Celebrating IYB, the UPOU’s way!

When the United Nations (UN) proclaimed 2010 to be the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB) and called on everyone to work together in safeguarding our planet’s biodiversity, the Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS) of UP Open University heeded this call. The FMDS recognizes the need for environmental advocacy and programs that will help safeguard the environment and our biodiversity. Thus, the FMDS-UPOU Committee on International Year of Biodiversity was formed to plan and implement activities that will help in conserving our biodiversity. The creation of the IYB committee reinforces UPOU’s commitment to help address environmental issues and challenges. The committee believes that by stirring people’s awareness on biodiversity, the web of life is preserved and safeguarded. As the slogan of UN’s 2010 IYB goes Biodiversity is life, Biodiversity is our life, UPOU believes that through the activities it has implemented, a seed of life was already planted in each individual.

The FMDS-UPOU Committee on IYB spearheaded several activities in celebration of the IYB. A tree-planting activity in June 2010 kicked-off the celebration. This was followed by fora on taxonomy and food from our biodiversity. A food festival showcasing native foods was also held. The committee also held film showings of documentaries about the current state of our environment. The highlight of the celebration was the school caravans to three schools in the nearby communities of UPOU which aimed to promote awareness among school children and in developing “Earth Ambassadors”. The celebration culminated through a convention of “Earth Ambassadors” and closing program held at the UPOU Headquarters.