World Migratory Bird Day Educational Events in Pereira, Colombia

The Liceo Taller San Miguel organized educational activities in various schools and universities to mark World Migratory Bird Day 2016 and to raise awareness about the importance of migratory birds. More than 1,000 pupils from five schools, and students from three universities participated in various events and celebrations.

The Liceo Taller San Miguel – a primary school in Pereira, Colombia – extended this year’s World Migratory Bird Day celebrations to two weeks. Students from the Liceo Taller San Miguel visited other schools and universities to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day together. Crafting bird masks and simulating bird flights as well as screenings of documentaries to educate children about bird migration across continents, were some of the activities.

Educating the young is crucial to making future generations aware of environmental issues and the important role human beings play. Luz Stella Tisnés Ocampo, a teacher at Liceo Taller San Miguel and organiser of World Migratory Bird Day events said: “The fact that campaign materials are coming from Germany, on the other side of the planet, made children realise the global scope of conservation. Participating in a campaign that is run by international environmental treaties such as CMS and AEWA, increases the commitment and helps reach out to a broad audience.”

Despite a new environmental protection law in Colombia, wildlife trafficking remains a huge problem. The Environmental and Ecological Police of Colombia (Policía Ambiental y Ecológica) and the Association for the Protection of Animals and Plants (Asociación Protectora de Animales y Plantas) of Pereira provided appropriate bird habitat at the school and assigned the responsibility to the pupils to protect certain bird species. This project helped to create a better understanding of conservation issues.

The Liceo Taller San Miguel follows a humanistic approach; creativity, ethics as well as environmental projects are at the centre of its educational programme. The school has received various ecology awards at national and international level for its environmental protection efforts.

Several independent ecological groups and humane societies also participated in the two weeks of World Migratory Bird Day. Every year, large shopping centres in Pereira support the school by offering space to display World Migratory Bird Day material. Having been involved in the campaign since 2010, the Liceo Taller San Miguel provides an important contribution to World Migratory Bird Day.