Banco de Bosques is an Argentina-based NGO committed to preserving Argentinian forests and the environment more generally through an innovative program: the forest bank. It is a means for the organization to collect donations from individuals on a middle-to-large scale, and also from foundations, international agencies and private businesses, to protect native forests. On a weekly basis, Banco de Bosques also holds fundraising events to further raise awareness about its actions. One notable campaign has been focused on PET bottles, which participants bring to Banco de Bosques (up to 3,000 kg a week), and are then transferred to a recycling plant in exchange for funds.

On 21 September, Banco de Bosques will also assist in raising awareness about the existence of International Peace Day, focusing on children. Departing from its traditional activities, it will join other Argentinian NGOs (including 1 Minuto de Vos, CISV Argentina and Scouts Argentina) to educate the public about the idea behind the celebratory day.

A member of the Global Truce NGO Coalition established by Peace One Day and coordinated by Interpeace, Banco de Bosques will base its activities on the structure and educational material provided by Peace One Day Argentina. Together with its partners, Banco de Bosques is currently working to convince schools to dedicate their curriculum to peace on the day in question. To date, seven schools have joined the initiative, representing an impact on 5,000 children. Banco de Bosques’s ambition is to reach 14 schools by 21 September. 

Banco de Bosques’ motivation to participate in the Global Truce NGO Coalition was simple. A volunteer, Dario Rodriguez, explained that the wish of the organization was to overcome ignorance about the existence of the day. “No one knows when the International Day of Peace is”, he told The Global Journal. "The main objective for 2012 is to ensure that Argentina meets the objective of a day without violence."

Photo © Banco de Bosques - Peace One Day Argentina

Interpeace is a leading international non-profit organization dedicated to building lasting peace in post-conflict societies.

 Peace One Day is an international non-profit organization with the objective to raise awareness of the International Day of Peace that occurs on the 21 September each year by promoting a Global Truce.