Eco-Citizen Programme : Urban Agriculture for Vulnerable Youth
an article by Marielza Cunha Horta

The city of Macaé is situated in the north of the state of Rio de Janeiro- Brazil, and has as its main economy the extraction of oil, which represents 85% of the national production.

The present population faces serious phenomena of environmental degradation and cultural and social exclusion.

In recent research done by the OEI - (Organização de Estados Iberoamericanos para a Educação, a Ciência e a Cultura), Macaé takes second place in violence in the state of Rio, with the biggest incidence of death of young people, between 15 and 24 years old, and the fifth in the entire country, with the record of 187 deaths of youngsters in a group 100.000 inhabitants.

The Eco Citizen Programme has been developing educational activities with young people of high social vulnerability living in areas of conflict and violence. The project stimulates critical thinking, shared responsability, and conscient and participative actions that can promote improvement in the quality of life.

Among the activities developed, we emphasize the practice of prevention and preservation on a day-by-day basis, such as urban agriculture through the planting of vegetable gardens and medicinal herbs which awakens new interests and perspectives for the youth.

Positive results can already be stated, the improvement of social relations between the groups involved, the learning of new understanding about nutrition, health, environmental quality and interest to plant, produce and consume healthy and nutritional food.

Further information on the Eco Citizen Programme may be found on our website at www.ecocidadao.com.br (in Portuguese).

DISCUSSION

Question(s) related to this article:

When you cultivate plants, do you cultivate peace?


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LATEST READER COMMENT:

My personal experience is that gardening is a amazing community builder.   When we had extra vegetables, my wife Donree used to put our extra veggies  in a  plastic bag and hang it on a neighbor’s door.  By the time our neighbor discovered the origin of their gift of some tomatoes or cucumbers they were so touched and grateful...for such a small gesture!  We initiated many friendships that way.

What is more amazing is the extraordinary level of comraderie that a community garden generates.  In each of our two community gardens, one in California and one in Connecicut, we made friends while admiring each other’s  flowers or local produce.  

I fondly remember getting a salsa recipe from a guy named Scott in California who was a high tech-hippie hybrid.  What made his salsa special was very sweet ripe cherry tomatoes.. . ...more.

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