Participants take practical actions for the environment

Every journey starts at the first step – or even before!

After some days together, the participants and facilitators at the two twin seminars are joining their efforts to work towards a greener future – for themselves, for their communities and associations, and for WAGGGS and the entire world.

At Our Chalet, the daily use of water per person is being measured and compared to the previous days. The disappointment was obvious on Saturday when the number of litres spent that day had increased in comparison to those of Friday. The setback resulted in a quick brain-storming of suggestions for water-saving activities.

The figures showed 115 litres of waters were used per day per person – just imagine if that amount of water had to be carried a long way from a river to a house!

At Sangam, all participants and planning team members have been on an excursion in the nearby community and shopping area, where the access to necessary life resources are limited and well used. This also was an opportunity to experience leadership and responsibilities – in a different way from how the Understanding Leadership sessions were carried out at Our Chalet.

The use of mixed experiences for the adaption of theoretical knowledge and skill practicing is an essential principle of the WAGGGS Leadership Development Programme, in all aspects of the programme including Leadership Development, relationship to Society or Personal Development issues. All activities are meant to be learning opportunities, for the facilitators of the programmes as well as the participants.

Recycling is also an important principle, leading all participants and facilitators to use as little paper and resources as possible and to save their memories electronically. The facilitators save their own energy and get inspired by the exchange and use of each others’ ideas and session programmes between the two seminars.