News Release Archive
ENVIRONMENT--ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM ----------------------------------------------------------------- The Nova Scotia Youth Conservation Corps (NSYCC) is looking for eight people, aged 21 to 24, who are interested in learning more about the environment and improving their leadership skills. Every year the conservation corps, in partnership with Conservation Corps Newfoundland and Labrador (CCNL), Association de Apoyo y Promocion de Ideas para el Desarrollo (APID) and Canada World Youth (CWY) send up to 16 young Atlantic Canadians on an Environmental Leadership Program (ELP). As well, APID also sponsors eight young Costa Ricans or "Ticos" in the program. The program is divided into three phases. During the first, participants are briefed on cultural adaptation, group standards, roles and responsibilities. The second phase of seven-eight weeks is conducted in Costa Rica where the focus of the program is on developing leadership, while engaged in environmental activities. While in Costa Rica, the group works with APID in environmental, development and leadership workshops/projects. Last year's program, for example, worked on clean-up of a former dumpsite, including its re-forestation, as well as development and delivery of environmental education workshops to schools in Costa Rica. For the Nova Scotia and Tico participants, the third phase of the program takes place in Nova Scotia where they work with the Nova Scotia Youth Conservation Corps as project workers. For nine weeks they will be putting the skills and experiences gathered in Costa Rica to use while working on environmental projects in the Nova Scotia participants' home communities. They will also be making presentations to youth and community groups. During this phase, the Nova Scotia participants host their Tico counterparts as well. Participants selected for the program have their expenses to Costa Rica (travel, meals and accommodations) covered by the ELP partners. Participants will receive a modest amount of weekly pocket money and a stipend of $850 upon successfully completing the entire program. As well, a hosting allowance is also provided to defray costs associated with hosting a Costa Rican counterpart during the Nova Scotia phase. Interested persons must be: open and adaptable to a cultural exchange opportunity; have little or no international experience but seeking to embrace a new experience; a permanent resident of Nova Scotia; not afraid of hard work and learning Spanish; wishing to participate as a project worker in their own community for an additional eight-nine weeks working on environmental projects such as trail development, stream enhancement, wildlife/vegetation surveys, and environmental education; keen on assuming a leadership role in improving the environment; open to hosting a Tico counterpart participant during the Nova Scotia phase. Interested Nova Scotia applicants should contact: Bill Smith, Administrator, Youth Conversation Corps, Department of the Environment, P.O. Box 2107, Halifax, N.S. B3J 3B7, Fax: 902-424-0501, E-Mail: smithwd@gov.ns.ca Deadline for submissions is 4 p.m. Feb. 3, 1997. -30- Contact: Bill Smith 902-424-5071 trp Jan. 13, 1997 - 10:08 a.m.