New Acropolis celebrated Earth Week in Brazil. The theme “Unity Through Diversity” guided the activities promoted by New Acropolis, aligning with the historical perception of Earth as a living and maternal being.

Every year, New Acropolis volunteers promote various actions on International Mother Earth Day – April 22. This date was established by the United Nations with the aim of promoting environmental awareness and sustainable development worldwide.

Throughout Brazil, activities related to the theme were carried out in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. The main topics covered were: 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), 13 (Climate Action), and 14 (Life Below Water).

Practical actions in the search for Unity

Volunteers carried out the cleaning of the São José Fort waterfront and distributed seedlings in Macapá (AP), in the northern region of Brazil. In Belém (PA), they visited an exhibition on Amazonian diversity at the Emílio Goeldi Museum. In Manaus (AM) and Porto Velho, they gave lectures on the topic to the public.

The units in Natal (RN), in the northeast of Brazil, organized a series of lectures on the themes “Harmony between Earth and Human Nature,” “Symbolism of Mother Earth in Mythologies,” “Biological Cycles Aligned with Nature,” and “The History of Earth and the Different Phases of Our Planet,” as well as a trail in the City Park. Also in Rio Grande do Norte, the Assú school carried out various activities. Volunteers conducted a campaign to collect recyclable materials, cleaned up and planted seedlings in Recanto da Criança Square, as well as a workshop on flower arrangements with native flowers and leaves. The Philosophical Café on “Combatting Waste and Excessive Consumption” and the lecture on “Symbolism of the Elements of Nature: Earth, Water, Air, and Fire” concluded the activities.

In Fortaleza (CE), New Acropolis organized the exhibition “Integration with Nature” and the lecture “Unity: Interconnection with Nature.” Among the students, children and young people participated in ikebana and selective collection workshops, as well as planting seedlings. They also enjoyed the sunset at the Sabiaguaba Dunes. Also, students were able to participate in workshops and lectures on herbal medicine.

In Pernambuco, in the city of Caruaru, volunteers planted an ipê tree, a lush Brazilian tree known for its flowering. In Petrolina, activities to clean green areas and plantings on the city’s island were also promoted.

Celebrating Earth Week in the Midwest of Brazil

In Mato Grosso, various activities were also carried out. Rondonópolis students organized workshops on ecological bags with raw cotton and ecological coffee cups with bamboo fiber. In Cuiabá, volunteers planted grass and flower seedlings. Sinop volunteers cleaned the Trilha da Bica creek. In addition to these activities, the Sorriso, Barra do Graças, and Campo Novo do Parecis units also received lectures on the year’s theme.

In the Federal District, one of the first actions of the week was a night trail at the Israel Pinheiro Convention Center. The building is located on the shores of Lake Paranoá, and the trail was attended by students from various New Acropolis units in the Federal District.

Youths participating in the Children for Good Program from New Acropolis Lago Norte carried out an inspiring activity at Olhos d’Água Park. The Philharmonic Youth Orchestra resulting from the program was in Brazlândia, where it performed for students at the Oblatas Sisters School. The children participated in a workshop at the inauguration of Casa da Dona Minhoca. This project aims to product humus and it is coordinated by the Estrela de Belém social project.

At Águas Claras Park, more than 30 volunteers, including school students and the community, collected 32 bags of trash. At Canela de Ema Park, in Sobradinho, more than 30 students from various New Acropolis schools joined volunteers from the S.O.S Ribeirão Sobradinho and Guardians of Canela de Ema organizations to clean the river.

The actions in Brasília also had the support of the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama) and the Brasília Environmental Institute (Ibram) – public institutions managing the parks.

Celebrating with actions that lead to reflection

Throughout all activities, volunteers discussed the virtues that can be developed from a closer observation of nature, such as the Generosity of trees, which produce flowers and fruits without judging who or what they will serve; the Resilience of bamboo, which bends to certain needs but does not break, and returns to its state to continue growing; the Rhythm demonstrated by the rotation and translation movements of the Earth, which allow us to have defined days and nights, as well as seasons; the Simplicity of flowers, which express all their Beauty each in its own way, harmoniously; the Kindness of the Sun, which illuminates everything and everyone every day; and the Hope of birds, which fly despite the height and the possibility of falling.

“This year, with every action we take, we reflect on differences as riches and the connections that exist in the Unity we compose,” commented Giane Ribeiro, national secretary of Active Ecology of New Acropolis – Northern area.