STUDENTS GATHER IN BEIJING FOR START OF GREEN LONG MARCH 2009April 2, 2009

The Green Long March (GLM) National Training Conference began this afternoon at Beijing Forestry University (BFU). Dozens of students from across China have traveled to Beijing to take part in the five-day conference on the environment and the Opening Ceremony, which will take place on Saturday, April 4th. Students arrived at BFU today and listened to opening words from leaders of Future Generations China and Beijing Forestry University. The theme of the 2009 GLM is energy (renewables and energy efficiency) and the leaders emphasized the importance of finding and implementing concrete solutions to China's energy and climate challenges through their work at the grassroots level.

Over the next four days, students will receive training in how to conduct a case study and record information along their routes. They will attend lectures on China's environmental challenges from leading experts in the field and take part in hands-on workshops designed to encourage students to think creatively about how to organize effective environmental campaigns and engage with communities.

Many of the student leaders are here for a the third time but for others this is their first opportunity to come to Beijing for the conference. The GLM student leaders, old and new, are excited to meet each other, share information and learn from experts on how they can achieve greater impact during this year's Green Long March.

We will be updating this site daily with reports and photographs from the conference and the Opening Ceremony, so stay with us and check back often!

Training Photos: