Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) conducted the 22nd cycle of the annual Inter-School Environmental Public Speaking Competition from 18-21April 2022 with the participation of 424 students from 89 teams. EEG aims through this programme, which it initiated in 2001, to motivate the student community in the UAE to reset their visions and present possible solutions to the most prominent environmental problems and issues. Therefore, it accordingly extended this previously two-day event to four days, to enable more student participation and enable more schools to benefit from this wonderful educational platform.
This bilingual (Arabic/English) competition is held every year to bring together students from different curricula across the seven Emirates, to voice their views on four different environmental topics and come up with constructive solutions to help achieve sustainable development.
The 22nd cycle of the competition was co-sponsored by OUNASS and the four-day programme recorded the second–highest participation since the inception of this competition in 2001.
EEG as an accredited NGO of the United Nations Environment Programme, and the United Nations Convention for Combating Desertification and as members of the United Nations Global Compact, conducted this important event to directly address and work on the deliverables of several UN SDG Goals, including zero hunger, clean water and sanitation, climate action, and good health and well-being.
Participation of 424 students from 89 teams
EEG Co-Founder and Chairperson, Mrs Habiba Al Mar’ashi, raising the curtain on the 22nd cycle said: “Global climate change is one of the most serious threats that humanity is facing today. Since this problem is intertwined with the global patterns of production and consumption, besides technical and political progress, it is vital to get the society involved in the efforts to achieve an ecologically sustainable society. Because young people are those most likely to suffer the negative consequences of climate change, and since they are the future leaders of society, one could argue that this group is especially important to include in societal deliberations about this issue.
“Today’s youth will become tomorrow’s leaders and as a form of guidance, it is our responsibility to provide them with educational experiences, for them to make knowledgeable decisions regarding the environment and sustainable development. EEG takes pride in playing an effective and important role in building the capacity of the future generations through this intellectual platform and sensitizes the coming generations and encourages them to find innovative solutions and methods for the way ahead”
EEG takes pride in playing an effective and important role in building the capacity of the future generations
The Sub Senior Category competition was directed towards students belonging to the age group 13-15 years who competed on two topics:
1. Water Security and Food Security – Correlated?
2. Conserving the True Lungs of the Planet: Key to Preventing Climate Change
The Senior Category competition was for students between 16-18 years of age, and that was held on 20-21 April. The topics for the senior category were:
- Growing Cities: Redesigning Infrastructure Towards Net Zero
- Industrial Animal Agriculture – A Compelling Contributor to Climate Change?
To score the students fairly, EEG assembled together an impressive line of nine bilingual jury members, who are experts in the fields of the chosen topics.
The winners of the 22nd cycle of Inter School Environmental Public Speaking competition are:
- Water Security and Food Security – Correlated: Dubai National School Al Barsha Girls
- Conserving the True Lungs of the Planet – Key to Preventing Climate Change: Global Indian International School, Dubai
- Growing Cities – Redesigning Infrastructure Towards Net Zero: Our Own English High School, Fujairah
- Industrial Animal Agriculture – A Compelling Contributor to Climate Change?: Dubai National School Al Barsha Girls
The coveted rolling trophy went to Dubai National School Al Barsha Girls,who managed to score the highest points in this year’s competition.