LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA

St. John's
The Environment Division in the Ministry of PublicWorks, Transportation and Environment, in conjunction with the National Solid Waste Management Authority, organized a poster competition among the primary schools in Antigua and Barbuda. The competition was in joint recognition of World Environment Day 2006, the conference of the third Caribbean Environmental Forum and Exhibition (CEF-3) and the 12th annual Wider Caribbean Waste Management Conference (RECARIBE 2006). These were hosted in Antigua from 5 - 9 June. The themes for the postcard competition were based on the WED theme Deserts and desertification - Don’t desert drylands!, and Start recycling… reduce the littering.

ARGENTINA

Buenos Aires
In 2005, the Florencia Tederina Ecoclub organized in district schools a competition of children’s paintings to express how man relates to the environment. The jury consisted of two well-known teachers in the plastic arts field. Painting kits were given as prizes to the winners.

La Rioja
On 5-8 June 2006, a regional meeting on youth and sustainable development was organized with more than 80 young people from the provinces of Catamarca, Jujuy, Salta, Santiago del Estero, La Rioja and Tucuman participating. They prepared an action plan for training in environmental issues and the implementation of projects in the country.

BRAZIL

Brasília
On 5 June 2006, the President of Brazil, His Excellency Mr. Luiz Inácio Lula Da Silva, launched National Week of the Environment and announced several programmes for the sustainable development of the Amazon. A number of ministers were present at the ceremony, including H.E. Marina Silva (Environment), H.E. Márcio Thomaz Bastos (Justice), H.E. Paulo Sérgio Passos (Transport), H.E. Guilherme Cassel (Agricultural Development), and H.E. Pedro Brito do Nascimento (National Integration).
The Brazilian report on Integrated Assessment and Planning of the Soybean Sector in the Influence Area of Highway BR-163 was also launched. This document is part of a UNEP-led initiative on Capacity Building for Integrated Assessment and Planning for Sustainable Development, which aims to enhance capacities of countries, particularly developing and transition countries, to undertake planning for sustainable development, with particular focus on agriculture, poverty alleviation, environmental management and sustainable trade promotion.
On 8 June 2006, the Brazilian Government and UNEP signed a Memorandum of Understanding that provides the legal framework for the development of a series of integrated environmental assessments known as the Global Environment Outlook Brazil series. The assessment will be produced in association with the Brazilian National Water Agency and the Institute for the Environment and Natural Resources, among other non-government institutions and experts.

São Paulo
In 2005, the São Paulo Rail Rapid Transit Company (Metrô de São Paulo) organized a two-day discussion panel, which focused on the relationship between transportation, environment and sustainable development of large metropolitan areas such as São Paulo and neighbouring cities. An exhibition was held at the company’s headquarters and a four-day distance learning programme on the environment was broadcast.

CAYMAN ISLANDS

In 2004, using the theme Wanted! Seas and Oceans - Dead or Alive? John Gray Recyclers introduced plastic recycling in all the schools on the Islands. The project entitled Plastic Six Pack Holder Recycling reflects the importance the organization attaches to the concept "ReUse" and "Recycle" because marine debris consists of plastic items including six pack holders that strangle marine life such as turtles. The holders were taken to Bodden Beverages in Grand Cayman for "ReUse" and any left over were sent to the Hi-Cone Plant in the United States for Recycling. A clean up of Barkers National Park, the first National Park in the Cayman Islands, was also undertaken. In 2005, John Gray Recyclers worked on the naming of the rare trees in the Park and cleared the area of some of the dead trees that had been felled during Hurricane Ivan in September 2004. The Islands' National Trust are helping with the naming of the trees and have helped John Gray Recyclers find two very rare trees already.

CHILE

Santiago
In 2005, ecology students in Chile’s Central University designed, built and planted trees in a city square.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

In 2005, a plan of the government’s environmental policy was presented, and a coalition of environment groups, for the second year running, organized a celebration under the gardens of the Cibao Theatre and the Santiago monument. Various artistic and educational activities were undertaken to develop awareness on the environment and “protected areas”. The aim was to fight deforestation caused by those who want to commercially ‘exploit’ areas, which have a high ecological value and are recognized as biosphere reserves.

EL SALVADOR

Santo Tomas
In 2005, a three-kilometre group bicycle ride was organized in the municipality. The streets were closed and school children between the ages of 7 and 18 years were invited to participate.

GUYANA

Georgetown
In 2005, Banks DIH Limited – a Food and Beverage Manufacturer – sponsored a banner competition for secondary schools in which 15 schools participated under the theme: Green Cities - Plan for the Planet! The Company provided the materials, paint and brushes, and each school was required to form an Environmental Club, which would undertake a school-based project that promotes environmental awareness. The competition’s first to third place winners received prizes.

Ruimveldt
In 2006, Banks DIH Limited sponsored two projects. The first was an essay competition for the Annai Secondary School students in an indigenous community located over 200 miles from the capital Georgetown. The second was the Company's third annual WED secondary schools' banner competition. Deserts and desertification was selected as the theme for the competition. The staff participated in a 'Green Walk', and the Company donated garbage bins to the Botanical Gardens. The bins were painted and designed by the children of the Banks' employees.

