ASEZ WAO Win ‘The Green Apple Environment Awards’ for 3 Consecutive Years

ASEZ WAO, the Young Adult Worker Volunteer Group of the World Mission Society Church of God (General Pastor Kim Joo-Cheol, hereinafter the Church of God), received The International Green Apple Environment Silver Awards in recognition of their initiatives for sustainable environment conservation.

The same group has helped clean up Old Trafford in recent times.

The Green Organisation, an international environment group, discovers environmental best practices among governments and institutions around the world and presents the awards every year.

ASEZ WAO has won The Green Apple Environment Awards for the third consecutive year following 2020 and 2021. Since 2020, ASEZ WAO has also received The Green World Environment Awards and had the honour of being appointed as a Green World Ambassador as well.

The 2022 Green Apple Awards ceremony was held at the Houses of Parliament in London on November 21.

ASEZ WAO was recognized for their contribution to combating climate change through the “Mother’s Forest” campaign, and shared the joy of winning the award with many prestigious organisations.

The “Mother’s Forest” campaign aims to prevent desertification by planting trees all around the world with a mother’s heart and to restore the earth to its original state as home to life. Through this campaign, ASEZ WAO participates in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals [SDGs] the biggest joint objective for the international community.

Roger Wolens, CEO of The Green Organization said, “We are here again presenting another trophy to ASEZ WAO for their environmental protection activities. The youth of the world is making difference for the future of this planet. We are looking to the next generation to make a real difference. Congratulations to everything you’ve done. I am sure you will get your support for that. Wish you very good luck with it.”

ASEZ WAO Executive Director Kim Yong-gap said, “Now there is a growing voice that urges to prevent desertification caused by climate change. We will spread the ‘Mother’s Forest’ campaign throughout the world, so that more and more people can participate in environmental conservation. Our young adults will take the lead in making the earth suitable for all life to breathe safely to survive.”

Bradly Lawton, a member of ASEZ said that he felt thankful and proud to participate in protecting and working for the happiness of the global family, as a young adult worker.

ASEZ WAO has conducted tree planting activities in 14 countries, including the United States, Peru, Mexico, South Africa, Australia and the United Kingdom. In these activities 2,254 people participated and planted 6,044 trees. Tree planting is an essential activity for preventing desertification. For example, if you plant 100 zelkova trees, they can absorb 250 tonnes of carbon dioxide and release 180 tonnes of oxygen every year.

ASEZ WAO has promoted global participation in tree planting, informing people about the importance of planting trees and the severity of climate change and of desertification, through online signature campaigns for tree planting titled “One Tree by One Person,” YouTube channels, and offline conferences and seminars.

ASEZ WAO is continuing its activities in cooperation with international organizations, central and local governments, and companies. In recognition of these progressive activities, ASEZ WAO was awarded triple honours: The Green World Environment Award, The Green Apple Environment Award, and a Green World Ambassador. To celebrate it, The Green Organisation planted trees in developing countries, encouraging young adults.

ASEZ WAO’s love for the environment is expressed in various ways. Recently, ASES WAO members all over the world have been conducting the campaigns titled, “No More GPGP” for reducing the use of plastics, “Green Earth” for cleaning streets and parks, and “Blue Ocean” for cleaning rivers and oceans.

They have also been actively carrying out the “Green Workplace” campaign to respond to climate change by saving energy and water in workplaces. As part of these efforts, they have conducted the challenges of “Using Public Transportation,” “Riding Bicycle,” and “Using Handkerchief.” These real-life, day-to-day practical environmental protection activities have received great response not only from the

ASEZ WAO members but also from their family members, friends, and colleagues. In July, ASEZ WAO held the Environmental Forum; over 4,600 people from all walks of life participated in the forum both online and offline, reaffirming their determination to take action to protect the environment.

ASEZ WAO is an international volunteer organization consisting of young adult workers from the World Mission Society Church of God.

The name ASEZ WAO stands for “Save the Earth from A to Z, We Are One Family,” which means “Let us save the world from the beginning to the end, as one family.” With great enthusiasm and positive energy,

ASEZ WAO members are volunteering in various fields such as educational support, social well-being promotion, emergency relief, and cultural exchange, etc. ASEZ WAO also carries out the “Heart-to-Heart” campaign to support healthcare workers and quarantine officials who devote themselves to responding to COVID-19.

In recognition of their altruistic activities for global citizens, ASEZ WAO has received awards from many countries, including The President’s Volunteer Service Award (Gold, the highest honour bestowed upon a group) from the U.S., the Certificate of Recognition from the Mayor of Ahmednagar in India, the Certificate of Recognition from the Mayor of Quilicura in Chile, and the Resolution from the Mayor of Huancayo in Peru, etc.