I recently had the privilege of visiting Bolivia under exceptional circumstances. I was able to meet a wide variety of people who have been involved in transforming the politics of their country. Under President Evo Morales and the democratically created Plurinational Constitution they are building an inclusive society with a positive attitude towards environmental sustainabilty that is a model for the world.

As in many rapidly changing societies there is a big challenge to ensure continuity between the values and of the people who have created the new possibilities and the new generation that is benefitting from their achievements. I was impressed by a group of young people from rural communities in the city of Cochabamba who want to address this challenge.

OJUDERMA is the youth section of an association of irrigation farmers. It has a project to provide education and training in environmental sustainability and climate change for students from rural communities in the Department of Cochabamba, Bolivia, who are studying at the public university in the city of Cochabamba. It will enable them to contribute to the wellbeing and development of their communities of origin.

A training and education programme covering the serious problems of climate change and wáter supply that are being faced includes visits to projects, seminars and conferences in Bolivia, and a video conferencing exchange with the Centre for Alternative Technology, Wales. Donations will provide internet facilities for the project.

The problem of climate change is a result of economic growth in the wealthy countries of the world. They have a responsibility to help those in poor and exploited countries whose livelihoods are being directly affected by drought, floods and storm, in far more drastic ways than for us. If our governments are slow to act we must do everything we can ourselves. In this way we shall also become more knowledgable in our efforts to persuade governments