2021 Benefitting Society - Universidad del Norte - Colombia

2021 Benefitting Society - Universidad del Norte - Colombia

Creating sustainable and inclusive cities in times of Covid through a photography contest

The Ecocampus of the University of the North, is the program in charge of environmental education recognising the biodiversity of the territory. This project seeks to reconnect nature with citizens so that the latter recognize that their well-being depends on the conservation of ecosystems and that small actions have great value in terms of biodiversity. It has a high component of social awareness.

The annual photography contest is the flagship activity which has been running since 2014. Over the years, themes have included water and territory, resilience, human-nature relations, and invisible nature. Participants are invited to a field day to take pictures and talks are held on environmental milestones. Likewise, issues about disability have been included in the photography and the spaces have been adapted so that people with reduced mobility can participate in the activities.

The COVID-19 pandemic did not prevent this activity from taking place. In 2020, two versions of the Photo Marathon were held from the participants’ homes with a biodiversity theme that they could observe inside their houses and from their windows.

Top 3 learnings:

1. We are a benchmark in the Caribbean, and we must promote social mobilization around environmental issues.
2. Our initiative seeks to promote the conservation of ecosystems through the recognition that people have of the biodiversity of the region.
3. We recognize the importance of integrating different population groups in nature conservation and protection activities.  

Videos

• Video #1 (click to hide)