Dubai: The Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) has organised the 23rd cycle of its Annual Inter-School Environmental Public Speaking Competition at the Knowledge Park in Dubai from April 25 to 28, 2023.
The bilingual (Arabic/English) competition attracted more than 500 students from 90 teams from private and public schools across the UAE.
The competition, initiated in 2001, aims to bring together young minds to discuss and address pressing environmental issues affecting the planet. Over the past two decades, the event has grown in popularity, competitiveness, and recognition in the academic community, expanding from a one-day program to a two-day program and now a four-day program.
Ms. Habiba Al Mar’ashi, Co-Founder and Chairperson of EEG, stated that “environmental awareness and sustainability have become a pressing issue in today’s world. With climate change, pollution, and the depletion of natural resources, it has become imperative to take action towards a sustainable future. EEG firmly believes that youth are our most valuable resource, and in order to achieve an environmentally conscious and sustainability-centric nation, we must readily catalyse our actions at the grass-roots level. In order to ensure that the sustainable approach is ingrained into the minds of the youth, we began this pivotal journey 23 years ago.”
The four-day event is held annually in April to coincide with Global Earth Day (April 22nd) and provides a platform for students to address four different environmental topics. The discussions aim to bring about practical solutions on a local, regional, and international level. The 2023 event was co-sponsored by United Parcel Services (UPS) and supported by Sharjah National Oil Corporation, Dubai International Academic City, Studenthub, and Abela & Co.
As an accredited NGO of the United Nations Environment Program and the United Nations Convention for Combating Desertification and as a member of the United Nations Global Compact, EEG conducted the event to directly address and work on the deliverables of several UN SDG Goals.
The competition’s growth in participation over the years has allowed more students and schools to benefit from this skill-raising avenue. With the event’s success, EEG hopes to inspire young minds to be more environmentally conscious and to take an active role in creating a sustainable future for all.