HAITI

In 2004, the global World Environment Day theme Wanted! Seas and Oceans: Dead or Alive? was transformed to SOS! Let’s Save our Mountains, Coasts and Seas. Activities were held in the large coastal cities, (e.g. the capital Port-au-Prince, Gonaïves, Saint-Marc, Jacmel, Cayes and Jérémie) and included: a press conference on 4 June to mark the launch of Environment Week (organized by the Ministries of Environment, Public Health, Public Works, Agriculture and Planning in collaboration with Civil Society, the City Hall of the Metropolis, and environmental associations); statements by the Prime Minister and the mayors of the cities concerned; development of educational materials distributed to members of the country’s coastal associations; clean-ups of important canals, drains and sewage openings in the metropolitan area and the bigger cities in the country; an awareness building campaign; a parade through all the cities targeted followed by the cleaning of beaches and forests; hoisting of promotional banners at all major intersections in the capital and provincial cities; broadcasting of awareness-building public service announcements in the capital and other targeted cities; distribution of leaflets, brochures and posters to targeted groups; environmental excursions to nature sites around the capital; launch of two nationwide competitions: one to decide on three zones where botanical centres would be set up and another to select an environment anthem.

MEXICO

Mexico City
In 2005, PLANETA.COM presented the fifth annual Colibri Ecotourism Achievement Award at the Xochimilco Gardens. The award is presented to a leading catalyst working toward ecotourism in Mexico, and the winner of the annual award receives a trophy, a diploma and a $1,000 cash prize from the President of Canyon Travel.

In 2006, a green area was inaugurated with native plants from the region named Xoxhotla Papalotl (butterfly garden), where for the last 15 years the work on environmental education has stood out.
The "Encounter" was the name of the special presentation, which converged different artistic expressions and the connection of humankind with deserts. The National Company of Folkloric Dance and the Company Eros Ludens (contemporary ballet) put on a show where the writings of the Mexican poet Carlos Gomez provided a story about different concepts around deserts and desertification. A pinch of reality was present with the projection of two videos with images of the state of deserts and drylands around the world, specially in Mexico. This was the first of a series of presentations that will travel around Mexico and other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean throughout the year.

2006 was the first time that UNILEVER and the UNEP Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean joined forces to promote World Environment Day. The event was held on 10 June in the ecological park Xochitla. UNILEVER and 3,000 of its employees and their family members gathered at the park where the President of UNILEVER and a representative of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) planted a tree. The programme included discussions on desertification and a contest where attendees had to tour different stands – at each of these points they had to collect hints to solve a puzzle on deserts and desertification.

Monterrey
In 2005, Mundo Fest organized a free concert with Celso Piña, Genitalica, Fonka Tonka, Reyes del Camino and Los Primos. The public was requested to leave the Macroplaza clean after the event.

Oaxaca

In 2006, PLANETA.COM presented its sixth annual Colibri Ecotourism Achievement award to a leading figure working toward responsible tourism in Mexico. In support of the World Environment Day theme Planeta.com updated its online desert guides.

NICARAGUA

Nicaragua celebrates Environment and Natural Resources Week by National Law, and is carried out every year during the first week of June. In 2006, activities took place from 3-9 June with the opening ceremony taking place in the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. A videoconference was also organized, addressing the conflict of dry lands in Central America. An exhibition for businessmen that work on recycled, organic and cleaner production was presented in coordination with the National Institute of Small and Medium Business. In addition, a cycling competition for environmental quality protection was organized, and various universities held conferences on the environment.

PARAGUAY

In 2006, the Ministry of Environment and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), through the Project Wild Paraguay, presented on 27 June a dance performance entitled Y amai (Water for life, in Guarani). The themes were water, nature, human beings and their inter-linkages. On that night, the National Ballet of Paraguay presented the play in the Convention Room of the Central Bank of Paraguay. Y amai is a collective creation from the National Ballet and the non-governmental organization, Survival Earth Friends. The performance was produced as part of the campaign Water for Life and the Day’s theme. A photographic exhibition on National Parks, such as Rio Negro, Paso Bravo, San Rafael and Medanos del Chaco was also organized.

Asuncion
The United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) led a major group to conduct four events to celebrate World Environment Day 2006. Activities on 5 June began with a conference on desertification, soil management and water resources. The event held at the Universidad Autonoma de Asuncion was attended by the Minister of Environment, representatives of academia, the United Nations and about 300 participants.
On 7 June, some 600 people attended a nine-hour conference in Santa Rita, one of the most significant agricultural areas of the country. The following week, a similar round was conducted in Filadelfia (attendance 450), an agricultural enclave in the middle of the main desert area located 600 km north of the capital. This two-day activity was organized in collaboration with local partners. A fourth conference was held in Oviedo on the refilling zone of the sub-soil water resource Acuifero Guarani (believed to be the second largest in the world). The following organizations co-organized or financially supported the events: the Ministry of Environment, the Senate, the National University of Asuncion, Metropolitan University, Autonomic University, the NGO Sobrevivencia, Itaipu Binacional Hydro-electrical power generator and the UNESCO Committee.

PERU

Huancavelica
In 2005, the Regional Department of Health of Huancavelica organized a poster competition with the participation of educational institutions for pre-primary and primary schools.

ST. MAARTEN

In 2005, and in cooperation with Enviro I, the umbrella organization of environmental foundations of St Maarten, Ocean Care Foundation organized a beach and shoreline clean up at Great Bay in Philipsburg. Educational activities for children were also organized to raise awareness of environmental issues. Ocean Care also organized a reef clean up at Little Bay.

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Arima
The GLOBE Trotters Environmental Club, undertook a number of activities to celebrate World Environment Day 2005, including: a poster competition among schools on the theme "Green Cities" from 2-27 May; a week-long celebration in which NGOs visited the school and interacted with the students; the wearing of a pin (a green leaf) by every student on 3 June; participation in an environmental walk/run around Queen's Park Savannah on 5 June; and a special school assembly on 3 June in which the Club highlighted the significance of the week’s activities.

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