Reykjavík City & SEEDS Green Days 2009

WORK/PROJECT: SEEDS volunteers in this project will be part of the Reykjavík City & SEEDS Green Days in the Icelandic capital! This project focuses on raising awareness among participants, local citizens, organisations, authorities and other urban actors to improve the environment's quality and our use of resources by changes in behaviour.

The project will last for 2 weeks: in the first week, the group will prepare the public open campaigns and activities for the second week. Examples of the actions include theater plays in the streets of the city, critical masses, presentations, workshops, invitation of guest experts and lecturers, etc. Diverse issues will be of focus: Climate change, waste management, responsible consumption, energy dependance, transportation and “My Reykjavík”.

Apart from raising awareness, the activities will provide citizens with information and exchange opportunities about the current and future of global environmental affairs. It will be an education initiative that encourages all to take steps towards becoming more environmentally-responsible.

SEEDS runs the project with the support of the city of Reykjavík, the cooperation of GAIA (Students in Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Iceland) and VAKTIN (a local grassroot organisation working to enhance the look and feel of Reykjavík).

Volunteers shall be prepared for flexible time schedule (like for evening & weekend campaigns). Additional work performed by the volunteers may be done for the city of Reykjavík; working on the public recreational areas of town; and it would include the green areas and parks of the city.

ACCOMMODATION: Volunteers will stay at local school; volunteers will sleep on mattresses on the floor and shall bring a warm sleeping bag. Food ingredients will be provided and a kitchen will be available, volunteers will share the duties of preparing and cooking meals.

LOCATION: Reykjavík*, the Icelandic capital, has been called Europe’s hottest capital. Slick advertising campaigns have championed the city’s famed nightlife. But there is more to Reykjavik than pubs and clubs. Reykjavík held the prestigious title European City of Culture in the year 2000; a welcome recognition of the energetic and colourful cultural life of the capital.

The world’s northernmost capital bridges the Atlantic, between Europe and North America, is framed by the majestic Mt. Esja and the blue waters of Faxaflói Bay. The population of the city is about 115,000 (40% of Iceland’s population) in the metropolitan area and 180,000 (60% of Iceland’s inhabitants) including its suburbs. It is growing steadily and 45% is younger than 30 years old; 83,1% of men and women aged 16-74 are active on the labour market. Reykjavík is a dynamic, modern city in harmony with beautiful nature, using renewable energy sources, geothermal power and glacial rivers. It is an International city with a lively Cosmopolitan cultural scene.

Visitors to Reykjavik experience easily the pure energy at the heart of Iceland's capital city - whether from the boiling thermal energy underground, the natural green energy within the city and around it, or the lively culture and fun-filled nightlife. Reykjavik is spread across a peninsula with a panoramic view of the mountains and the Atlantic Ocean on almost all sides. In the summer, you can sit by the harbour at midnight and watch the sun dip slightly below the horizon before it makes its way up again.

LANGUAGE: English will be the official language in the camp; high proficiency is not a requirement.

STUDY THEME: Environmental messenger in the project. S/he will be in charge of delivering ecological and global education messages to International volunteers and to facilitate the preparation of the different campaigns.

TERMINAL: Closest international Airport: Keflavík (Reykjavík), KEF. Closest bus station in town.

EXTRAS: Participation fee EUR160. SEEDS will provide volunteers with passes to access free of charge the city’s seven geothermal swimming pools and beach. Volunteers will have the chance to live at the northernmost capital in the world and one of the smallest!

* The name Reykjavík means “smoky bay”: Given by the first settlers that arrived to the area due to the high geothermal activity and the constant rise of steam out of the hot springs around.