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2024 World Earth Day Nature Education | Protecting Our Earth, Panda Ambassadors in Action
Sichuan, China – On 20 April 2024, UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, UNESCO Chair on Sustainable Tourism in UNESCO Designated Sites at Sun Yat-sen University, and the Administration of Huanglong National Scenic and Historic Interest Area, and the School of Tourism of Sun Yat-sen University jointly celebrated the World Earth Day through the organization of the nature education activity “Protecting Our Earth, Panda Ambassadors in Action”. Organized under the “Panda Ambassador” Sustainable Livelihood and Heritage Education Initiative and as a continuation of the heritage education lectures on the World Earth Day in 2022 and 2023, the activity aimed to strengthen the awareness of youth on World Heritage sites conservation and eco-protection, and to enhance their ability to participate in World Heritage sustainable development. 136 local secondary school students (60% girls) participated in the activity.
The activity comprised of a themed lecture (titled “Walking into the Giant Panda National Park, Protecting Our Earth”) by Prof. Zhang Chaozhi, Chairholder of UNESCO Chair on Sustainable Tourism in UNESCO Designated Sites, and field excursion to the Danyunxia Section of the Giant Panda National Park. Through dialogue with experts and group activities, the students were able to deepen their understanding of the concept and criteria of World Heritage, as well as relevant approaches and the significance of protecting the giant panda habitat.
Launched in 2021, the “Panda Ambassador” initiative within the framework of UNESCO – China Youth Development Foundation Mercedes-Benz Star Fund “Conservation and Management of World Heritage Sites in China” Project Phase IV aims to cultivate and enhance youth participation in the sustainable development of traditional livelihoods and heritage conservation in local communities through heritage education activities. As of 2024, this initiative has produced more than 100 “Panda Ambassadors” from Sichuan and around China, through engaging them in various awareness raising and capacity building activities. Together, the initiative partners make efforts to address not only conservation and livelihoods, but also the effective transmission and communication of heritage values through heritage education.
