Brussels, 04/01/2002 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 11 January, the Directorate General for the Environment at the European Commission will open its doors to groups of children aged between 8 and 13 and offer them a number of activities focusing on the environment. The programme will include videos on five environmental subjects: waste, water, transport, noise, and nature in an urban environment. As well as a debate on the environmental problems in the city linked to air pollution and noise, there will be interactive workshops on noise, a concert in which the musicians will play instruments made from recycled materials and a play on the state of the planet, which will be performed by children for children.
Margot Wallström, Commissioner for the Environment will present the children with new publications for children, videos and the DG Environment website, as well as answering questions from children and journalists at a press conference.
The 11 January focuses on the environment for children and forms part of the Environment Directorate General's communication strategy for reaching young people in the European Union, who are seen as both a key to changing behaviour and a catalyst for actions to protect the environment. This open day is the last in a series of information sessions and activities raising awareness among young people about the environmental challenges confronting the Community.