Elements of SAVE 行動要素

Survey – to find out what children know, where they learn about and how they feel about air pollution;
全面觀察 ─ 審視兒童們對空氣污染認識程度，怎樣認識和體驗空氣污染。

Academic/Action – to teach children about air pollution and engage them in thinking critically about air pollution through lessons and activities integrated into the school curricula, and develop steps to measure and protect children from the effects of air pollution;
學術方面 / 務實行動 ─ 教導兒童有關空氣污染事宜；透過配合學校課程的學習及活動，讓他們參與思考議題和評論，制定有關之保護步驟及計劃。

Voice – to enable children to voice themselves about air pollution to their families and communities
表達意見 ─ 使兒童們能夠向家人及社區表達他們對空氣污染的見解。

Education – for the children to teach the public about air pollution and its effects on health
教育 ─ 讓兒童們教導市民大眾空氣污染對健康的影響。



Our approach
In line with CWS’ programmes in Nepal, SAVE is apolitical, grassroots, and sustainable.

Our campaign is politically neutral. The education we aim to deliver is credible, and reaches out to all people regardless of political belief, because it is objective.

Our campaign takes a grassroots approach, beginning with the integration of the air pollution issue into school curricula. In the long-term, it is our belief that integrating air pollution discussion into the school curricula will be the first step in bringing that discussion into the homes and lives of the people of Hong Kong. As that discussion and thought spreads and continues, it will enhance the search and achievement for long-term solutions to the problem of air pollution in Hong Kong.

There are two facets to sustainability in our campaign. First, the solutions that we are working towards must be sustainable in the long-term. Secondly, the campaign itself must also have sustainable elements, that will enable it to eventually take a life of its own beyond the limits of CWS expertise and sponsorship support. Insofar as the integration into school curricula is concerned, we believe sustainability can be achieved in the short- or medium-term. As to the other elements of our campaign, our aim is to eventually have them taken up by those who are interested in taking them up, and assisting in matching them to supporters, sponsoring or otherwise.

The element of choice plays a significant role in our campaign. In the search for, and achievement of, solutions that will be sustainable and prove to be long-lasting, it is important to actively explore all forms of solution in respect of air pollution. The notion of ‘cost-benefit’ in respect of air pollution and health means that the idea of alternative and short-term protection measures have largely been overlooked. By focusing on solutions that may have immediate preventative effects, such as the use of facemasks or filters, our aim is to engage critical thought about solutions to the problem of air pollution that are practical and effective – the ultimate solution being the reduction of air pollution in Hong Kong.

The idea of alternative solutions is also significant. It is important not only to inform people of the adverse health effects of air pollution, but to provide tools that can immediately assist in mitigating those effects. By providing solutions that are somewhat effective in the short-term, we hope to demonstrate to children and to the public that they have the power to address the problem of air pollution, and thus to inspire long-term solutions.





Survey
The first element of the campaign is to survey students at school to find out how much they know and care about air pollution. The aim is to engage critical thought and measure the output of the campaign as a change from before the campaign to after.

Academic / Action
The second element of the campaign is an injection of knowledge and activities on air pollution into the school setting, aimed at generating critical thinking and outputs about air pollution by the students.

Rather than to add lessons into school curricula on air pollution as a distinct topic that is grafted on to existing teaching requirements, material on air pollution will be fit in with existing teaching requirements, adding an air pollution context or dimension to bring the discussion into the classrooms without burdening teachers and students with additional workload. In order to deepen the learning process for students, practical exercises will be incorporated as far as possible.

Schools will also be engaged with investigation into and employment of means to protect children against the health effects of air pollution in the school and other settings. As an extension of the academic activities, particularly the practical exercises, a number of wider activities will be incorporated to partner the participating schools with SAVE’s academic partners to engage in further critical thinking and action plans about air pollution.

Voice
The third element of the campaign is to provide a platform for the output of students on air pollution to their families and communities.

Educate
The fourth element of the campaign is to allow students to teach the public what they have learned, by providing a platform beyond the confines of school in order to enable students to reach out to Hong Kong’s society with their knowledge.