The excitement between American and Peruvian elementary students felt palpable on December 12th for an animated Live Class to share their visions of sustainable urban development. Through the curriculum, New Green Cities Worldwide, students from California and Peru stepped into the roles of architects, scientists, and environmental experts, reimagining their cities as greener, healthier, and more inclusive spaces. This cross-cultural collaboration highlighted the innovative spirit and shared commitment to addressing global challenges like climate change and urban inequality.
Students began the session by introducing their cities and presenting their strengths and areas for improvement. From bustling streets and diverse neighborhoods to challenges like air pollution, limited public spaces, and traffic congestion, participants painted a vivid picture of urban life in their countries. The discussion then turned to brainstorming solutions, with students leveraging their creativity to envision green cities prioritizing clean energy, affordable housing, accessible transportation, and vibrant green spaces.
The highlight of the session was the presentation of green city designs. Students showcased detailed maps and scale models illustrating how solar panels and wind turbines would power their cities. Accessible, public transport and bike lanes would reduce congestion while parks would serve as an oasis of clean air and community connection. Some groups went further, crafting catchy mottos to represent their green cities' identities, such as "Urbs Viridis in Aeternum" in Latin, which means “The Green City Forever” and sharing insightful messages such as "The Earth does not belong to us. We belong to the Earth."
Reflecting on the IVECA experience, a student from the USA shared, "My classmates loved reading your writings and projects. Besides learning that we have many things in common, such as sports, video games, that we like to spend time with our family, and listen to music. It is wonderful to be here today, to meet you all and learn about your new green cities." A Peruvian student added, “I would like to tell you that I am happy to have met you and to have conversed in a language different from mine, it is part of learning along my path and that I will continue to improve every day.”
The Live Class culminated in a shared sense of accomplishment and global solidarity. By working together to tackle real-world issues, these students revealed their passion and commitment to engaging in collective action for a brighter future. Through this session, IVECA continues to empower the next generation of global citizens to think critically, act responsibly, and build bridges across cultures for a healthier and more equitable world.