Charles Darwin University will compete for recognition in social responsibility at the International Green Gown Awards being held in the UK next month.
These prestigious awards recognise members of the UK and Australasian regions’ education sectors that are making a positive impact towards sustainability and are setting the standard for best practice.
CDU secured a spot in the international awards after winning the Social Responsibility category for its innovative Lakeside Drive Community Garden Project at the recent Australasian Green Gown Awards.
Other institutions competing in the same category included the University of Melbourne, Edith Cowan University and Engineers without Borders Australia.
CDU’s Manager of Community Engagement Nicole Manapol said the award acknowledged the leadership role the university played in sustainability within the Northern Territory, and tropical and desert environments worldwide.
“Based on permaculture principles, the project promotes sustainable communities by empowering local residents to address the impacts of climate change in their own back yard,” Ms Manapol said.
The garden supports knowledge exchange and innovative approaches to sustainability.
“It’s a great example of a living laboratory,” she said.
Through its educational outreach programs and collaborative partnerships the project has trained more than 1500 community members in sustainable food production and established 20 local primary and secondary school gardens.
Future plans for the project include providing consultancy services and training in food security, natural disaster mitigation, malnutrition and child and maternal health in remote NT communities and the wider Asia-Pacific region.
The International Green Gown Awards will be held on 5 November 2012 at The Great Hall, University of Birmingham.
For information about the CDU Lakeside Drive Community Garden project visit W: www.cdu.edu.au/ldcg/.