Sunday, May 9, 2010


Forty years after the first Earth Day, the world is in greater peril than ever. Earth Day is an opportunity for individuals, corporations and governments to join together and create a global green economy.
This year, the British International School in Bratislava joined the global Earth Day network and held its first Earth day organized by the Eco-committee. Consisting of various activities and workshops it aimed to raise awareness among young people about pressing issues threatening our planet.
How did we celebrate the Earth day?
In the morning, creative activities were prepared for Primary school children.
They had a presentation on importance of being eco-friendly and being aware of the global warming effects and consequences. Then children were decorating the pots and seeding plants. It was amazing to see how enthusiastic were the children and we always hear positive feedback when we meet them in the corridors.
Children also participated in a quiz and managed to answer the hard ones as well.
On the left is the group who called themselves Savers.
School uniforms were left at home and Year 7, 8 and 9 changed our school in a mix of green and blue. A speech in a gym was made and a short movie was projected. By making a Mexican wave, students demonstrated that everybody is important and we can make a change if we all unite.
In the afternoon, there were various workshops and activities. One of the workshops was ethical shopping workshop followed by creating and decorating own reusable shopping bag.
Year 8 and 9 were painting the eco-wall outside the school and cleaning the local area.
One of the essential ways of reducing one’s carbon footprint is becoming vegetarian, or better a vegan. An awareness raising campaign was done at school accompanied by the presentation and vegan food tasting which was really delicious.
We’ve put a pledge wall in the corridor and so far we have received very positive feedbacks. Earth day was a day when all students and teachers united and did something to help the planet.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Info for Climate Ambassadors about the SMK International Campaigner Award


What is the SMK International Campaigner Award?
 The International Campaigner Award is for campaigners outside the UK, working to achieve social or environmental justice in their home countries. The award recognises campaigners working in many of the least developed countries of the global South.
The winner will benefit from coaching, mentoring, and guidance from experienced campaigners to help them achieve maximum impact with their campaign.
 This is a great opportunity for people who want to make change, gain access to decision-makers and influencers, learn valuable campaigning skills and network with fellow campaigners in the UK.
Tell us about your campaign - tweet #SMKaward to @SMKCampaigners.
 The winner will be awarded a package of support that includes:
. An assessment of your campaign aims
. One-to-one coaching sessions with an experienced campaigner . Participation in a UK based residential skills building weekend . Mentoring or shadowing sessions with experts in your field . The chance to meet and network with UK-based campaigners facing similar challenges The award is designed to support individual campaigners who have the potential to make an even bigger impact in their countries.
 AN SMK CAMPAIGNER AWARD DOES NOT PROVIDE ANY FUNDING FOR YOUR CAMPAIGN. APPLICATIONS THAT REQUEST FUNDING WILL NOT BE SHORTLISTED FOR INTERVIEW.
 How to apply
 You will need to complete an application form. Forms are available in English on our website, and in French on request.
 For more information and to download the application form visit www.smk.org.uk.  The deadline for receipt of applications is 1300 GMT on 28th June 2010.
 If you have any questions about the application process please email awards@smk.org.uk or call +44 20 7700 8231.
 If you win the Award
 Telephone interviews with shortlisted applicants will take place in July 2010. The winner will be invited to travel to the UK in November 2010 to receive their training and support package. All relevant travel and accommodation expenses will be covered as part of the award.
 About SMK
 The Sheila McKechnie Foundation (SMK) is the only registered charity in the UK dedicated to connecting, informing and supporting campaigners.
 SMK:
. Runs an annual awards programme to support new and emerging campaigners . Runs a series of events about effective campaigning . Manages www.campaigncentral.org.uk, the online community for campaigners . Promotes the rights of campaigners
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Eligible countries
 Only campaigners from the countries listed below can apply for the SMK International Campaigner Award.
 Afghanistan
Angola
Bangladesh
Benin
Bhutan
Bolivia
Botswana
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Central African Republic
Chad
Comoros
Congo
Côte d'Ivoire
Democratic Republic of Congo
Djibouti
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Fiji
Gambia
Ghana
Guatemala
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
India
Indonesia
Kenya
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Lesotho
Liberia
Madagascar
Malawi
Mali
Mauritania
Moldova
Mongolia
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nepal
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Palestine
Pakistan
Papua New Guinea
Rwanda
São Tomé and Principe
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Solomon Islands
South Africa
Sudan
Swaziland
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Timor-Leste
Togo
Turkmenistan
Uganda
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia