For the International Day for Biological Diversity, Navdanya International hosted the second annual Biodiversity Festival—a vibrant morning dedicated to ecological education and care for the Earth, organized in collaboration with ArtiCulturae Farmers’ Market.
This year’s festival was the culmination of months of hands-on learning, during which more than 165 young people participated in immersive activities exploring biodiversity, the importance of water as a common good, agroecology, and local food systems. These projects offered meaningful opportunities to connect with the land, understand the links between soil, landscape, and community, and experience ecological justice in action through participatory practices and direct engagement with their environment.
The day began with a warm welcome and group activities designed to spark curiosity about the environment and biodiversity. This was followed by a special ceremony to recognize participants’ achievements, and an exhibition of creative works, educational materials, and posters produced throughout the year. The display gave the wider community a window into the journeys and discoveries made by the youth.
The morning wrapped up with a shared picnic featuring fresh, local products from the market, creating a joyful space for conversation and exchange among young people, families, teachers, farmers, and organizers.
On this occasion, Navdanya International also premiered a short film which documents the transformative learning journey of the project „Biodiversity is Life“—highlighting the power of collective action for biodiversity, agroecology, and stewardship of the land.
The film captures the spirit and impact of an experience that goes far beyond classroom learning. Through powerful visuals and personal stories, it documents everything from ecosystem observation and sustainable farming practices to creative workshops and collective experiences—underscoring the vital role of young people as stewards of ecological knowledge, bridging tradition and innovation.
By placing youth at the heart of these educational pathways, we nurture a deeper awareness, stronger relationships, and a sense of belonging rooted in the local territory. Young people are not just learners, but active agents of change, helping to regenerate both ecosystems and communities.
In a time of profound ecological and social challenges, education for biodiversity is essential for imagining and building alternative futures—where people, cultures, and ecosystems thrive together in balance and reciprocity. These experiences strengthen the bonds between communities and their land, and foster a new culture of shared responsibility for the Earth.
This initiative was made possible thanks to the support of UBI Ecologia, 8×1000 Unione Buddhista Italiana, Otto per Mille Valdese, and 8×1000 Unione Induista Italiana.
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