'Education for Sustainable Development Teachers' workshop held by EEG

The workshop conducted under the theme 'Environment across the curriculum' was held at the Courtyard Marriott on 30th March, 2008. Since 2001, EEG has been conducting this annual teachers' Workshop which is a much sought after program in the educational field.

In her opening speech Mrs. Habiba Al Marashi reiterated the role of the teacher who is responsible for motivating sustainable habits and sound environmental practices among its wards. She emphasized that a teacher 'touches the future' through 'teaching'. Further, she said, 'It is only fitting that the teacher is given the tools and the knowledge to undertake this task. Through the Teachers' Workshop, the EEG is continuing to contribute to the environmental education in the country. The teachers are being trained to mould the next batch of environmentalists of the country.'

EEG believes that with the rapid urban sprawl, it has become imperative to switch on to 'green practices' to protect the environment. The workshop on Green Living deals with concepts that promote and encourage decisions and lifestyle choices that help to sustain the environment rather than deplete it. Leading experts from different fields were selected to present their views on the topic with emphasis on best practices in urban development, indoor air quality, innovative transport systems and sustainable communities.

Distinguished speakers from various sectors and organizations nationally and internationally like Atkins, RTA, ECAT, Masdar, Nakheel and Global Urban Development (GUD) provided valuable insights during the event.

The first speaker and the facilitator for the day, Mr. Lee Morris set the tone of the workshop by presenting relevant and highly alarming trends regarding the human impact on the planet. This was followed by a presentation by Ms. Jessica Wasserman of GUD presenting on the importance of green buildings and the need for sustainable agriculture in the overall formula of green living. Dr. Radhiya Al Hashimi, Director of Environmental Center for Arab Towns presented on Indoor Air Quality. Exercises were given to evaluate the present quality of Indoor Air in their respective schools and colleges. Next came Mr. Abdul Aziz Malik of Dubai Taxi showed models of efficient transport systems and how they could be brought to the region.

Mr. Chris Drew from Masdar and Mr. Michael Nates from Nakheel presented their case studies on 'the zero carbon city' and 'a green school' respectively. An interactive session helped the teachers visualize the need to implement a green strategy in schools through a simulation game. The Teacher's Workshop was also conducted in line with the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005 - 2014) which encourages changes in behavior that will create a more sustainable future in terms of environmental integrity, economic viability, and a just society for present and future generations.

The teachers' Workshop ended by handing out certificates to all the participating teachers and tokens of appreciation to all speakers of the day and sponsors namely, Al Safi Club for Friends of the Environment and Sabban Property Investments. EEG compiled all the materials used in the workshop in a CD and gifted to the school library to share the lessons of the Workshop to other teachers.