Emerging Student Leaders Are Identifying Solutions to Current Environmental Issues
Under the auspices of the U.S. Department of State, FHI 360 provided 66 European undergraduate students the opportunity to explore U.S. society, culture, and institutions as part of the Study of the U.S. Institute (SUSI) for Student Leaders from Europe Program. These 66 students were divided among three different institutes reflecting their selected areas of interest: Civic Engagement, Social Entrepreneurship, and Environmental Issues. Selected for their outstanding commitment to youth leadership, 22 participants traveled to the University of Oregon (UO) to learn the history of Environmental Issues in the United States and how citizen participation has shaped U.S. economic, social, and political history.
These 22 participants explored themes of Preservation vs. Conservation, Green Chemistry, U.S. Institutions and Community Leadership, and U.S and European Issues through leadership workshops, volunteer activities, classroom lectures, and group discussions over a five-week academic and cultural exchange.
Through carefully designed leadership workshops, these students explored a variety of skills, from the importance of teambuilding to good listening and how to engage local stakeholders. UO’s hometown of Eugene, Oregon is considered a leading-city in climate recovery with Mayor Kitty Piercy being invited to China to discuss her efforts in local community rights initiatives to advocate on behalf of environmental issues. Participants had opportunities to meet with Mayor Piercy and other advocates in the community to discuss legislative strategies, public trust doctrines, and human impact on waterways to understand innovate responses to environmental issues at the community, university, municipal, legislative, and spiritual levels.
The five-week program centered around a rigorous academic curriculum that included engaging in lively classroom discussions with current UO students and lecturers. Participants took their learning outside the classroom into the McKenzie River watershed for instruction, discussion, and reflection on how stakeholders impact and are impacted by this river, which is a critical source of drinking water and recreational activity for Willamette Valley residents. Throughout the academic program, the group identified and discussed the differences between preservation and conservation. They participated in a beach cleanup and discovered the wonders of Crater Lake National Park, where they saw, first-hand, efforts to curb human impact on the environment.
At the end of the program, the participants traveled to Washington, DC to participate in a Capstone Conference where they presented Social Impact Projects prepared during their program and engaged with other passionate emerging student leaders.
SUSI participants joined the staff and residents of the local Lost Valley permaculture farm for an overnight experience where they shared communal meals and assisted with preparing a future garden bed. Shown here, participants are listening to the history and principles of permaculture design and implementation. Photo credit: Logan Pasbeau
Willamette Valley, known for their wild blueberries, seemed like the perfect spot to take participants for a traditional day of berry picking. After just a few days, the participants embraced each other as if lifetime friends. Photo credit: Hakon Noren
Who doesn’t love a freshly picked blueberry or two?! Vigdis, from Iceland, inspects the blueberries to ensure the finest quality for her and her friends. Participants enjoyed having the opportunity to explore nature in a fun and delicious way! Photo credit: Hakon Noren
This story is part of the Study of the U.S. Institute for Student Leaders from Europe Program series. Please look for the Social Entrepreneurship Institute in our next newsletter!
