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BZS CHOOSES STUDENTS TO REPRESENT BERMUDA AT NORWAY ENVIRO CONFERENCE11/06/2008 (Press Release) - Bermuda Zoological Society (BZS) has chosen two local students to represent the Island next week at an international environmental youth conference in Norway. Jahmali Bridgewater, 10, of Gilbert Institute, and Noah Beek, 11, from Warwick Academy were selected from among 11 applicants who attended this spring’s BZS Environmental Youth Conference at Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo. Interested Primary 6 student delegates were invited to fill out an application and write an essay that included research on the city of Stavanger, as well as a convincing appeal as to why they should be selected to attend. “These two students were chosen for their strong applications and their interest in learning more about protecting the environment,” said BZS Education Officer Joseph Furbert. “We congratulate them and wish them an enjoyable and productive trip overseas.” Sponsored by BZS through the Ernest E. Stempel Foundation, the pair will attend the 2008 Tunza International Children’s Conference (www.unep.org/tunza) organised by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Stavanger, Norway June 17 to 21. The conference theme is “A Climate for Change.” Open to students 10 to 14 selected by schools or organisations from around the world, the conference is held in a different countries in collaboration with local non-profit groups. Thousands of children have exchanged ideas and shared experiences on the environment through the programme. The aim of the conference, according to UNEP, is to increase children’s understanding of environmental challenges, to demonstrate new ideas, to allow children to express opinions, and to inspire young people to think globally and act locally. In Norway, the conference headquarters will be at the University of Stavanger, in the Scandinavian city voted the 2008 “European Capital of Culture.” Activities over the five days will include workshops, group discussions and educational visits to nature reserves, museums, and other cultural sites. Finally, participants will create a wish-list of challenges that will be sent to world leaders through the United Nations. “Opportunities like this give our children the chance to meet with young environmentalists from all over the world,” said Furbert. “It allows them to share ideas, and inspires them to come up with solutions which previously they may have thought impossible.” This marks the fourth conservation conference attended by Bermudian students through the BZS and the Stempel Foundation. Island delegates attended similar events in Brighton, England in 2000, Victoria, British Columbia in 2002, and New London, Connecticut in 2004.
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