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| Saturday, 1 May 2004 |
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Community dialogues on water and air pollution: USAID to support 'CLEAN' program in four cities The US agency for International Development (USAID) will support an innovative environmental awareness program "Citizen Led Environmental Awareness Network" (CLEAN) in four cities in Sri Lanka, states a US Embassy press release. By increasing public awareness, the CLEAN program seeks to directly involve communities in environmental protection, the release said. CLEAN was launched in Kandy, Kurunegala, Nuwara-Eliya and in Colombo yesterday. As part of the program schoolchildren in each city will take weekly measurements of ambient air quality, noise levels and water quality. CLEAN shares this information with the local community on prominently displayed billboards in the four participating cities. This data will be analysed, interpreted and presented to local community leaders to improve understanding of local pollution levels and to explain the impact of air, noise and water pollution on human health. The CLEAN program will also establish "Environmental Resource and Information Centres" in each participating city and conduct awareness programs for selected schools and communities. At the inauguration of the CLEAN program in Nuwara Eliya last week, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Jeffrey Lunstead said, "By sharing environmental measurements with local residents, the CLEAN program facilitates community dialogues about water and air pollution. Better education and understanding about environmental issues can help community members - from schoolchildren to leaders - continue to safeguard and improve the environment". Wayamba Integration for Growth and Sustainability, a technical non-governmental organization affiliated with the Industrial Service Bureau of the North Western Province, manages the CLEAN project with support from USAID/US-Asia Environmental Partnership, the Asia Foundation and the Institute of International Education (USA). USAID/US-Asia Environmental Partnership seeks to improve air and water quality in Sri Lankan cities while improving democratic institutions and processes that enhance sustainable economic growth. USAID/Sri Lanka works to improve democratic institutions and processes, promotes respect for human rights, and enhances economic growth and financial stability through market-oriented reforms. |
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