BBC London featured a story on UPF-UK's project, “East London Youth in Support of UN Millennium Development Goals,” which took place on April 26. Twenty-five London youth took part in a day of conservation at an East London Nature Reserve, in celebration with the UN-endorsed Global Youth Service Day.
The participants were given permission to cut down dozens of young trees, creating more space for the remaining trees and fauna to grow by allowing more light to reach the woodland floor.
Their hope was that in years to come this will become a mature woodland area that can be enjoyed not only by themselves but their children and grandchildren.
Furthermore, participants saw this as a small but important way in which they could concretely contribute to the UN’s 7th Millennium Development Goal, which is to ensure environmental sustainability.
Volunteers worked together with the KKT Church, and The London Wildlife Trust to facilitate this volunteer program.
Another purpose of this youth-led project was to tackle the negative image that inner-city youth often have in their communities and empower more youth to effect positive changes in their local area. There is certainly a need for mentors and role models in our communities, and the GPF London team is committed to that process.
Click on the link below to read the report and watch the video by Ajay Rai featured on the BBC London local website:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2008/06/06/yourstories_ajay_gysd_video_feature.shtml