Clean Up the World

Clean Up the World Weekend, celebrated globally on the 3rd weekend in September, is the Campaign's flagship event, and draws on community involvement in actions to raise awareness about - and to address - environmental challenges. Clean Up the World encourages its "Members" to organise a "Clean Up" event on, or around, this annual weekend and to think of ways to engage the community in long-term environmental initiatives ("Fix Up" programmes) - depending on the needs of each community. (Those who register with Clean Up the World receive a Kit and access to various tools and resources - e.g., a poster for public display, volunteer certificates, a brochure, and a video designed to generate local interest and awareness in the campaign - to assist in implementing and promoting local Clean Up the World initiatives.) Each annual Weekend, there is a particular theme chosen, so as to draw attention to a specific environmental issue and to lend a focus to the planned activities. For example, in 2007, Clean Up the World is encouraging and supporting its Members to take action at a local level to help address the issue of climate change.

Along with Clean Up the World Weekend, Members are encouraged to undertake specific Clean Up events in support of other environmental campaigns, such as Earth Day (April 22), World Environment Day (June 5), World Habitat Day (October 2), 5 December International Volunteer Day (December 5). On these and other "Days", Members' campaign activities vary depending on the needs of the particular community, but examples include: recycling and resource recovery, tree planting, education campaigns, water reuse and conservation, competitions, and exhibitions.

Organised throughout the year, longer-term "Fix Up" projects are designed to help promote sustainable changes in community attitude and behaviour, encourage community participation in long-term practical activities, and can foster ongoing partnerships between government, businesses and community organisations.

Environment.

Organisers say that, by working together to improve the look and health of their living spaces, volunteers can have a positive impact on local trade and tourism, environmental awareness, restoration of wildlife habitats, and community pride. Visit the Case Studies page on the Clean Up the World website to read about particular examples of Clean Up the World actions - and to learn about some of the environmental improvements achieved due to the efforts of volunteers around the world through this initiative.