From Beijing to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Canada, the Roots & Shoots programme continues to empower young people to drive environmental and social change in their communities.
In Beijing, the Roots & Shoots group Buds of Hope developed an environmental education programme targeting college students. The initiative recruited forty passionate volunteer teams to bring environmental education to schools and communities . Their mission? To inspire the next generation to care for the planet.
Each team conducted over 80 environmental education activities so far, reaching nearly 200 classroom hours throughout the last year. The project curated 11 outstanding teaching plans, selected for their creativity and impact. An online exchange event allowed the authors to share their methodologies, practical experiences, and insights. Additionally, environmental education summer and winter camps in Yunnan and Guizhou brought together nearly 100 local primary school students and university volunteers, fostering hands-on learning and community engagement.
In Butembo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, a group of determined young leaders addressed the challenges of urbanisation, deforestation, and limited opportunities through the Roots & Shoots programme. Despite scarce resources, they established school and community nurseries, trained peers in participatory mapping, and launched hygiene and environmental projects tailored to local needs.
Their efforts resulted in over 4,000 seedlings planted, greening schools and neighbourhoods. Hundreds of families were educated on hygiene and environmental care, while youth-led maps identified priority areas for cleaning, protection, and rehabilitation. The project not only restored soil and reduced erosion but also inspired a movement, proving that youth can lead conservation and sustainable development.
In Edmonton, Alberta, students in grades 9–12 took a stand to promote awareness about the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2Spirit (MMIWG+) epidemic in Canada. Their Roots & Shoots project aimed to raise awareness and foster unity within their school and community.
The students organised an evening event featuring performances, beading projects, drumming, and personal storytelling. The event created a platform for discussions on gender and racial inequity, with symbols like red ribbons and handprints sparking conversations. As one student noted, these visuals provided opportunities to explain the importance of the cause. Through active dialogue and community action, the project addressed challenging topics and empowered participants to advocate for change.
If you feel motivated by these stories, you can be part of this global movement.
Find your local Roots & Shoots office and take action today—by joining a group or starting your own. Together, we can build a more compassionate and sustainable world.
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