VCV Kicking the habit!By the time you read this Copenhagen will be on. We all see big expectations and hopes in it. In order to achieve them we have to show that we care. The message is to do just what SCI does best: Get out, act and be the change! So what do we see? Lots of campaigns that are going on: introducing the big conference to people. People are out in the streets, yelling, dancing, singing, protesting, demanding, being creative, and being the sparkle that initiates something huge! And so does the Volunteers’ Centre of Vojvodina alias SCI Serbia. VCV joined several global campaigns recently. One of them took place on October 24th, internationally known as 350. Around 150 people joined us that day in Novi Sad on the Freedom square. Nobody cared about the rain and wind. We created an aerial image of the number 350, which is the maximum concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere in ppm units. All people gathered showed awareness of the issue. They will make others aware of it also and work on ‘kicking the bad habits’. The event has been archived by taking pictures from the cathedral that dominates over the square, which were forwarded to the provincial and state ministries of environment and to Serbian delegates at COP15 afterwards.
Age of Stupidity
The Age of Stupidity is the name of one of the latest documentaries on climate change and of another campaign facing the upcoming conference. The film follows 6 lives, 6 stories and 6 issues concerning climate change faced by the main characters every day. VCV managed to force the Serbian ministry of environment to pay for the rights to distribute the film and broadcast it to a wide audience. The premiere took place in Belgrade, after which VCV set up the premiere in Novi Sad on December 3rd. It was huge success, attended by more than 100 guests, consisting of students, professors, environmentalists, friends, and just people who care. It was impressive. We used this opportunity to present our delegates and mission to COP15 and to inform people about our campaigns.
Ride Planet Earth
Two guys from Australia started a journey to Copenhagen. On bikes! On their way they visited Novi Sad and were hosted by VCV. Their campaign is called ‘Ride Planet Earth’. It aims at promoting alternative transport and raise awareness about the need to lower our carbon footprint. VCV supported this campaign by organizing a biking trip on December 6th. Not somewhere in the country, a park or along a riverside, but on the main boulevard and the place with the heaviest traffic in Novi Sad! Volunteers and citizens have cycled 4 km along the boulevard that day, drawing a lot of attention. The whole event was followed by the signing of a petition demanding more cycling paths, special traffic lights for cyclists and more.
COP15 live!
The highlight will be on December 12th during a party with a special theme: ‘masks made of recycled materials’. However, the most innovative, outstanding and awesome of all is that there will be a direct tune in via a video link from our delegates in Copenhagen. This will give a perfect insight into everything that’s happening over there.
Ordinary people…
All the mentioned events included numerous recycle art workshops - making posters, bags, banners, paper and plastic dresses and much more. We are glad to be a part of all of this. That we are able to bring our message to the local level; to give ordinary people a possibility to get involved in global movements; and to provide them with a sense of responsibility and commitment, ‘cause we, ordinary people, responsible and committed we are!
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