The LEAD Programme’s contribution to educating future generationsMartha RichterThe Natural History MuseumLEAD Fellow

The LEAD Programme & LEAD International

• the LEAD Programme - Leadership for Environment and Development - started in 1991, as one of the Rockefeller Foundation’s most ambitious projects for that decade and beyond

• today, the LEAD Programme is under the auspices of LEAD INTERNATIONAL Inc. (www.lead.org) and the Secretariat is based in London, UK

LEAD’s Mission

• To create, strengthen and support networks of people and institutions promoting change towards sustainable development that is economically sound, environmentally responsible and socially equitable

The LEAD Programme

LEAD offers a unique, international training programme in two phases:

• Associates Programme: National and international 18-month training sessions focused on a variety of themes in environment and sustainable development. The national and regional training sessions are organized by the 14 Member Programmes based in different countries

• Fellows Programme: Includes internships and exchanges, collaborative projects, conference participation as individuals and as part of delegations, participation in topical events organized by LEAD, and placements in key positions

LEAD’s National & Regional Member Programmes

There are currently more than 1600 LEAD fellows in over 80 countries

LEAD Fellows

• 1600 Fellows & growing

• reach into a multitude of organizations and sectors

• connected to each other

• connected to influential partners

Some of LEAD’s current partners• Association of Commonwealth Universities• IUCN• UN/UNEP• UN/FAO• UN Habitat• Smithsonian Institute• Globalegacy• Forum for the Future• Imperial College, Harvard University• UNDP• IIED• IISD• University of Peace (UN/UPeace)• Earth Charter Secretariat• British Council …

LEAD: a Unique Network

• Real + Virtual Community

• Strong shared experience

• Mid-career, influential leaders

• Cross-sectoral

• Cross-cultural

• Local + global reach

• Neutral space

• High levels of trust

LEAD Fellows educating future generations- grassroot projectsThe ‘Dolphin Citizen’ project (Fernando de Noronha Island, Brazil)

• to build capacity amongst the local youngsters to work as educated tourist guides• to help improve the economy of the island

LEAD Fellows educating future generations- grassroot projects

The ‘Ocean Guardians’ a ‘school boat’ project in the town of Ubatuba, Atlantic coast of São Paulo, Brazil

• environmental education targeting teenagers

• boat chosen to:

1.provide teenagers with an overview of the beautiful landscape - the city and mountains

2.show them problems with unplanned housing developments, pollution at the sea, low quality of life for many of the city’s migrants

3.prepare the youngsters to work in Sustainable Tourism

LEAD Fellows educating future generationschildren’s education at museums

• about 25% of the LEAD’s Fellows work at

universities and museums - like the

Natural History Museum in London - and

other cultural centres around the world

• the NHM (www.nhm.ac.uk) receives more

than 3 million visitors per year

• LEAD’s training provides a sound

background to plan educational activities

that are meaningful for the local

communities

LEAD Fellows educating future generations

LEAD’s Young Leaders Project

• started in 2005, provides students and young professionals with the opportunity to work with, and be mentored by- a LEAD Fellow in Brazil, India, Indonesia or Mexico on solution-based work-placements

• currently, there are more than 70 work placements available in rural and urban areas (http://www.lead.org/youngleaders)

LEAD Programme’s role in educating the future generations. A personal viewKNOWLEDGE

• educate young people about environmental problems and engage them in possible solutions (contribution to UN Millennium Development Goal 7 - Ensure environmental sustainability)

• share expertise on environmental education generously and globally (contribution to MDG 8 - Develop a global partnership for development)

• help safeguard traditional knowledge for future generations

• work with young people to help protect local cultural heritage and biodiversity

LEAD Programme’s role in educating the future generations. A personal view

ETHICS

• communicate to young people the worth and rights of all peoples • work towards protecting the rights of children, especially the right to education (contribution to Millennium Development Goal 2)

LEAD Programme’s role in educating the future generations. A personal view

RESPONSIBILITY

• communicate the benefits of science to younger generations

• work towards closing the scientific gap between societies

Leadership for Environment and Development

Inspiring leadership for a sustainable world

www.lead.org