New Delhi:  Panasonic Corporation and UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre announced the Youth Education Strategic Partnership agreement to promote environmental education for the next generation. Under this two year agreement, Panasonic and the World Heritage Centre will undertake communication and educational activities promoting the Eco Learning Program and Eco Picture Diary Program for the development of the next generation at World Heritage sites and raise awareness of the 40th anniversary of UNESCO’s World Heritage Convention. The program was introduced in India after being successfully initiated in Brazil, Indonesia, Japan, UAE and UK. Panasonic will subsequently initiate this program at World Heritage sites in 12 countries in total including Russia, Tanzania, Nigeria, Egypt, Peru and Turkey, aiming to engage approximately 4,000 children to the program by the end of 2012.

Under the World Heritage Environmental Learning Program for India, school students will be taken to Keoladeo National Park near Bharatpur in Rajasthan. This national park is a 29 sq km paradise of water birds which is mostly freshwater swamp located in Rajasthan in the north of India. It was formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. There are about 350 kinds of birds that can be observed in this park. Visiting migratory birds are seen from Central Asia and Siberia and there are also many endangered species living in this park. The program will witness 420 participants from three schools – John Milton Public School, DPS Mathura Refinery and St. Vivekananda Public School from Agra. The schedule for 400 participants involves program presentation and discussion, an Eco Learning period, collection of Eco Picture Diaries and the selection of the India contest winner. During the course of the program at the heritage site, there will also be a 3D shoot of the World Heritage and the program with a Panasonic AG-3DA1, the integrated twin-lens FULL HD 3D camera recorder. The World Heritage Eco Learning Program in India will take place from October 7, 2011 till October 10, 2011.

“Panasonic, as an environment conscious organization not only develops eco friendly products but also technologies embedded with “Eco ideas” which provides solutions to make everyday home and business life simpler, more convenient and energy efficient. We are committed to cultivating an Eco Brand with strong roots in India and preserving the cultural and natural heritage sites of this country. That is why we are conducting the World Heritage Environmental Learning Program with school students” said Mr. Daizo Ito, President of Panasonic India. He further added that, “By putting environment at the core of every part of its business, Panasonic is combining its environmental contributions with business growth. Under our global eco ideas program we encourage customers to live eco-conscious lifestyles with an aim to reduce CO2 emissions in households and manufacturing units.”

Speaking on the agreement, Eco Brand Ambassador, Ms. Dia Mirza said, “I am very happy to be a part of Panasonic’s Eco Ideas initiative to bring about a healthier future. The lead role that Panasonic has undertaken through this activity under the agreement with UNESCO to encourage the learning program is commendable. Panasonic is doing its part to make the environmental future brighter for everyone by planting the seed of environmental awareness in children’s hearts.”

Panasonic aims to be the “No. 1 Green Innovation Company in the Electronics Industry” by 2018, its 100th anniversary. As part of its active contribution to environmental conservation, Panasonic has collaborated with the World Heritage Centre since 1995 to publish the World Heritage Calendar. The Centre is the Secretariat of the World Heritage Convention which leads the efforts to preserve cultural and natural heritage sites of outstanding universal value for future generations. The newly formed strategic partnership strengthens the relationship built on this successful collaboration over the years.