Enviro-Spellathon 2002-2003 launched in co operation with major sponsors

The Emirates Wildlife Society (EWS) and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) are executing the project in cooperation with the Environmental Research and Wildlife Development Agency (ERWDA) and the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA), Sharjah. This is the second year running that sponsorship for the project has come from Shell.

Mr. Abdul Aziz Al Midfa, Director, Environment and Protected Areas Authority, Sharjah and EWS-WWF Board Member said, "Under the leadership of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al-Qassimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, the Environment and Protected Areas Authority was set up to conserve nature and natural resources for the benefit of present and future generations. Promoting environmental awareness is one of our objectives and we are happy to participate in the Enviro-Spellathon, which will supplement, complement and strengthen education work that we are already doing."

Initiated in the Abu Dhabi emirate last year, the Enviro-Spellathon drew as many as 45,000 student participants. Delighted with the enthusiasm with which the programme has been received, Mr. Majid Al Mansouri, Secretary General, ERWDA and Board Member, EWS-WWF said, "The response to Enviro-Spellathon has been overwhelming, drawing participation from 172 schools in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region. In the current year, not only have we enlarged its geographical coverage to include other emirates, we have also increased its scope by targeting more age groups and developing additional study materials."

Conceptualized by the WWF in Hong Kong, and hugely successful when first implemented in Pakistan, the Enviro-Spellathon was developed for the UAE by ERWDA in 2001. It encourages children to read and comprehend information on local plants, animals and habitats provided in six publications. In the process, they improve their knowledge about species, get sensitized to nature, and grasp sound environmental behaviour. The programme also urges families to get involved when children bring home their coursework.

Dr. Frederic Launay, Director, EWS-WWF said, "In a country where the bulk of the population lives in cities and people's lifestyles are disconnected from nature, the Enviro-Spellathon's focus on local species and habitats helps inculcate interest in natural resource conservation among students from an early age.

"The programme will help in spreading conservation messages through hundreds of schools students and teachers and we hope their families reap the benefits too. It is most extensive environmental education programme ever implemented in the country. Undoubtedly, the success of such ambitious programmes can only be achieved with good, dedicated partners. WWF- EWS is proud to be associated with the Environmental Research and Wildlife Development Agency and Shell and we are thankful for their support. "

The programme is designed such that it grows with the child, the student's comprehension increasing with each level. It is the first time that such a far reaching education project has been launched across the UAE and we are grateful for the support of Shell in making it possible."

Mr. Hussain Al Mahmoudi, External Affairs Manager for Shell Dubai and the Northern Emirates said, "The success and demand for Enviro-Spellathon is evident in the increasing number of participants, as seen in its second year of implementation. Shell being the only private company to sponsor the project since its inception, we take pride in its success. This worthwhile endeavour, which combines care for the environment with education, is in line with Shell's objective of promoting sustainable development.

"We have, therefore, through partnerships with government agencies such as ERWDA, the Federal Environmental Agency and Dubai Municipality, been supporting a number of environmental research and awareness programmes. These include initiatives like the 'Better Environment Awards'. Now we are pleased to team up with EWS/WWF and government agencies in four emirates towards organising Enviro-Spellathon."