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Under a clear blue
sky, school sports days are officially opened with an athletes'declaration
that unites and encourages all the participants. ?
We, who enjoy taking part in sports, promise to challenge ourselves
to protect our environment and fulfill our potential in the true
spirit of fair play. ?
Although the athletes'declaration has become something of an anachronism
these days, a few words (such as those written above) that increase
environmental awareness among the children and guardians taking
part, can give it new meaning and relevance. This message, while
flying the Ecoflag ?UNEP's symbol on Sports and Environment, can
be an effective part of the children's environmental education.
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An important reason for this is that while enjoying sports we can
appreciate the value and importance of the environment around us,
and its important elements such as clean air and water. Accordingly
we realize the need to respect all the diverse forms of life on
earth that interact to maintain the global environment, and develop
a society that doesn't just consume and destroy this biodiversity.
Instead, we should produce goods that have high value from applying
human creativity and skill but have a low impact on the earth's
precious energy and resources. ?
Flying the Ecoflag on sports day provides a valuable lesson for
children. It can also be an important first steps for those who
may want to go on to take part in the 6th UNEP International Children's
Conference on the Environment (ICC) in Japan in 2005. The Ecoflag
fund is currently collecting donations to help support that conference.
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