Emirates Environmental Group Celebrates the Year of Giving With Workshops for Sustainable Development

Press release

Published November 8th, 2017 - 08:04 GMT

The event received participation of 625 students and teachers from 115 schools and universities across the UAE.

The Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) organised its 17^th Annual Student’s Workshops from the 6^th to the 9^th of November 2017. The successful event received participation of 625 students and teachers from 115 schools and universities across the UAE over the course of the 4 days.

Held under the theme of “Sustainable Development: Goals, Ideas, Voices and Expressions #GIVE”, the workshops marked the meaningful “Year of Giving” declared by the UAE’s President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan for 2017. The theme aligned with all the goals, which EEG had tirelessly worked to achieve. The theme further provided an ideal platform for the students to raise awareness on the most relevant environmental topics and to express themselves through finding innovative solutions and performing activities in a creative, effective and fun way. The theme of this year’s inspiring event was connected to the educational journey of students as it allowed them to set their goals, come up with ideas, voice these ideas and actively express them through the various activities that followed.

Emirates Environmental Group aims to transform and enrich lives through the means of education whilst recognising its role as a driving force for development. During the inspiring workshops, Mrs. Habiba Al Marashi, Chairperson of EEG said that “the youth play an important role in shaping the future of the nation. In a time when the country is moving steadily forward with sustainability etched in its core, it is very important to inculcate the same values into the young minds of today – our future.” Mrs. Al Marashi further expressed that “the workshops serve as implementation platforms, which provide the younger generation an opportunity to learn the value of a sustainable future and methodologies for them to reach their goals. With these simple yet effective solutions we are inculcating a culture of change.”

His Excellency Saif Humaid Al Falasi, Group CEO, ENOC said: “Sustainability is at the heart of ENOC’s strategy and we have always shared a successful collaboration with the Emirates Environmental Group, as their work continues to serve as a benchmark when it comes to environmental education initiatives. This partnership also falls in line with the goals of our visionary leaders who aspire to create a culture of education, innovation and creativity.”

The Student’s Workshops is one of a kind event and a unique educational programme, as it brings together students from across the UAE to share their knowledge, views and opinions about the most current environmental challenges with one another. It is incredibly important as it looks at increasing the knowledge and skills of the student community with regards to current environmental debates and discussions. It also provides the students with a unique opportunity to discuss ideas and present effective solutions for tackling the various environmental issues facing us today at the grassroots level.

EEG conducts these workshops keeping its commitment towards the concept of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in mind for the last 17 years. The workshops witnessed the presence of expert speakers from the corporate sector, who presented the students and the teachers with key knowledge on various concepts on the national, regional and global level and stimulated them to the idea of working together for sustainable living. They also shared some innovative solutions adopted by the organisations to achieve environmental preservation. The workshops witnessed special presentations by ENOC and The Sustainable City. The workshops included interactive brain storming sessions, debates and discussions and hands on practical exercises, on the most relevant environmental topics, including renewable energy and mistreated waters.

EEG would like to thank its strategic educational partners ENOC and the Sustainable City, who were the main sponsors for the inspiring event. EEG is grateful to its venue supporter and long-term partner, Rashid School for Boys Dubai for its commitment and sustenance that has helped facilitate the workshops for the schools. EEG is further appreciative of the support extended by Holiday Inn Al Barsha for having kindly hosted the University Level workshop.

Background Information

Emirates Environmental Group

EEG is a professional working group devoted to protecting the environment through the means of education, action programmes and community involvement. Established in 1991, it has witnessed phenomenal growth in terms of membership, programmes and partnerships over the past two and a half decades.