El Paso, U.S., February 17, 2011 (PAHO/WHO) – It is essential that
children and youth of the community have access to training opportunities in
leadership and teamwork, as well as plans and processes of organization and
coordination among government agencies, and private and community organizations
in general. Therefore, PAHO in collaboration with the networks of the Mexican Ecoclubes
and the International Ecoclubes organized the first
training workshop on leadership and teamwork structure for the members of the
Chamizal Ecoclub. This workshop took place on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th of March in Tays Community.
PURPOSE: To provide members of the Ecoclub the necessary tools to develop leadership and teamwork skills.
METHODOLOGY AND EXPECTED RESULTS: Joint participation between Ecoclub’s members, facilitators and trainers to produce a plan of action tailored to the needs of El Chamizal community.
PARTICIPATING INSTITUTIONS:
- Housing Authority of the City of El Paso, Texas
- Project Vida
- Chamizal Project
“Our communities face many challenges that can only be overcome when its members develop leadership skills, teamwork and cooperation with public and private organizations, all working with the same objective”, said Dr. Maria Teresa Cerqueira, Chief of the U.S.-Mexico Border Office PAHO/WHO.
“An Ecoclub stimulates the upbringing of children and youth so that they become leaders of actions and processes involving their families, neighbors and all those implicated in their community to solve problems and improve the quality of life.”
About Ecoclubs
An Ecoclub is an independent organization, directed and driven by the youth community. Promotes activities to improve the quality of life, contributes to the welfare of society, environmental preservation and a local sustainable development as well as training local leaders to identify, intervene and solve problems through active participation and involving the whole community: family, authorities, local and national organizations.
The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), through its U.S.-Mexico Border Office (USMBO), in early 2010, considered important and useful the shaping of Ecoclubs along the border, starting in the community of El Chamizal in El Paso, TX.
During the process, the members of the Ecoclub took their own decisions about what issues to address. The role of PAHO / WHO was to provide advice and with initial resources provided for work materials and other inputs identified as necessary for the initiation of activities.
Besides El Paso, Ecoclubs have also been formed in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico and Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Research demonstrates that the comprehensive development of human beings begins at birth; the concept of comprehensive development implies not only physical well-being but also emotional and psychological welfare. The healthy interaction between members of a community involves the development of behaviors, skills, commitments and actions from an early age. Harmonious development of a society must involve joint membership, with special emphasis on youth education.
RELATED LINKS
For more information please contact:
Lorely Ambriz, M.S.I.S, Knowledge Management & Communication Advisor
Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) / A Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO) United States-Mexico Border Office
5400 Suncrest Dr. Ste. C-4 El Paso, TX 79912
Office (915) 845-5950 Ext. 42523 / Cel (915) 449-3040 / Fax (915) 845-4361
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/ www.borderinfo.org / www.new.paho.org/fep