International Center for Environmental Arts (ICEA)and COASTWEEKS Connection with AICHI2005

International Center for Environmental Arts (ICEA) promotes United Nations Environmental Program at Children's World Summit for the Environment.

Aichi, Japan (PRWEB) August 27, 2005 -- Energy, biodiversity, water, and recycling are the environmental issues of greatest concern to young people from around the world who gathered for the Children's World Summit for the Environment in Japan.

Organized by the United Nations Environment Programme, the Summit was held in connection with EXPO 2005 at Toyohashi City, Aichi Perfecture. Six hundred children, ages 10 to 14, from 65 nations gathered to debate the practical actions that can be taken to build Earth's future.

The delegates were selected from over 2,000 applicants, based on the environmental projects of their schools and organizations.

His Imperial Highness Prince Akishino of Japan served as the honorary president of the Summit. The prince's family, including his two daughters, took part in activities during the program.

Fumio Kawaguchi, the adult who heads the Japan Organizing Committee for the meeting, said, "This Summit is unique in that the children themselves lead and shape the event. The theme of the Summit, "Creating Practical Change," was decided on by the 11 Junior Board members from eight different countries.

"Children have honest eyes that see through the essence of things, " Kawaguchi said, "and the power to consider the future of this planet with a pure heart."

In a final statement to world leaders delivered Friday after four days of debate, the children asked them to "create and enforce laws to improve effiency in production, consumption and conservation of energy."

"We commit ourselves to saving energy and using renewable energy sources," say the children in their statement.

They demand that the leaders set examples also in the issues of biodiversity, water and waste processing.

At the same time, they all commit themselves to environmentally friendly actions to make a difference for the future.

American Cultural Ambassadors David and Renate Jakupca, Founders of the International Center for Environmental Arts (ICEA) in Cleveland, Ohio said, "We have two aspirations for this Summit. The first is to realize a Summit that will help the environment. The Worlds children that attend this Summit are all very enthusiastic about their environment. We hope and wish that more adults would realize that although they may be just children, they understand that the environment is their and our future".

UNEP Deputy Executive Director Shafquat Kakahel promised that the children's message would be delivered to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

He assured the children that their message written on a 14 meter (46 foot) long canvas will have a prominent place in front of the UN headquarters in New York to remind the world's presidents and prime ministers who will gather in New York at the World Summit in September 2005 of the hope that children have for a better environment.

The delegates published a daily newsletter during the meeting, "The Delegates' Corner" with four editors, including Alex Lin from the U.S. town of Westerly, Rhode Island. Lin works on a recycling and reuse of e-waste project, including computers and cell phones, and with his school mates works to raise awareness of proper recycling and disposal of e-waste and its disposal. They have drafted an e-waste management plan for their hometown.

"It is difficult but not impossible to work for a green future," said delegate, Marisa Tania from Indonesia. In her home town of Surabaya she says she cannot see the blue sky due to air pollution and the river Kalimas is badly polluted. During the meeting In Japan she learned about solutions to environmental issues from the new friends she made. It has inspired her to continue work for awareness in her ecology club at home, she says.

Delegate Vianka Kelicia Naick is from the small town of Umzinto in Kwa Zulu Natal province of South Africa. She told delegates, "For a long time, protection of the environment was seen as an elite activity. This was so mainly because of apartheid. Today, all races participate in environmental activities. As part of the Umzinto Secondary Environmental Club, Naick is rehabilitating a wetland in the school's environment by eradicating alien trees and shrubs.

"Environmental issues hit close to home for most people in the world," said Ritsuya Kishida, a Junior Board member and another of the newsletter's editors.

"I want everyone to know that all the children involved in this Summit are suffering from such environmental problems somewhere in their lives, and want to find a solution to them," he said. "As environmental problems are a global issue, we can take a step towards solving them only when the nations of the world work together."

UNEP Executive Director Klaus Toepfer, said, "This Children's World Summit is an important event - 2005 is especially significant. On the one hand, the United Nations celebrates its 60th Anniversary but, more importantly, world leaders gathering at the World Summit in New York next Septembers are expected to reshape the agenda of the United Nations. It is crucial that issues concerning the future of the environment and the future of the children guide their discussions."

The Children's World Summit is part of UNEP's TUNZA program to involve children and young people in environmental issues. Tunza means "to treat with care and respect" in the Kiswahili language.

The next Tunza Children's Conference on the environment will be held in Putrajaya, Malaysia, in August 2006.

As part of Ohio's Coastweeks 2005 celebration, the International Center for Environmental Arts (ICEA) will hold the Official 11th Annual Coastweeks 2005 Art and Essay contest for Children. The contest will portray important issues about Lake Erie through Art focusing on the natural beauty, history and future uses. David Jakupca, international artist recognized as the "Father of the Environmental Art Movement", comments on why he organized this area's only comprehensive art/environment program for young children at ICEA......"to plan strategies of sustainable development for a Great Lake like ours that is endowed with renewable and non-renewable resources requires a scientific and empiric deep knowledge supported by a lingering bioregional educational action that needs to begin with our young children." These combined elements will eventually increase the public's awareness and enable the protection of Lake Erie's valuable and delicate systems. The theme, 'I Can Help Lake Erie', encourages young Ohioans to be part of the solution, not the pollution that finds it way into the lake." The posters and essays will be exhibited at the Great Lakes Historical Society's Inland Seas Maritime Museum in Vermilion, Ohio all during Coastweeks 2005.

Contact:
Pris Reagan
International Center for Environmental Arts (ICEA)
Box 81496
Cleveland, Ohio 441181 USA

Tel/Fax: 440-891-8376

Email: ICEA2000@aol.com

www.TheICEA.Org

About ICEA:
ICEA - The International Center for Environmental Arts (ICEA) is a force for socially responsible activity. ICEA's mission is to "Assist in understanding of the relationship between Humans and their Environment through the Arts." The International Center for Environmental Arts (ICEA) was founded by David and Renate Jakupca in 1987 to meet the compelling needs of ordinary citizens for access to current, balanced, understandable information about complex global issues. Over the years, ICEA has gained a reputation for excellence based upon a unique library of specialized, current information on global importance and a wide range of imaginative programming and collaborations with other organizations to meet the needs of a broad constituency. With affiliates across the globe, the ICEA supports research, information sharing and effective action promoting a culture of Peace.

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