In the Hyundai tradition of giving back to the community, 40 Hyundai scholars from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) expressed full support for HARI Foundation, Inc.'s (HFI) advocacy to promote environmental awareness across the country by becoming part-time “Hyundai Eco-Teachers.”

Hyundai’s Eco-Teaching program is inspired by HFI’s long-time partnership with HARIBON Foundation to drive eco-consciousness and biodiversity nationwide via the HARI Eco-Van – the country’s first customized classroom-on-wheels that travels across the country to teach young people on how they can become responsible stewards of the environment. The HARI Eco-Van was designed to include a complete audio-visual system, library, a mini-exhbit on biodiversity, and other learning toolkits for children. To date, three HARI Eco-Vans visit schools in the three major islands of the country, this time with additional volunteer teaching staff made up of Hyundai scholars.

“As future leaders and innovators, Hyundai scholars play an important role in investing to the community and contributing to the common good--values that Hyundai and HARI Foundation share in their service to the Filipino,” HFI President Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo said to the scholars during the Hyundai Thanksgiving Lunch held December 19, 2013 in Makati City. “Educating other students about the importance of caring for our Planet is not just a timely response to the issue of climate change; it is also an admirable way to give back to the community.”

Needless to say, the Hyundai scholars themselves will benefit and learn from their hands-on experience as teachers and lecturers.

The training of future Hyundai Eco-Teachers will take place this year in partnership with HARIBON Foundation. After the training, the scholars will be assigned to hold brief teaching stints and other learning activities about the environment and climate science issues at chosen schools in Luzon, Visayas, or Mindanao.