An Eco-Teachers Training Workshop was organised by National Green Corps(NGC) in association with Goa State Council for Science and Technology at RavindraBhavan on 1st October 2019. The Chief Guest, Ms. Maria Fonseca, Principal, St. Joseph Vaz College of Science, Cortalim, Rev Fr. Dr.Walmax Pereira, Environmental expert, Ms. Romaine SanFrancesco, Environmental Consultant associated with Samarpan Foundation and Dr. Joseph S R De Souza, Chief Scientist and Nodal Officer NGC were present for the inaugural function. All the speakers impressed upon the teachers present to take up Green activities in the campus and encourage students to participate, use their skills, creativity and innovative ideas towards protecting the environment and fighting climate change.
This was followed by 2 technical sessions
Session 1: Dr. Joseph S R De Souza, the Nodal Officer for this project shared about NGC and its objectives. He said that as a part of this project, each Institution is supposed to establish an Eco Club with 30-60 members, headed by Green teacher who would be responsible for execution of the NGC program in the institution, encourage students to take up an environment-related project, carry out the activities planned and submit a report by the end of February in the format provided. He also shared a few areas based on which the projects could be taken up and the procedure to be followed by the Eco Clubs for this activity.
Session 2: Environmental Consultant, Ms. Romaine San Francesco spoke on general issues on Environment with respect to Sate of Goa. She also share a few ideas about a sustainable approach to the basics of life i.e. how to get clean air/water, food, shelter and environment. She also shared a few ideas for environment-based projects that can be taken up and how the same are being carried out by their team through Samarpan foundation at Chennai and other places. Their foundation is also planning to provide guidance to agencies in Goa. They appealed to all educational institutions to work towards this cause of saving Nature and expressed their willingness in helping and guiding them in this task if required.
The Workshop was very informative and helped participants understand various environment-related issues and challenges and how we as citizens, especially children and youth, can take steps to flight climate change. Ms. SharmilaKunde, Chief NSS Programme Officer and In-charge Nature Club, attended the workshop
