Chile - Supporting advocacy on Environmental Issues
In a socially and economically deprived barrio in central Chile, women and young people are being trained as community leaders in an environmental and community development program that addresses the issue of waste pollution in the area.
Located at the Columban
Fathers’ Education Centre for Ecology and Human Development in Cerro
Places in the barrio of Valparaiso, the project educates on the
transformation of waste into reusable materials and on the general
preservation of the environment.
One of the goals of the centre, which is supported by Misean Cara,
is to encourage people to become more aware of and responsible for
protecting the environment. The program engages young people and
women and aims to build self-esteem, skills and a sense of
responsibility towards their community.
It was replicated by the Columbans across three other regions in
Chile, including in Puente Alto in Santiago (the Youth and Young
Adult Education programme), in La Negra in Iquique (Women Caring for
Themselves and for the Earth programme) and in local secondary
schools in Puente Alto in Santiago (Environmental Education on
Composting and Paper Recycling programme).