The Isle of Man UNESCO Biosphere Reserve has launched a brand-new initiative in cooperation with Girlguiding, the UK’s largest charity for girls and young women: the UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man Badge.
It seeks to connect girls and young women with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, as they learn more about sustainability and tackle issues such as hunger, poverty, gender inequality and climate change.
It helps them to get in touch with nature, build long-lasting friendships, challenge themselves, take the lead, make a difference to the world around them, and develop the skills to become confident young women and socially and environmentally conscious citizens.
“The badge will encourage young members and leaders in our organisation to think about the world around them – to understand the meaning of ‘community’, get involved and make things better. If we can instill these thoughts and actions in our young people, it will make our Island and beyond a better place.” Karen Walker, Commissioner of Girlguiding Isle of Man.
Girls can gain the UNESCO Biosphere Badge by completing a set of challenges suited to their age and individual interests. From fundraising for the Island’s Food Bank to planting trees and cleaning beaches and footpaths – the challenges are varied and encourage the girls to think of innovative and creative ways to support the island’s biosphere.
Some girls set out to minimise hunger (SDG 2 Zero Hunger) by raising money to buy food and donate it to the Food Bank, and others fundraised for a toilet twinning to improve water quality (SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation). Other activities have included planting wildflowers in hand made recycled newspaper pots, visits from beekeepers’ groups and workshops with Manx Wildlife Trust (SDG 15 Life on Land).
“The Units have really embraced the challenge and they are starting to think about our Island in different ways.”
Su Simpson, Guiding Development Chair and Brownie Leader at Girlguiding Isle of Man
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