We also intend to reach people through our environmental citizenship programme, which aims to improve general environmental literacy as a means of unleashing the energy and creativity of people in their communities all around the world. Its cornerstone is partnerships with international, regional, national and community-based organizations. It has been designed essentially as a guide to enable ordinary citizens and communities to overcome obstacles to environmental protection by providing basic facts about the environment, demonstrating how these problems are interrelated, proposing alternative solutions based on the best information available and suggesting how individuals and groups can participate in achieving sustainable solutions. The issue of disseminating information on environmental problems looms large and seems to dwarf the resources available to address it effectively. Social and economic issues compete for attention and scarce funds.
Partnerships are the only answer.
The IOC has adopted environment as the third pillar of its charter. And, with the help of British Airways, a path-breaking International Children's Conference on the Environment was held in Eastbourne, United Kingdom last year. Information is not only about innovative technologies and gaining access to the World Wide Web, which very few people in the developing world can yet achieve. We also need to use established channels for disseminating information to those who have no access to the Internet and cannot pay for it. Let us not forget that the ultimate power to bring change rests with the people.