Children's Lands International

ANIA/Founder

ANIA -The Association for Children and their Environment (ANIA) is a non-profit, private association that was founded in Peru, in 1995. Its mission is to, “empower children and young people to nurture and protect Mother Earth and become responsible and caring citizens though their active participation in improving their environment”.

ANIA Founder - Joaquín F. Leguia was born in Peru in 1966 and holds a Bachelor degree in Science from Cornell University. In 1994, he earned a Master’s degree in Environmental Management from Yale’s School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. During this time he concentrated his studies in children’s involvement in community development and environmental care. Joaquín is currently the executive director of the Association for Children and their Environment (ANIA), a non-profit organization based in Lima, Peru which he founded in 1995 (www.mundodeania.org). The mission of ANIA is to empower children and young people to nurture and protect the Earth and become responsible and caring citizens though their active participation in improving their environment.

Joaquín has been widely recognized within the international community for his leading-edge vision and leadership. In 1998 Joaquín was named by Business Week as one of 25 young leaders of South America. ANIA received the National Environmental Education CAMBIE Award in 2004, and his work was published in National Geographic Explorer (Nov – Dec 2004 / USA) & National Geographic World (April 2005 / Germany). In 2003 Joaquin became an Ashoka Fellow (www.ashoka.org), and in 2007 was selected by the World Economic Forum as a Youth Global Leader. Peru’s Ministry of the Environment formally recognized Joaquín in 2009 for his contributions to environmental conservation in his country. In 2012, the Children’s Lands methodology was officially recognized by UNESCO as a best practice for education for sustainable development.

International Mandate

In order to ensure food security and protect the ecosystems that underpin human survival, radical changes are required with regard to how we use and view nature and its resources. Evidence shows that during childhood, fundamental values and attitudes are formed. Today we witness children growing up disassociated with nature. Because of this, the link between wellbeing and nature is cut.

The Children's Land Initiative reconnects young people to the natural environment. A Children’s Land is an area of land given by adults to children, where children learn how to collect seeds, propagate and plant useful native and multipurpose plants. Through hands-on practice and teamwork, children are instilled with a gratitude and appreciation for nature that they can apply to the wider world. On their land, children implement actions which will benefit: 1) themselves, 2) their families and other people, and 3) nature.

A Children’s Land can be implemented by all children, regardless of socio-economic status or cultural background. Children’s Lands exist in urban and rural areas, in homes, schools, neighborhoods and communities. Depending on its location and size, the Children’s Land can be a plant pot, a kitchen garden, a forest, mountain, lake or beach. The only requisite is that parents or community members officially give the land to the children.

ANIA's goal is to establish and inspire the creation of a new development index that acknowledges the essential contribution children make to the sustainable well being of society. In 2012, the Children’s Land methodology was officially recognized by UNESCO as a best practice for education for sustainable development.

Children’s Lands Around the World

Children's Lands is currently thriving in 10 countries throughout the world, with Canada being its newest member.

Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Canada, Japan, India and Scotland.