1st. FED 2024 Ecological Toys Exhibition

Award and presentation of sustainable toys carried out by the boys and girls of the Lima Playgroups network.

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Lima, Peru The Education and Development Foundation of Spain, in collaboration with the Center for Social Responsibility (CURES) of the National University Federico Villareal, held the 1st Ecological Toys Exhibition on October 17 and 18. The event, which took place in the faculties of Industrial and Systems Engineering, and in the Faculty of Education of said university, stood out for promoting creativity and environmental awareness among the little ones. The exhibition was visited by more than 500 people, including university students, teachers, children, families and the general public, marking a notable success in its call.

The inauguration took place on the first day of the event at 10:00 hrs. and was attended by prominent university authorities, such as the Dr. Cristina Alzamora Rivero, rector of the Federico Villareal National University, who was accompanied by five deans of the institution. In addition, Dr. Zonia Geldres Benitos, head of CURES, and Carolina Suárez Pardo, member of the jury evaluating the toys presented, attended. Remotely, the president of the Education and Development Foundation of Spain, the Dr. José Luis Linaza Iglesias, shared some opening words, highlighting the importance of the event and extending special thanks to the rector for the support provided to this noble cause.

"Building My Ecological Toy" Contest

In his message, Dr. Linaza Iglesias emphasized the importance of fostering environmental awareness from an early age, highlighting the effort of the children from the Lima and Callao playgroups who participated in the "Building My Eco-Friendly Toy" contest. More than 2,300 children from eight districts took part in this contest, designing toys with recycled materials, supported by their parents and volunteer teachers. "We are planting the seed of a culture of respect and care for our planet from the earliest stages of life, a gesture we hope will inspire the adults of tomorrow," stated the president. The event also featured a vibrant performance of folk dances by the ensemble from the 24 de Junio district playgroup, filling the atmosphere with energy and cultural pride, and complementing the spirit of sustainability and creativity that defined the exhibition.

As part of the exhibition, the awards ceremony for the first "Building My Eco-Friendly Toy" contest was held, recognizing the children from the Santa Rosa Playgroup in the district of Comas as the winners of this inaugural edition. This contest was a clear example of how creativity and teamwork can bring sustainable and innovative projects to life. The awarded toys, which included houses, kitchens, cars, trucks, dolls, and bowling games, among others, were crafted using collected recycled materials.

Carolina Suárez Pardo, member of the jury, commented that choosing the winners was not easy due to the quality of the works presented. “These toys not only reflect great creativity and ingenuity, but also the commitment of children and their families to a cleaner and more sustainable world,” said Suárez Pardo.

Exhibition Spaces and University Participation

The exhibition was divided into interactive spaces where visitors could see up close 30 ecological toys, each with its history and production process. The university students who attended showed special interest in how, through collective work, great achievements can be achieved. Professors and academics from various faculties highlighted the importance of these spaces, stating that they raise awareness among both university students and participating families about the relevance of environmental care.

Among the attendees, the enthusiasm of the families stood out, who saw this exhibition as an educational and inspirational opportunity for their children. “It is important to show our children that they can do great things when given the space to create and learn. These toys are the reflection of a joint effort that involves creativity, ingenuity and commitment,” said one of the attending parents.

An Event of Great Impact on the Community

The 1st Ecological Toys Exhibition has marked a before and after in the promotion of sustainability and children's creativity. Beyond the exhibition, the event has sought to raise awareness among university students and the general public about the fundamental role that boys and girls play in protecting the environment. These types of activities allow educational institutions to get closer to communities, promoting values that are essential for sustainable development and the construction of a more conscious society.

Dr. Cristina Alzamora Rivero, rector of said university, expressed her satisfaction with the event, highlighting the importance of joint efforts between educational institutions and organizations such as the Education and Development Foundation of Spain. “The university has the responsibility of fostering a culture of social and environmental responsibility among our students, and this event has been an ideal opportunity to reaffirm that commitment,” declared the rector.

For her part, Dr. Zonia Geldres Benitos from CURES, organizer of the event, mentioned that the public's reception exceeded initial expectations and indicated interest in continuing to promote this type of activities in the future. Geldres Benitos added that the success of this first exhibition is a clear indicator that sustainability is a topic of interest and motivation for students and the university community in general.

Event result

In conclusion, the 1st Ecological Toys Exhibition has managed to consolidate itself as a space for learning and awareness, both for the participating boys and girls and for the students and teachers who attended. The union of creativity, sustainability and education has not only made this initiative possible, but has left an important mark on the community, reminding us that we all, from our childhood, have the ability and duty to contribute to the protection of our planet.

Education and Development Foundation

Mg. Javier Flores Tapia - General Coordinator of the Peruvian Playground Network

About us

We are a non-profit institution that defends children's right to play. For 30 years we have been generating and sustaining spaces and times in which play and the playful role of childhood are respected. We claim outdoor play spaces and promote environmental education that allows us to enjoy and care for nature.

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