Develop capacity and leadership

Development of Leadership starts with the individual and their motivation and capacity to question, learn, participate and engage.

Leadership occurs when the desire to learn, act and engage others to follow becomes a natural part of life that is underpinned by values, beliefs and an incentive to change. This is the difference between starting to recycle your waste because it is the easiest thing to do since rubbish collections went fortnightly, and independently being concerned about our waste and wanting to do something about it. This could lead you to learn and participate more and more in recycling, reuse, and waste prevention activities whilst encouraging others in your communities to do the same.

From here leadership can take many forms from engaging others, helping a stranger, volunteering in the community or becoming active in politics, whether it is debating local issues, protesting in a march, or voting for what you believe in.

Leadership is also about recognising who is best placed to lead whether it is the government, community leaders or inspiring individuals. The Eco-Schools approach for example places leadership firmly with a student committee rather than the teachers of the school.

Most importantly leadership does not exist without the trust, understanding and support of others.

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