UN Environmental Youth Conference

Contribution to sustainable development and people’s quality of life:

All information shared at the conference will be put into practice in addition to the information being used to enhance policy development.

Organisation: Groundwork Greater Nottingham

Sector:  Voluntary Sector - Youth

Location: Denman Street East ,Nottingham .

Start Date and Duration: All Equals Project hjas been running for two years. EU Environmental Conference runs 26^th August - 30th August 2007.

Summary:

One young person from the above named group has been asked to represent Groundworks at the above named conference. This young person is from one of the most deprived area of Nottingham namely St Anns. Rueben has been working with myself for the past 2 years and has developed his skills and this led to me nominating him for a place at the conference.

The conference is open to only 2 representatives from each country from all over the world they will discuss environmental issues affecting their countries and what action is being taken to alleviate these pressures. For additional information relating to the conference and their aims see www.unep.org/tunza/youthconference Funds have been raised through donations.

Background:

This particular group is from a high risk area of Nottingham affected by prostitution, drugs and alcohol use. The lack of provision led to consultations with young people who have used their own ideas to develop a project supported by staff from Groundwork Greater Nottingham leading to provision for young people in their area.

The project has had a few problems due to lack of venues in the area but the group have continued to look for additional facilities and are presently meeting at a local school.

Project results:

• Young people have improved levels of confidence and self esteem
• Completed their Millennium volunteers certificates
• Created a film
• Created a web page
• Completed their certificates in football and basketball skills
• Helped improve a local garden in a play centre which is now used to grow organic produce
• Undertaken a number of arts project including a graffiti project promoting road awareness
• Senior group members take on peer responsibilities encouraging young members to steer away form anti-social activities.
• Produced films with the community channel and BBC3 highlighting issues in there are and also highlighting the affects of CO2 emissions.

These are just a few things that young people have achieved the personal gains have led to more confident individuals.

Keywords: Inequalities, Sustainable Development, Environment , Communities.

Contact Details:

Balbir Kaur

Groundwork Greater Nottingham

Denman Street East

Nottingham

NG7 3GX

Tel: 01159788212

E-mail: Balbir.kaur66@groundwork.org.uk

Web: www.groundworkgreaternottinhgam.org.uk