Environment, Youth and Arts

This 2-page document, from the Arts for Global Development Inc.'s art'ishake e-magazine, explores the strategy of using information and communication technologies (ICTs) and interpersonal interaction to foster youth participation in environmental initiatives - through artwork. Author Luciana Grosu Brindusa, a young Romanian, suggests that this strategy may be key for creating a global youth-centred movement for environmental protection.

Brindusa begins by suggesting that internet access points through which youth could contact their peers in other countries could be an effective means of fostering the exchange of environment-related art forms among different groups of young people around the world. She cites several examples of this strategy in practice, indicating that the use of photography could be a useful way of raising awareness about a country's environmental assets (helping to make citizens aware of how important it is to fight for environmental protection in the place they live). As she explains, youth could send pictures through the internet. Then, in the partnering country, these pictures could be printed on tee-shirts, cups, and other items in an effort to sensitise citizens to environmental issues.

Brindusa also explores the use of video as a medium, indicating that young people could use technology developed by such companies as France Telecom to create "communicating clothing" - a fashion trend that young people could contribute to by making short video presentations on nature themes to be put on these clothes. Such images might also find a place on mobile phones or small screens in public transport areas.

Turning to the Romanian context, Brindusa highlights several other examples of this strategy, such as "Sunflower Kids", a Romanian foundation which sponsors youth camps that integrate artwork into theoretical coursework focusing on environmental protection and ecology, for example. Children are asked to create a story or a poem based on an image of a landscape they like; in keeping with Romanian tradition, they are invited to tell their own stories around the campfire. Similarly, a school in Bucharest launched a "Get out of the House" campaign" in partnership with the mayor's office. By creating small gardens, children learned to express messages related to environmental conservation. In this case, younger children collaborated with teenagers in creating original artwork inspired by books, movies, monuments, persons, or abstract ideas.

In short, Brindusa suggests that children and young people can be effective agents for change when involved in art-based, participatory initiatives that address environmental issues.

To request access to the full document, please contact Art4Development.Net at the address below.