Government Office for London Annual Review 2001-2002 | Download the Complete Review in PDF Format here
A Play for Tomorrow
In a multi-racial, multi-faith and multi-cultural city like London, how do you get the vital messages of sustainability across to everyone?
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(Students participating in discussion around the new play in community languages) |
This was the question that GOL were faced with and, in creating a partnership with the boroughs of Brent, Haringey and Enfield, we found an answer that was not only educational, but entertaining. In order to explain and promote sustainable development across a diverse audience, especially amongst ethnic minorities whose first language is not English, we turned to the stage. With funding from the DEFRA Sustainable Development Publicity budget, a new play in community languages was devised. Particularly geared towards the perspective of young people it would deal with the issues and themes of the 'Are You Doing Your Bit?' campaign, which was launched in 1998 to try and communicate elements of sustainable development to people across Britain. |
With the assistance of a professional production director and 'Going for Green', members of the community groups helped plot the storyline and write the script. Local volunteers in the partner boroughs became the actors and actresses, and the completed play was translated into a number of different languages, so as to reach every section of the community.
The launch, at Alperton Community School in February, was a huge success. One of many highlights of the play was when a group of six girls from Y10 performed two magnificent dances, against a beautiful backdrop of a coloured sculpture made from recycled materials. Organised as the 'What's it worth?' project, the play is now being used by all three boroughs in community centres, luncheon clubs, day centres, mosques and ethnic language classes. The core script is available to other London boroughs.
Public involvement is essential for a truly sustainable community, and everybody has a role to play in making sustainable development a reality of everyday life.
With this play, community members who are frequently excluded from awareness-raising media are involved and informed. Not only this, but it offers young people - whose future quality of life depends upon achieving the aims of sustainable development - the excitement of performing on stage for the first time and volunteering their skills to for the good of the community.
For more information about the play, including pictures and video, visit www.whatsitworth21.com
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London produces less household waster per person
per year than any other region in England (475kg per person). In 2000 London boroughs collected 4.4million tonnes
of waste; 71% was land filled; 9% was recycled and 20% was incinerated. More than 47,000 complaints about noisy neighbours
were made to London boroughs in the year 2000/2001. |
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