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Tune in to Imvelo Nentfutfuko 5:30 am every Saturday and 4:15 pm every Tuesday Achieving sustainable development is not an easy task. Significant changes will be needed in decision making at the highest levels and in day-to-day behaviour by producers and consumers- if we are to reach our goal of development that meets the needs of today without sacrificing the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Listen to our radio programme for various topical environmental issues, which are critical towards achieving sustainable development. Community based air quality monitoring Air pollution monitoring is a neglected area in Swaziland. Air pollution monitoring is part of Yonge Nawe’s Environmental Justice Campaign Programme, which seeks to ensure that social justice is achieved and communities are not victims of pollution and environmental injustices. Yonge Nawe sought to pioneer work on air pollution monitoring mainly targeted at communities living within industrial sites. In this regard hosted a one-day workshop, which brought together representatives from Communities, Workers Associations, local authorities, and NGOs on the 13th of February at the Foresters Arms Hotel. Yonge Nawe facilitated the workshop with assistance from its partners, Ardiel Soeker from groundWork (South Africa) and Denny Larson from the Global Community Monitor (USA). The specific objectives of the workshop were:
Representatives mapped out industrial activities and highlighted sources of pollution, different odours emitted from these as well as common health problems within their neigbourhoods. Some of the diseases mentioned include asthma, chest pains and hair loss. Participants were excited as they took turns to practice using the "Bucket Brigade" system. A practical demonstration was done the following day at Luhleko community near the Sappi Usuthu Pulp mill. An air sample was shipped to the United States and the results are due shortly. Youth in sustainable development conference Yonge Nawe hosted a youth in sustainable development conference on the 16th of February 2002 at King Sobhuza Memorial Park. The purpose of the conference was to raise awareness and knowledge among the youth on sustainable development issues. The conference was hosted as part of the organisation’s preparations for the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa from 26 August to 4 September 2002. Yonge Nawe believes that the decisions that are going to be made at this conference will affect the lives of the youth today and in future. The conference brought together about 48 youth from the University of Swaziland’s Geography and Environmental Science Planning Society (UNIGEP), Nazarene College, Junior Council of Manzini, UNISWA Rotaract, UNISWA Agriculture, UNISWA Economic Society and other local colleges to discuss youth’s contributions towards sustainable in Swaziland. Delegates from Yonge Nawe, Swaziland National Trust Commission (SNTC), Swaziland National Youth Council (SNYC), and the University of Swaziland (UNISWA) also attended the conference. Short papers on sustainable development and Swaziland’s contributions to sustainable development were presented. It is imperative that the government should advance the role of youth and actively involve them in the protection of the environment and the promotion of economic and social development said Mr. Sahr Tengbeh UNIGEP’s Secretary General. Government needs to come up with policies that will encourage youth participation in sustainable development issues he said. Today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders and decision makers hence it is important for the youth to be involved in sustainable development processes. Youth highlighted that they cannot work on sustainable development initiatives in isolation but need to link up with other local, regional and global youth partners. Yonge Nawe is planning to host workshops and other activities on sustainable development issues for various stakeholders. Preserve planet earth We are living in a world where many regions suffer from increasing tensions, conflicts and violence. It is important to make peace a tangible reality. Xenophobia, racism, discrimination and violations of human rights are the cause of increasing global and regional conflicts. At the same time poverty, urban decay, wars, mass migration, new pandemic diseases as well as terrorism create threats to security. Environmental degradation is one example of environmental conflicts and violence as it threatens human habitat, says paper presented by Yonge Nawe at a Pre-School Teachers Conference sponsored by UNESCO held on 21February 2002 at Caritas Manzini. The theme of the conference was "Culture of Peace and Non-Violence." We need to look to look at these problems and come up with preventive measures that could be instilled to young children between 0-8 years. These years are seen as the crucial years for cognitive development in children. Instilling good values to young children will result to a culture of peace, non-violence life coupled with good conservation practices of conserving the environment, says the paper. Young children are the future leaders. We need to ensure that we do not compromise the ability of these future generations to meet their needs. Heads of state and Governments entered into global agreements, protocols and conventions that emphasise the need to conserve planet earth. Implementation of these agreements could be improved by the participation of all humanity in the conservation of the environment. Our environment cannot be safe if we are confronted with conflicts and violence. View full presentation on www.yongenawe.com/new.htm International day of action against dams and for rivers, water and life, 14 march 2002 The 14th of March was the 5th Annual International Day of Action Against Dams and for Rivers, Water and Life. This was the time to join together in solidarity to protest destructive development. It was the time to fight for social justice and rights of communities over their resources and lives. The theme of the campaign was 'communities’ right to information and participation in decisions that affect their lives.' In recognition of this day, Yonge Nawe prepared an article focusing on the social impact of large dams in southern Africa based on views from affected communities. In summary these views include among others:
Water for Development The theme for the World Water Day was "water for development". World Water day was an opportunity to reflect on the importance of water for development and the challenges we face in preserving and protecting this vital resource today and in the future. Water is so crucial, not just for human existence, but also for the health and well being of all life on our planet. Our climate is dependant on water. It acts as a climatic thermostat and global heat exchanger. It absorbs more heat than most other substances and holds on to it rather than releasing it. All life on Earth depends on water. For example, the average human body contains nearly 50 litres of water and must replace 5% of it daily for vital bodily functions. That is the reason why we should not pollute our waters i.e. rivers and dams. Our bodies can end up full of pollutants if we do not preserve the water that is available to us today. Yonge Nawe celebrated this day with Dvumbe community who are involved in a sustainable water project. This project involves sourcing water from a spring and piping it to the community. The community has tanks, taps and access to clean water. This community is also engaging in sustainable vegetable gardens. This event was jointly organized with Africa Co-operative Action Trust (ACAT). What did you do about the World
Water Day 22 March 2002?
1. Why is water important for
me and my family?
Announcement The 2002 EEASA Conference will be held in Botswana, July 2002. If you are interested in attending contact Violet Buluma at Yonge Nawe. Upcoming Events
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