Business helps kids champion environment

Young 'agents of change' will have far-reaching impact

The programme, which is also supported by a network of government, NGO and media partners, aims to turn Indonesian elementary and junior school students into environmental champions - giving them the skills and awareness to 'clean up' not just their schools but their family homes and neighbourhoods too.

As part of the initiative, Unilever and partners have provided 59 schools, and around 120 students and teachers, with training in environmental management, recycling, fundraising and leadership. Working together with their teachers, students then used their new skills to develop specific solutions for environmental issues within their schools.

Prize-winning teams

The three most successful schools (for both elementary and junior schools) were announced last month - securing prize money of IDR 18 million (approximately €1300). The judging was based on student participation rates, greening, recycling and waste reduction.

As a city, Jakarta faces acute environmental problems, including poor air quality, traffic congestion and flooding due to poor drainage - which means there's an urgent need for initiatives like 'Jakarta Green School'.

Agents of change

"Understanding and concern for the environment should be developed from an early age so that environmental problems can be recognised and prevented as early as possible," says Josef Bataona, Director of Human Resources and Corporate Relations. "We hope teachers and students will become agents of change within the surrounding neighbourhoods, so that the impact of their work can spread to more communities and schools."

The programme represents a natural extension of Unilever Indonesia's existing 'Jakarta Clean and Green' initiative. Since 2006, the project has helped women become green entrepreneurs by recycling waste into trendy accessories, as well as teaching local citizens composting techniques.