India - Green Champs of Global North-South Challenge Climate Crisis: an Indo – German Student Exchange Programme for Eco Education and Action
Coimbatore, India – November 2022 - The Students of Don Bosco School of Excellence, Coimbatore, India and Norbert Gymnasium, Dormagen, Germany joined hands to learn about the impact of climate change and take up challenges to reduce carbon footprint. The eco clubs of both the schools had introductory workshop in their respective schools, to understand climate change, global North-South divide, climate justice, carbon footprint of the individuals and nations, etc. Then two days of virtual interaction between the members of the eco clubs. There was fun, games, sharing on cultural richness, food habits, daily routine, and then they shifted their focus on climate crisis and how humans impacted change in the climate which damages the eco system. They also broke out into rooms in a group of five or six comprising both Indian and German students to enhance more participation. As an outcome, they drew-up ‘Challenge-Days Plan’ for next ten days. These days they challenged themselves, both personally and as a group, to change their behaviour in favour of the environment reducing carbon footprint. The green activities were concentrated on usage of water, transport mode, choice of food, meeting with farmers, visit to rich biodiversity spots, and many more. For many this was a first experience. On the final day, the two schools virtually met again and discussed about the impact of the green exercises and evaluated the entire exchange programme. The green champions are now determined to be active participants in protecting the common home and want to be green ambassadors among their peers and families. The exchange programme was organized and facilitated jointly by Don Bosco School of Excellence, Coimbatore, Don Bosco Mission, Bonn and CAUVERI (INT) who are all active members in the world-wide Salesian network Don Bosco Green Alliance.