What's happening in Australia?

Interview by Jean Dumas, Youth Journalist

During the Youth Caucus I had the opportunity to meet Daniel Huxtable from Perth, Australia. Daniel kindly described two of the projects he's been involved in his country.

Jean: You mentioned on the first night of the Youth Caucus a project called Blue Ribbon. Can you tell us a little more about it?

Daniel: The Blue Ribbon project is a project that involves school kids (primary level) in the waterways and wetlands of their area. They develop a relationship with their land and go back there regularly, to monitor and measure the quality of the water.

Jean: What is the symbolic meaning of the ribbon ?

It means pure, clean waterways as opposed to those that are degraded... Because Australia has a lot problems with water...

Jean: Can you talk to us about another project you're aware of or involved in ?

Daniel: The group I work with is the Australian Trust for Conservation Volunteers. It is a national organization that organizes teams of volunteers. The volunteers perform practical conservation work throughout the country. These are people from all different areas of the community, of all different ages, and backgrounds. It symbolizes a very strong volunteer ethic in the community; people are giving their time and their energy to put something back in the environment. It's something everybody can learn from and it symbolizes people accepting responsibility for the environment.

Jean: Who supports this initiative ?

Daniel: Supporters include the government, private corporation, donations from people and membership.

Jean: How do you like the process you're participating in at this APEC Youth Caucus and how do you like your group dynamic ?

Daniel: I think it's working very successfully... It's encouraging that we have a wide representation from many APEC nations and I think people have been very willing to come forward with their ideas and examples and things that are happening in their countries. I've certainly learned a lot so far and I think other people have too...

Jean: Thank you very much ...

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