4.23.2008 - 12:17pm ET

(CSRwire) WASHINGTON, DC - April 23, 2008 – For the third year in a row, Greenpeace and Seventh Generation have teamed up to create a program designed to train and empower students to become the next generation of leaders in the global movement for change.

Change It ‘08 is an all-expenses-paid week of grassroots educational training led by experts from Greenpeace and other progressive organizations. Building on the success of the last two years, the program will teach dedicated full- and part-time students, ages 18 to 24, how to take on the toughest global challenges of our time.

Change It provides an opportunity for students already committed to protecting the environment, leading social change, and taking action to learn the skills they need to become effective leaders. Students will emerge from the program ready to engage in the efforts necessary to prevent global warming and corporate greenwashing. Applications for Change It 08 are now being accepted online at Change It '08 before May 12th.

The program will train participants in lobbying, organizing techniques, media and communications, and conducting peaceful demonstrations, all led by Greenpeace staff and activists. "This will be the third year in a row that we bring together some of the best and brightest young activists in the country through Change It," said John Passacantando, Executive Director of Greenpeace USA. "By training these young people on how to push for solutions to global warming on their campuses and in their communities, we empower the next generation to take responsibility for our planet and inspire others to do the same."

This year’s Change It program will take place in two cities: in Boston from July 16-21 and Seattle from July 26-31. The focus of this year’s program will be to train students on how to recognize and challenge "greenwashing," the deliberate misleading of consumers about environmental policies and practices, and on how to run successful global warming advocacy campaigns.

"From the beginning, when we partnered with Greenpeace for the first Change It in 2006, we have been proud to be a part of training the future leaders of the environmental movement," said Jeffrey Hollender, founder and CEO of Seventh Generation. "This year they will learn not only how to recognize and expose the corporate polluters, but how to create solutions through congressional lobbying."

Students are being recruited to participate in the Change It 2008 program through online outreach and direct contact by Greenpeace student network coordinators. After submitting an application at Change It '08, the most qualified applicants will be selected based on essay questions designed to gauge their leadership skills, strategic thinking, commitment to working on environmental and/or social equity projects and ability to inspire. A total of 140 applicants will be selected.

"Past Change It participants have been instrumental in our campaigns to halt global warming, stop toxic pollution and protect our forests," said Passacantando. "As these problems continue to pose threats to our planet and its people, the need is greater than ever for more inspired young people to be a part of positive change."

For more information, visit www.changeit08.com

For more information please contact: