From June 4th through June 11th, three members of the NIT Green Wind Environment Association – Chen Ting, Wang Xinyi, and Wu Mengxiong – were in Shanghai to attend the International Student Conference on Environment and Sustainability.
The theme of this years conference, ;Ecological Civilization and Green Growth, attracted college students from 48 countries around the world. In addition to the many interesting lectures and demonstrations on environmental sustainability, the venue provided attendees with the opportunity to interact with representatives of government departments, international organizations, and businesses.
Chen Ting, who is the acting leader of the NIT Green Wind Environment Association, observed, “At the conference, we gained much new knowledge about ways to protect the environment, as well as ideas for how to spread the word to others about the critical importance of sustainability. We also met with some famous experts in the field such as Mr. Kaveh Zahedi, the Asia-Pacific regional officer for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).”
Because environmental protection and sustainability will no doubt be the defining challenges of the 21st century, Wang Guangxi, Chairman of the Environment for Sustainable Development Council of UNEP-Tongji Institute, urged that the conference continue its efforts to provide a platform for the worlds youth to discuss significant environmental problems and work together to develop practical solutions. This years International Student Conference on Environment and Sustainability is the third such event to be organized with the support of UNEP and the Beijing Environment Foundation.
Chen Ting commented on Green Winds misson: “Our association provides students with many opportunities to broaden their horizons. Its like a big family. We make friends, share our enthusiasm for environmental issues, and actively present the knowledge we gain to others.”
The Green Wind Environment Association also attaches great importance to cooperation with off-campus environmental organizations and businesses, and participates frequently in various domestic and international initiatives. The Associations activities have been recognized over the last two years: Once by the Wetlands Ambassador Programme at the Ramsar Convention (i.e. the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance) and once by the World Wildlife Fund. Association members have also traveled to Nanjing, Hong Kong, and Xian to participate in activities sponsored by UNEP, the Hong Kong Environmental Protection Association, and the Green Youth Association.
Wang Xinyi commented on the important effect such activities can have on our society and the world: “I believe that the smallest efforts accumulate over time and will eventually have a considerable impact. Together, we are the engine for sustainable development and a green future.”
