Green Wave 2017

Various Countries including

Japan Participated in the Green Wave 2017

The Green Wave is a global biodiversitycampaign which the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD)of the United Nations has advocated and is calling for participation in greening by young people. It is celebrated globally before and after May 22 –the International Day for Biological Diversity. OISCA concluded in 2016 a basic agreement with SCBD for promoting conservation of biological diversity and PR activities, and has been carrying out tree planting activities mainly through schools participating in the Children’s Forest Program (CFP). This year, it actively conducted the Green Wave campaign in Japan and overseas.

In Mongolia, schools and kindergartens participating in CFP planted various species of seedlings such as pine trees, almond and apricot in the campus. The children carried water in bucket and sprinkled plenty of water to the root so that the seedlings would be able to grow up even under the severe dry weather.

In Indonesia, students belonging to “Environment Club” of Sukabumi No 1 High School led tree planting activities at 8 neighboring elementary schools with the support of CFP coordinator who is also a teacher of the high school, thus contributing to the spread of the Green Wave in the area. Moreover, OISCA Indonesia approached CFP non-participant schools and appealed for participation and promoted cooperation with village youth groups, mosques and universities. This year, 92 schools took part in the campaign and the circle of activities is steadily spreading.

Also in Japan, OISCA Branches nationwide conducted the activities. Hiroshima Branch carried out forest maintenance at the “OISCA Forest” in the Prefectural Mominoki Forest Park. In cooperation with various organizations in the Prefecture, the Branch is aiming at offering venues and opportunities for children to get familiar with forests, and as part of it,participated in the Green Wave. It tackled the maintenance activities so that children would be able to enjoy thinning experience and handicraft utilizing thinned materials on summer holidays.

In Tokyo, symposium “Mainstreaming Biodiversity Towards Achieving Aichi Biodiversity Targets and SDGs” was held at on June 21 at Sophia University, and Dr. Christina Pasca Palmer, Executive Secretary of the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, delivered a keynote speech. After the symposium, Mr. Yasuaki Nagaishi, Secretary General of OISCA, met with Dr.Palmer, and reported that OISCA including CFP participating schools is tackling the Green Wave in the various operating areas. On her part, Dr. Palmer expressed appreciation to OISCA for promoting forest development by young people and environmental education. Both sides mutually reconfirmed to further deepen cooperative relations so that many people could lead a life with the conservation of biodiversity in mind.

OISCA is issuing a certificate of participation in the Green Wave jointly signed by the SCBD Executive Secretary and OISCA Secretary General toeach participating organization and is appealing for their participation after next year.