SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainable Event Architecture

"Sustainability" can feel a bit like a popular buzzword that's commonly thrown around these days - but the truth is, acting responsibly to preserve our environment, support our communities, and create a healthy, inclusive society - not only for ourselves but for future generations - is of more importance now than ever before.

Paragon Africa recognises our responsibility to ensure that the post-conference legacy we leave behind is a positive and impactful one.

With our vision to Create, Empower and Inspire at the forefront of every project we undertake, we have pledged our commitment to tread lightly where ever we go, and ensure that the only reminder of our events are unforgettable moments experienced by our delegates, and a lasting legacy in the form of community upliftment.

How we're making a Difference

We have adopted various sustainable principles and practices, both in our office and at the events we execute.

As an endorsement of our commitment to these principles, Paragon Africa staff have signed the Events Industry Council's (EIC) Sustainability Pledge, centered around four Guiding Principles established at the first Global Sustainable Event Standards Forum at IMEX Frankfurt.

These Principles for Sustainable Events address all 17 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 

Sustainability for events means taking action toward preserving our natural environment; promoting a healthy, inclusive society; and supporting a thriving economy.

Source: The Events Industry Council (EIC) Centre for Sustainable Events

Our sustainability goals

We give preference to suppliers who have recycling / green policies in place and work closely with them to ensure our sustainability goals are met. This includes venues, hotels, caterers, etc.

Water and energy- we ensure all venues and hotels have energy and water-saving or water-recycling initiatives in place.

 

We reduce or eliminate the quantity of single-use plastics by providing food and drinks in reusable crockery and cutlery.

We reduce our carbon footprint by encouraging delegates to stay in hotels within walking distance of the event - minimizing the need for vehicle transfers; using public transport or shared transfers if necessary; and including options like walking or bicycle tours in our local experiences.

We source local - food, conference bags, gifts and related items are sourced locally to support the local economy, reduce transportation distances, and empower the community. This has the added benefit of showcasing our "local flavours" to our international guests and encouraging cultural diversity and identity

Waste Management - we recycle unused conference materials; exhibition components; and ensure minimal food waste. Leftover food is donated to local charities or organizations.

We employ locals and pay fair wages to encourage local job creation and sustainable living. In addition, we encourage students studying in fields related to the conference content to attend as volunteers or staff. This gives them an opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and practical experience in their field of study, as well an opportunity to network and interact with leading experts in the field.

Paperless - where possible, we use technology to replace printed materials - including sending all contracts, documents, and proposals electronically; giving preference to an event app instead of a printed program; and using digital signage in venues.

Our primary environmental focus is to reduce - re-use- recycle and our ultimate goal is to reach "zero waste" status on every event we co-ordinate

A classroom built for the Linda Community School in Zambia, in collaboration with the Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA) and the Zambezi Sunrise Trust at the Commonwealth Law Conference 2019 - leaving a lasting educational legacy for many future generations.

linda (1)

Leaving a legacy

Together with the Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA) and the Zambezi Sunrise Trust, Paragon are proud to have raised funds and built a much-need classroom for the pupils of Linda Community School in Zambia at the Commonwealth Law Conference 2019.

The school, only fifteen minutes away from the CLC2019 conference venue, provides a primary education for 470 children selected as those most vulnerable by the local community. The majority are orphans. Since its foundation the school has been housed in dilapidated and overcrowded conditions based on a disused community centre, with hundreds of children being taught in the same room at the same time. That began to change in early 2018, following the grant of land by the Livingstone Council. The Zambezi Sunrise Trust has had a constant building programme there ever since.

"The CLA classroom will leave a lasting legacy from the conference in the local community: we urge you to support the CLA's fundraising for it and thank you for your support." - Excerpt from letter from John Gillespie, Chairman of the Zambezi Sunrise Trust.

Changing lives

"In addition, every delegate to the conference (CLC2019) will receive a bag that has been made in the same community, Linda compound, as the school. The ladies of Tiyesa ('Let's Try') Craft Club are a women's empowerment group set up by Zambezi Sunrise Trust to help provide an income for families in a poor area of the city. They will be spending the first three months of 2019 hand crafting bags for the conference and are profoundly grateful for this opportunity."