Community Outreach

Empowering Youth and Communities

In 2004 several activities will be conducted in Fiji and other Pacific islands by a task-oriented network of Chemistry Outreach To Schools, Ocean Futures Society and Small Islands Voice. These will carry forward the recommendations from the 2003 Open Day discussions fully and will involve school science clubs, youth groups and village elders in partnership roles; and specifically:

1. Empowering Youth and Community Groups: Following the open days and meeting with youth groups in villages in 2003, seed-money will be provided for follow-up measures. Youth groups in Raiwaqa, Navosai, Verata, Sigatoka, Lautoka and Labasa that are committed to the concept of 'Clean X' plan to work on solid waste and water management projects. These will be low investment projects and any cost will be in the form of small-scale equipment or sporting gear as an incentive for the youth to remain engaged in the project. The programme started with a meeting with the Navosai Community in August 2004 when a wheelbarrow and some garden implements were donated.
2. School Science Clubs: Acknowledging the fact that "knowledge societies" are the fundamental basis for sustainable development, the school science club project was started in 2002 and promoted during the 'Open Days'. In 2004, sustainable development project work at the homes of each of the students and also in their schools will be promoted. Science kits and coral reef educational kits will be distributed.
   
   
3. Outreach Country Teams: In 2003, activities were concentrated in Fiji. In 2004 it is planned to expand the Chemistry Outreach To Schools programme to other island nations: Solomon Islands, Kiribati and Samoa.
   
   
4. Samoa National Outreach: In 2004 the community 'Open Day' concept will be expanded to Samoa to promote the Science Club movement in schools, as well as reaching out to the community with the "Clean X" project to enhance environmental awareness and ownership.

The following are the expected outputs:

• Strengthened science clubs in schools
• Increased awareness among existing youth clubs (community, sports, religious or other) on sustainable development challenges and possibilities
• Implementation of a wave of 'Clean X' ideas (clean school, clean market place, clean village, clean church, clean hospital etc)
• Improved understanding of the importance of coral reefs and their protection methods
• Heightened awareness of the issues involved and the choices available to express the community voice on environment and development issues affecting them

To get involved, contact :