Youngsters have been recruited in the capital city to help pitch in on "green" efforts for the 2008 Olympic Games.

In an initiative to promote environmental protection, especially saving water, students in Beijing have been organized by the Environmental Activity Department of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG), along with worldwide Olympic partner Coca-Cola and the city's environmental protection authorities.

As part of the plan, which was launched last Wednesday, a water-saving campaign will involve students from more than 1,000 primary schools in the city this year.

"Promoting the idea of environmental protection among school children is of great meaning since it is important for those youngsters to form good practices from their childhood," said Yu Xiaoxuan, director of the BOCOG Environmental Activity Department.

"(But) such practices are not only for the kids, but also for society. If they learn to protect the environment consciously while they're young, they will carry such good actions into their future lives."

Student representatives will post water conservation leaflets given to them by Games' organizers at every corner of their schools to remind others to conserve water resources.

According to the organizers, education kits on environmental protection will be distributed to local schools, as well.

Students were encouraged to transmit the message to family members and friends.

Organized by BOCOG, the group of "Green Olympics, Green Action" was set up in 2004.

With He Zhenliang, chairman of the Culture and Olympic Education Commission of the International Olympic Committee, as general consultant, the promotional group has been holding lectures on environmental issues like sustainability and conservation.

According to Yu, group members gave about 180 lectures last year, heard by a total of more than 70,000 people.

"Our promotional group has involved officials, professors and experts from relevant departments, universities and research institutes," Yu said.

"Holding the lectures among school students and social organizations, we have built an effective promotional network in Beijing."

In addition to the recently launched water-saving campaign among primary schools, a nationwide painting contest among school children themed "Green Dreams, Colourful Olympics" began in Beijing on April 25.

Students are encouraged to submit their paintings of the Olympic Games as they feel the event in their own hearts by the early July deadline.

According to organizers, the awarded works will be used to beautify the construction sites of Olympic projects and decorate athletes' rooms in the Olympic Village.

From May 8 to next Tuesday, organizations and individuals participating in the contest will have a chance to exchange their wastepaper and books for recycled environmentally friendly paper on which to paint their artwork.

Last year, BOCOG held a similar contest in Beijing, attracting more than 2,000 participants from up to 100 primary and secondary schools, with 210 paintings given awards.

At the same time, an environment-related digital image contest among campus students as well as a series of film and photo shows and lectures will also be held.

"Promoting the idea of environmental protection is not only a governmental affair," Yu said. "All people should pay attention to it everywhere and at any time."

(China Daily 05/19/2006 page5)