Bangkok--Oct 12--Visage
With our conviction that “Youth today is the driving force behind the country’s achievement of its future goals.”, Bayer Environmental Envoy Program organized by Bayer Thai Co., Ltd. and the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) with support from environmental agencies of both public and private sectors has been continuously implemented to foster such conviction since 1996 and this year is the 8th year Program. Young people with keen interest and outstanding environmental activities are selected to exchange views and join environmental activities both domestically and internationally.
Broaden experience through “Environmental Camp”
“Environmental Camp” is the first activity to enhance the experience of the youths. In early October, 49 students from all over the country who had been selected in the first round and appointed as Bayer Environmental Envoys for 2004 met in Bangkok before traveling to Rayong, the destination where they would join activities for 2 days and 3 nights.
“The objective of this environmental camp is to allow these youths to visit and learn about environmental projects. This will expand their knowledge and ideas for further adaptation to environmental activities in their communities. Meanwhile, this is also a great opportunity for students from various institutes and domiciles to build up a good relationship as well as strengthen the network of young people who have environmental awareness that will lead to environmental activities in the future. ”, Mr. Chaweng Jao, Mr Dominikus von Pescatore, Managing Director, Bayer Thai Co., Ltd. and Chairman of Bayer Environmental Envoy Committee said at the opening of the camp.
Bayer envoys had a chance to learn many forms of environmental activities including organic fertilizer and power project of Rayong Municipality and Development of Environment and Energy Foundation, a project initiated by His Majesty the King and one of the Royal Chitralada Projects. The plant is the first to produce organic fertilizer from garbage while biogas is converted to electric power. The processes are based on people participation.
Moreover, Bayer envoys went to Rayong Aquarium of the Department of Fisheries where rare and splendid marine animals are gathered. They also gained knowledge about aquatic animals and fisheries which reflected the ecological system particularly along the coast of the Gulf of Thailand.
Build “Ban Pla” with Noen Payom villagers
The highlight of all the activities is a visit to Ban Pla Project in Pak Klong Klaeng - Suan Son. Bayer envoys were informed of the degradation of environment in the coastal areas which caused difficulties for the people in making a living. They also learnt about the management that reflected the use of local wisdom and people participation to restore an abundance of aquatic resources.
More importantly, all Bayer enjoys joined fishermen and people of Ban Noen Payom, Tambon Klaeng, Amphur Klaeng, Rayong in building “Ban Pla”. Although everyone was exhausted but they were very proud of their work and collaboration in constructing Ban Pla to be one of the places for aquatic animals in the Gulf of Thailand.
Besides visiting many places, there were activities that encouraged Bayer envoys to brainstorm their ideas on youth participation in environmental protection. All the activities organized at the camp were aimed at enabling the youths to learn about environmental management and realize that:
“Environmental management requires not only participation of all concerned parties but also time and continuous efforts for sustainable achievement.”
Widen horizon through overseas visit
In addition to knowledge and experience gained from local visits, the top 5 envoys in the final round will be selected as representatives of Thailand to travel to Germany, one of the countries with the best environmental management in the world. The envoys will visit the headquarters of Bayer AG and the state-of-the-art facilities of environmental management in Leverkusen and many other government agencies. They will have a chance to exchange views and knowledge with envoys from other 11 countries in November this year.
In 2004, 49 students from all over the country are appointed as Bayer Environmental Envoys. Among these, 10 are from Bangkok, 10 from the North, 8 from the central part, 8 from the East, 8 from the North East and 5 from the South. Currently, there are over 300 Bayer envoys who will lead and implement the networking of future environmental activities.
Various viewpoints of “Bayer Envoys”
Ms. Supannika Intanont, “Or”, 3rd-year student of the Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University said about this environmental camp that:
“Apart from meeting many new friends at the camp, I also learn new things that can be adapted to everyday life, like a visit to organic fertilizer and power plant or building of Ban Pla at Noen Payom Village. More importantly, it made me aware that environment is very close to us and we all can collaborate to make changes to the world.”
Ms. Tip-apha Tammongkut, “Aim”, a Mathayom 6 student of Mahidol Wittayanusorn School, Nakhon Pathom viewed that “Joining this camp gave me a chance to meet a lot of new friends who can become future network. I’ve also known about something I used to think I knew in an even deeper sense. For example, visiting garbage factory in Rayong shows me another way of garbage management while Ban Pla Project of Noen Payom villagers represents cooperation and collaboration of the community. It made me realize that environment relies on participation of all parties concerned.”
Mr. Siriphong Kongchoo, “Best”, a Mathayom 6 student of Trium Udom Suksa School, Nakhon Si Thammarat, mentioned that “This environmental camp was full of friendship. We all are brothers, sisters and friends who have good relations. This is very much different from other camps I had joined. I’ve also learnt a lot from this camp, like how to think about environmental problem solving. Building of Ban Pla of Noen Payom villagers also shows collaborative efforts of the people in problem solving and restoration of coastal resources by themselves.”
For more information, please contact:
Malee Chaeng-aroon / Public Relations Department
Bayer Thai Co., Ltd.
Tel. 0-2232-7017-8
Fax. 0-2267-2784 End.
--InfoQuest (NT)--