The JEM (Joint Environmental Mission) program brings children to the awareness that protecting the fragile fabric of life on this planet requires new ways of thinking about and relating to all life on Earth by helping them to understand that environmental harms to one nation, eventually affect all nations.
Likewise, environmental benefits to one nation are eventually shared by all nations. JEM brings children to the awareness that the key to finding solutions to environmental problems is in the cooperation of international communities. JEM helps children develop a new global view of world security, one which is grounded in communication, understanding, and tolerance rather than military strength.
The JEM program was founded in 1991 by a collaboration of School #213 and Buckingham Friends School teachers and now consists of permanent partner schools in Russia, India, China, Australia, Ecuador, Haiti, Hawaii, Africa and France. JEM partner schools engage in yearly home-stay exchanges. Every three to five years student and teacher representatives from all of the JEM partner schools meet at an Earth Summit held by Buckingham Friends School. The Earth Summit provides a unique opportunity for children to develop patience, cultural understanding and a tolerance for different points of view as they collaborate on Earth Summit projects, engage in simulation games and discuss their fears and hopes for the future.