play on
“Tears of Trees” by students of YAWA, a children group
 in Kuala Lumpur. Members of the Junior Board introduced
themselves and urged the participants to learn from the
conference, share their ideas and also have fun with new
friends. A group of students also performed a play on saving
our natural resources. It was fun to be part of the whole
show.
ACTION GROUP
All of us were divided in groups. Each group
was named after an animal or tree. All the groups met
everyday. We played games and made many friends in these
groups.
One of the main activities that we did in
these action groups was preparing challenges and commitments
to be distributed as our findings to the governments and
people of the world. The challenges were based on each day’s
theme.
WORKSHOPS
There were a number of workshops on making
 toys from waste, puzzles and environmental games. These were
a mix of fun and learning in these workshops. Sessions on
Environmental Journalism and Eco Tourism were very exciting.
We were also taken to Tamen Wetland in Putrajaya for tree
plantation where participants from each country planted a
tree.
FIELD TRIPS
We were taken to the Forest Research
Institute of Malaysia where we visited the tropical forests
and saw rubber plantations. We also went to the Petronas
towers, the tallest twin towers in the world and the Kuala
Lumpur
City Centre. The visit to Biodiversity Park was fun filled
as there was a treasure hunt which our team won.
OUR PRESENTATION AT ICCE 06
At the opening ceremony, we got to know that
Karthik had been selected to make a presentation on his
project. We were thrilled and prepared ourselves for the
presentation.
And so it turned out that 29th was
the most important
 day for Karthik as on this day he had to
give a presentation to the entire audience. He presented
about the Rain Water Harvesting project initiated in his
school. The presentation stressed on the need to harvest
rain water for our daily usage and how students at their
level can work for raising awareness amongst the people
towards working for environment improvement action.
FAREWELL DINNER
This festival was a gathering of nations.
Children from different countries wore traditional dresses
and performed. There we made lots of friends and enjoyed as
we danced all the way in a big circle. We also had a flag
bearing ceremony and exchanged gifts of our countries.
END OF A GREAT EVENT
The days went away quickly and before we
knew, it was time for us to head back home. This was an
incredible opportunity for us to represent our country as
young ambassadors and learn a lot from others. We shared our
findings and made our presence felt there.
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