‘Environmental Ambassador’ youth training

Vietnamese children’s festival leads to ‘Multicultural Leaders in Sustainability’ (MLS) Program

Anyone aged 18-25 from migrant or refugee backgrounds can apply for MLS which will teach skills and knowledge to help educate communities about environmental sustainability issues.

12 – 16 young people from a range of backgrounds in Melbourne will complete 12 modules of FREE training – 3 hours per week – between February and July. Travel costs will be reimbursed.

What will the young people get out of the training?

• Recognised training accreditation;
• Meet new people with a passion for the environment;
• Gain skills, confidence, experience & knowledge in a range of areas to help find interesting work and education pathways;
• Contribute to your community by helping people learn and benefit from environmental sustainability;
• Potential for further training and education opportunities after MLS;
• IT’LL BE FUN!

APPLICATION
You can apply up till 31 January 2007 and you can download the Application Form here. For more info contact Charlie Davie at Environment Victoria on 03 93418108 or Charlie.davie@envict.org.au or Leanne McGaw at the Centre for Multicultural Youth Issues (CMYI) on 03 93403700 or lmcgaw@cmyi.net.au.

BACKGROUND -The Moon Festival or Mid-Autumn Festival
Tet trung thu has been running in Footscray – in Melbourne’s west – for nearly 30 years. Traditionally it’s a celebration for children because at harvest time parents ‘neglected’ them to work on crops. It’s a recognition that without them, there would be no future….and of course the moon is a symbol of purity and innocence.

Throughout September lantern-making workshops are run for children and families, with the finished products lighting the festival’s procession. Children are given sweets and presents and there are moon cakes, food and culture stalls, a stage with youth bands, rides, and singing and dancing at the festival.

The festival has now incorporated another element, the ‘Nha Dep’ or ‘beautiful home’ environmental project that aims to reduce energy and water use in Vietnamese households.

“Conservation is a very forward-thinking philosophy, tying in well with the festival theme of children and the future,” says program coordinator, Michelle Burton. The project was launched at the 2005 festival and continued throughout the year helping homes to save money while helping the environment.

FUNDING
MLS is funded by the Victorian Government through a Victorian Community Support Fund Grant, Metlink, Yarra Valley Water and Fouress Foundation.