The Sustainable Campuses Project

Sustainable Campuses Project is a national youth directed initiative that inspires, informs, trains, and supports Canadian students promoting environmental responsibility and sustainability in post-secondary institutions. The Sustainable Campuses Program was not only founded to change environmental and social practices on university campuses but also aims to give youth empowerment, information, and skills to influence decision-makers. A campus provides a smaller scale for students to address problems so they are more likely to see concrete ways of taking action and produce tangible outcomes and victories. Through this direct experience, concrete changes, and positive reinforcement youth gain the confidence and will to influence decision-making beyond their campus for example in municipal, provincial, or federal government policy. The program also provides skills to balance theoretical concepts students learn in university and prepare them for the job market.

Youth in Decision-Making

SYC recently sent delegates to Bali for the preparatory conference to the World Summit for Sustainable Development (WSSD) and will have participating delegates in Johannesburg for the WSSD. SYC has also sent representatives to meetings of the United Nations Commission for Sustainable Development, has members on Environment Canada's Youth Roundtable, and participates in the Canadian Environmental Network's Annual General Meeting. All of these representatives have played key roles in representing Canadian youth concerned about the environment while concurrently providing skills and opportunities for Canadian youth in International and National decision-making processes.

Community Youth Action Gatherings

The youth action gatherings are based on an inclusive, youth developed mandate to enhance community initiatives with Youth and to provide an opportunity for a diverse group of youth to develop critical skills needed to implement environmental and social justice initiatives in their own schools and communities. The program is scheduled to be launched in the summer of 2003, and will begin with a pilot camp for the Ottawa region.

Youth Think Tanks

Think tanks held across the country give members and non-members alike the opportunity to discuss issues that are important to them and to highlight the priorities of the Sierra Youth Coalition. The think tanks will provide the opportunity for youth to connect with other youth in their communities while concurrently playing an active role in the development of a national youth organization.

The BET

The idea for the BET came from a group of European students who recently made a bet with the European Union that they could reduce 8% of greenhouse emissions from schools, universities and individuals in 16 European countries within 8 months. In Canada, we are making a similar bet with our government.

The BET represents citizens' frustration at the lack of action taken by governments to meet their Kyoto commitments. Our success in winning the BET will prove that not only are reductions possible, but that they can be achieved quickly and efficiently.

II. Sustainable Campuses Project

Sustainable Campuses Project, an initiative of the SYC, is the first Canadian attempt to network post-secondary students from across the country in their efforts at "campus greening," meaning their initiatives at making their campuses more environmentally responsible. This responsibility goes beyond recycling programs or the installation of double-siding features in photocopiers; SYC encourages it to take the form of Environmental Management Systems, a way of integrating environmental responsibility and sustainable development into the core of academic institutions.

SYC is currently writing a business plan and will need help with research. If you are interested in becoming involved.

III. Youth in Decision-Making

Youth in Decision-Making creates spaces for youth in decision-making bodies, and then select youth delegates to fill these spaces. The SYC has participated in sending representative to the United Nations Commission for Sustainable Development, Environment Canada's Youth Round Table , as well as the Canadian Environmental Network Annual General Assembly.

More recently the SYC is also in partnership with the United Nations Association of Canada to form and promote a Youth Summit Team for the Earth Summit 2002.

IV. Youth Internships

Youth Internships provide practical work experience and job skills for Canadian youth in the field of environment and in the realm of non-governmental organizations. There are three types of internships offered by the SYC:

• Seven month internships
• Room and Board internships in Ottawa
• International Internships

V. Activist Training

Activist Training/Education gives young people access to participation in conferences, educational tours, and workshops. The SYC also holds governance training for itsExecutive Committee, and leadership training for its Regional Coordinators.

VI. Other Projects

Youth Summit of Sustainable Urban Transportation

SYC is on the steering committee of the national Youth Summit of Sustainable Urban Transportation and want you to participate in the Summit!! Apply now to come to Ottawa on May 10-14, 2002 to participate in the national Youth Summit on Sustainable Urban Transportation. It will bring together 75 youth from across the country, aged 17-24, to discover and discuss the importance of sustainable transportation in our communities. The goal of the summit is to send back to Canadian communities youth who are well informed and encourage local action on sustainable transportation issues.

If you are an SYC member or associate member (ie you work within an SYC group but you aren't a paid member) let us know that you have applied! What should you do_

1. Apply through the Youth Summit (en Français) web-site.
2. Email and let us know that you have applied.