ASIA

The Environmental Diary programme is an annual project organised by Green Cross Japan. Now in its eighth year, over 400,000 children have completed the Environmental Diary programme and it has now been expanded to schools in Sri Lanka. By reporting their day's environmental impact, each child learns about his or her place in the ecosystem and also establishes positive behaviour regarding such matters as water conservation or rubbish recycling.
To recognise their efforts, GC Japan hosts an awards ceremony for the children who produce exceptional diaries. In 2006, GC Japan honoured 200 individuals, who received certificates and a chance to participate in the Asian Children's Ecology Symposium. Two children who participated in the diary programme from Sri Lanka were also honoured in the ceremony.

In 2007, Green Cross Japan demonstrated their continued commitment to environmental education for young people with an interactive website called "Exploring the Forest" www.sato-sato.jp . The website aims to teach children about the diverse features of forests - their history, fairytales, bio-diversity, and the forest's symbiotic relationship with people, as well as the implied ecological issues that this entails. The production of the website has been wholly funded by the Ministry of Education and Science's "Child Dream Fund".

On the occasion of Earth Day, 22 April, Green Cross Pakistan organises its annual "Green Signatures Campaign". Through this awareness campaign, signatures are collected from students at schools, colleges and universities, who declare their commitment to protect nature from unhealthy activities and adopt a more sustainable way of living. Signatures are then sent to public departments engaged in environmental protection activities, and UNEP and UNDP offices, to encourage them to take action accordingly.In 2007, the goal of reaching 10,000 signatures was achieved.