EAD, Borouge Empower UAE Youth To Champion Sustainable Development

The Sustainable Campus Initiative (SCI), an environmental education programme launched in 2014 by the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) and Borouge, will return for its fourth edition next academic year to further strengthen leadership capacity amongst the UAE’s youth to address issues of environmental sustainability and spearhead efforts towards building and shaping sustainable communities.

ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 18th Dec, 2018) The Sustainable Campus Initiative (SCI), an environmental education programme launched in 2014 by the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) and Borouge, will return for its fourth edition next academic year to further strengthen leadership capacity amongst the UAE’s youth to address issues of environmental sustainability and spearhead efforts towards building and shaping sustainable communities.

The renewal agreement was signed by Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Managing Director of EAD, and Ahmed Omar Abdulla, Chief Executive Officer of Borouge, at Borouge’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi.

The SCI, which targets young residents between the ages of 19 and 25 and which so far, had positively influenced 710 students and youth since it was launched, actively supports local youth and environmental clubs at university and college campuses in the UAE to drive greater awareness around sustainability and promote a shared responsibility for our ecological footprint. The programme also creates opportunities for youth educators and mentors to enhance and share their learnings at conferences, events and workshops, and draws in local youth participation through regular volunteering opportunities. The SCI also hosts the Green Youth Majlis (GYM), which currently has 153 members that meet to discuss sustainability challenges facing the community and how best to overcome them.

Speaking on the occasion, Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Managing Director of EAD, said, "Our youth are the torch bearers of tomorrow, and their actions will ultimately drive the future of this nation. It is important to instil, nurture and encourage a sense of environmental consciousness in every action we take, especially in our greatest asset - the young leaders who will be responsible for leading the UAE in its next phase of growth.

Through the Sustainable Campus Initiative, we hope to mobilise our youth to champion awareness and consideration for water, energy, waste and biodiversity – key priorities that will always remain at the forefront of our country’s progress and growth."

Ahmed Omar Abdulla, Chief Executive Officer of Borouge, said, "We are glad to renew our support to the Sustainable Campus Initiative due to its significant role in encouraging the youth and university students to work on enhancing the sustainable development in their campuses and evaluate its environmental footprint. This is in line with Borouge’s focus on engaging all members of community, particularly the youth, to adopt the best practices in environmental stewardship and social responsibility."

"The Initiative has a great impact on improving the youth’s leadership capabilities through the societal projects they implement. The Initiative plays an important role in increasing their awareness towards the pressing environmental issues so that they are able, today and in their future career, to contribute to creating sustainable future in the UAE and supporting the Abu Dhabi Vision 2030."

In the academic year 2017-2018, 16 colleges and universities in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah participated in SCI, conducting environmental audits and implementing sustainable projects on their campuses. Students also raised awareness around reducing air pollution and waste production through the efficient use of resources available on campus.

SCI, along with a range of other programmes implemented by EAD, is supported by the Ministry of Education, Department of Energy, Abu Dhabi Waste Management Center (Tadweer) and Department of Transport.