Global Forum for Sports and Environment
NPO Aichi Prefecture Orienteering Association Sport is a medium through which we can come into close contact and develop a deeper appreciation of the environment. NPO Aichi Prefecture Orienteering Association aims to promote the sport of orienteering, which is, as yet, little known in Asia and give runners a better understanding of the need to protect our environment. Orienteering is a worldwide sport that tracks through the heart of nature and as such, the environment has always been a central feature of the sport. Orienteering has always taken place with consideration given to the environment, but a specific level of importance has never been established. The Aichi Prefecture Orienteering Association however, have placed "Environment" as the main concept of the competition, taking runners to a new levels of awareness. The organization has succeeded in bringing the "2005 World Orienteering Championships" to Japan, making it the first time it will be held in Asia, and as a pre-event, sponsored a 3-day orienteering competition this year. The focus of the competition was the environment and the goal, to increase awareness among participants. In addition to the 3 R's (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), a fourth R - Reaction, was added to the fundamental concept: Reaction carries the message that we need persistent action in order to have a significant impact on the problems facing the global environment. Some of the general measures implemented at the event were restrictions on personal car use, taking home garbage, utilizing rentals, promoting the reuse of resources, actively separating garbage and the use of easy-to-process materials. The "ECOFLAG" (www.ecoflag.com) was also adopted as a symbol of the commitment of athlete's everywhere to increasing environmental awareness and action. Finally, a survey was conducted among participants to further understand the current level of consciousness among runners and to provoke interest. The organization has already achieved tremendous results, and as a co-sponsor to the "EXPO 2005 Aichi, Japan" is developing a high profile in the promotion of the sport of orienteering as well as environmental protection .  |