REGENCY TALKS

Last month we sat down with Regency’s Communications Manager, Spencer Bagley, to ask him about his experience at the organization and get a preview of some exciting projects that Regency has begun developing, such as Ukuna, an environmental education programme, and Global Cool TV, an initiative aimed at using the power of online social media to address global sustainability issues.

When did you first start working with Regency, and what are some of the things you’ve learned here?

I joined Regency in May 2008. In dealing with various corporations, organizations and individuals from all parts of the world I’ve learned that, despite all of our social and cultural differences, and despite all the political wrangling of governments, I believe that the whole truly is greater than the sum of its parts.

Whilst every individual should strive to make a difference in their own lives, and the lives of those around them, it is when we all work together with a common purpose that we can instigate fundamental changes in the mindsets of people... changes that are needed if we are to move towards a more sustainable way of life.

You’ve recently been appointed to head up the programme development for Regency’s Environmental Education Programme. Can you tell us a bit more about this?

All our goals for development and social progress are threatened by climate change. There is a belief that many of our current troubles, including the threat of global recession, can be solved by tackling climate change head-on. But while people’s attitudes to the environment evolves and while many businesses and organizations are rapidly moving to integrate environmental sustainability into their business models, we believe that such knee-jerk reactions will not be necessary if we focus on ‘prevention’. Our actions to shape a greener and more sustainable world should become second nature.

The focus of course should be on education. By teaching our children the importance of adopting environmental beliefs which enable them to evolve, innovate and respond to the challenges of climate change from an early age, we are nurturing the responsible citizens, pioneers and green industry leaders of the 21st century.

Building on Regency’s experience in implementing the classroom-based HIV/AIDS education programmed called HIV&ME, we will be targeting young South Africans between the ages of 13-16 years. The aim is to raise awareness of key environmental issues, develop an appreciation for these concerns, provide stimulating educational material, to encourage actions and behaviour change and to raise awareness of opportunities related to entrepreneurialism and ‘green jobs’.

How do you see Regency developing in the future, and what are some interesting projects on the horizon?

We will continue to facilitate partnerships between the United Nations and business, working together towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

Regency also plays an important role in educating young South Africans on the importance of prevention in HIV transmission as well as damage to the environment and our natural resources and we will aim to develop more projects on the ground.

And lastly, I see us developing into an international resource for educating a global audience on the challenges facing our planet. We’re currently developing an internet-based project called Global Cool tv which, in partnership with the corporate sector, will use creative, meaningful and evocative messages to create a movement of conscious behavior and positive change.