A Douglas High School student recently returned from a seminar in Washington D.C. where he attended the People to People International eighth annual Global Youth Forum.

Erich Hernandez, a junior a Douglas High School, stands with Mary Jean Eisenhower, President and CEO of People to People International at a convention in Washington D.C. where Hernandez was one of 200 students who took part in a forum devoted to Global Sustainability.

This year’s forum focused on the need to remember that there is only one planet earth and that the depletion of natural resources are harming the environment.

Each speaker reminded the students that no matter their career paths, they can contribute to a sustainable future.

Erich Hernandez, 16, a junior at DHS, has been involved in the People to People organization for three years.

Hernandez was one of more than 200 students ages 13-18 who took part in the forum, which was devoted to the theme “Global Sustainability: It’s All Connected.”  

GYF delegates are committed to PTPI’s mission of promoting international understanding and friendship among the world’s people, and arrived prepared to learn how they can work together with peers from around the world to create a better, brighter and greener future.

During the five day seminar, delegates worked through a curriculum that broadened their understanding of sustainability, learning how our choices as consumers have a global impact.

Hernandez said the purpose of People to People International is to enhance an international understanding and friendship through educational, cultural and humanitarian activities involving the exchange of ideas and experiences.

People to People has what they call student chapters which all contribute to various projects such as clean-up days and service projects all with one goal in mind: to one day achieve a vision of peace through understanding.

 “My first trip was when I went to Europe three years ago where I developed a strong sense of appreciation for the concept of the program,” he said.

Hernandez said a variety of speakers joined the delegates in Washington D.C. to share their expertise and talk about what it really meant to “go green.”

“They also talked about why our ozone layer is being decreased,” he said. “I really learned a lot from it.”

Hernandez says he’s always been involved in the environmental club at DHS and he says one of the things he’s learned how the little things can lead to big results in the end.

“People don’t realize the impact that can be made overall by doing a simple thing like turning off the lights when you’re not in a room,” he said.

Hernandez says he has developed a new appreciation for recycling and feels the world as a whole, is wasting a lot more than it should.

The DHS junior says the People to People program has become a big part of his life and he plans on continuing his quest for a future with peace.

“By doing so I will continue to travel with People to People on various missions such as Operation Iraqi Children, Young Generations (for college students), Peace Camp and my final GYF in Atlanta, Georgia in 2010,” he said. “This is something I strongly believe in.”