'MAS Eco Go beyond' to stress on sustainable development education

24 Apr '08

2 min read

MAS Eco Go Beyond, a strategic CR initiative of MAS Holdings commenced in August 2006. The objective of MAS Eco Go Beyond is the provision of sustainable development education to selected schools in predominantly rural locations in Sri Lanka where MAS business units are located.

Its main thrust is to create and raise awareness on the concept and practice of sustainable development; to provide an opportunity for the implementation of the knowledge gained.

With the launch of phase two in March the programme conducted workshops for 2700 students in 10 schools across Thulhiriya, Avisawella and Kandy.

The workshops were structured to cover the 'social', 'environmental' and 'economic' aspects of sustainable development.

Each session was followed by a skit linked to the sub area, and the workshop concluded with the screening of a customized documentary on environment sustainability.

Schools were provided with message boards and material which used symbols and brief descriptors to highlight main messages, while a mobile exhibit display was provided to visualize issues and encourage action amongst the audience of 15 – 18 year old youth.

The programme targeted this cohort with the intent of empowering tomorrow's leaders with the requisite skills and knowledge to build a better and more sustainable tomorrow.

A value addition for phase two was the inclusion of a Tamil school as a pilot venture. This initiative is endorsed by the Ministry of Education.

A key secondary objective is the provision of support for applied learning where youth identify critical issues and work to improve life in their homes, schools and communities.

Schools will work on applied learning projects from May to August; the initiative culminates in awards ceremony in September. Mrs. Sandya Wijebandara, additional Secretary to the ministry attended the workshop at Thulhiriya Maha Vidyalaya.

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