Hope for the future
When it comes to addressing major social issues across different cultures, success depends largely on international experience and a high level of personal dedication. Ingrid Vahland, wife of Dr.Vahland, (president of Volkswagen Group China), can offer both experience and dedication in her work at schools in China. Increasing environmental awareness and responsibility is a major cornerstone of the Green Future Environmental Education Initiative (GFEEI). The joint initiative between Volkswagen Group China (VGC) and the Centre for Environmental Education and Communications (CEEC) of the Chinese Ministry of the Environment relies on experienced individuals like Ingrid Vahland to drive the project forward.
Mrs Vahland, we would like to hear more about your involvement in environmental education in China, but could you first tell us something about yourself?
I have been living in China for almost three years now and have visited many regions in the country. Before moving to China, I lived in the Czech Republic, Brazil and the USA. I also worked as a teacher in Germany for a number of years. I now have a voluntary, supporting role at Volkswagen and try to incorporate my international experience in the GFEEI project.
What is the idea behind the Green Future Environmental Education Initiative?
"Young people are the future of the country". For me, this is much more than just a sentiment. I strongly believe that if we can raise awareness of environmental issues among young people and awaken their sense of environmental responsibility, we will succeed in increasing the status of environmental protection throughout society in China. While children and young adults are still developing, it is relatively easy to raise their interest in environmental issues and let them know what they can do to protect the environment. In this way, we hope that the young generation will have a positive influence on the rest of society. I am convinced that extensive environmental education for young people will help kick-start sustainable development in the country at least by the time they reach adulthood.
Who is the campaign aimed at?
The core target groups are school children and young students in China's "Green Schools". These schools were selected ten years ago by the CEEC as part of the "Green School Certification Programme" and now act as a starting point for expanding environmental education in China.
How many school children do you expect to reach with the initiative?
The programme is in place throughout the country in over 700 national Green Schools and publicized on the Internet and other media, as well as through various competitions. This ensures that over 34,000 primary and secondary school pupils on a national, regional, city and district level have the opportunity to take part, which enables us to reach over 30 million pupils.
What prompted you to take part in these activities?
Protecting the environment is one of the most important, yet largely neglected issues in China. The size and significance of the country means that this poses a problem for the entire world. I want to contribute to solving this problem. Only by establishing a responsible approach to protecting our environment can we maintain the basis for the life of future generations.
When was the programme launched and how long will it run for?
The project was launched in April 2007 and the first phase will last until 2009. Following an appraisal, we will draw up a plan for the next three or five years.
What is your initial impression? How are pupils responding to the project?
There is a great deal of interest in environmental protection and a strong willingness to change things for the better. We have visited many different regions, from major cities to remote villages, visited educational institutions throughout the country and Chinese schools both large and small. We have spoken to disabled, as well as able-bodied children and were welcomed with open arms wherever we went. It is a joy to see the critical approach applied by Chinese pupils and how willing they are to make their contribution to environmental protection in everyday life.
What have you learnt through your contact with Chinese pupils?
My visits to Chinese schools are always an enriching experience. I am sure that the pupils also benefit from their experiences and that they will pass on the lessons they have learnt when they are at home. They are extremely enthusiastic and willing to change things for the better, which is why I think my efforts will pay off.
How is GFEEI connected to Volkswagen's involvement in the Olympics?
As official automobile partner of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Volkswagen Group China has dedicated itself to the principles of a "Green Olympics", "High-tech Olympics" and "People's Olympics". The central idea behind GFEEI is to increase the prominence of environmental education among young people. This is our contribution to the "Green Olympics". In 2008, GFEEI was also responsible for promoting the values of the Olympic Games. This is our contribution to the "People's Olympics". We are also supported by former Olympic champions at many GFEEI events, such as Chen Jing, gold medal winner in singles table tennis in 1988. We met her in December 2007 at the Yuanping Special Education School, a school for mentally disabled pupils in Shenzen.
As part of our educational programme, Chen Jing played a number of matches against pupils at the Yuanping Special Education School, including the gold medal winner of the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai. Campaigns like these are extremely effective because they help us to raise public awareness for environmental protection and spread the Olympic spirit.