AED3 million to be invested into BP Young Adventurers programme

The BP Young Adventures programme has been recognised by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development as "a highlight, a story of a successful sustainable development from around the world." Now on its 5th year, it has been instrumental in building self awareness, developing leadership skills, as well as enhancing the safety and environmental awareness of 1,200 Gulf National teenagers, some of whom were present to celebrate the anniversary of the programme."

Richard Paniguian, Regional President of BP Middle East, Russia, Africa and Caspian, said: "The students attending BP Young Adventurers undergo a journey of discovery incorporating the BP values of Safety, Environment, Relationships and Creativity. The objective is to equip the region's youth to be tomorrow's leaders - to encourage GCC youth to develop an adventurous and enterprising spirit for their future, combined with respect for their past, and give them a chance to leave the weekend with a new community of friends from across the region."

A crucial factor in the success of the programme has been the involvement of the "Guardians", a committed group of young national volunteers selected to act as guides and mentors for the students. Many of the Guardians have full-time careers, and yet have given their voluntary support at the BPYA weekends.

The 36 Guardians receive training from BP including first aid, safety and leadership and have gone beyond the programme to involve themselves in many other volunteer projects in their local community such as Municipality environment initiatives and joining various advocacy groups on youth and environment.

Omar Abdul Rahman Al Ali, Vice Principal and Guardian, said: "I have been with the BPYA since it started in 1999 and I have seen how it has grown in the last five years. I have seen many young people's lives changed, as well as my own - I have become more aware of the need to preserve and protect the environment for future generations to enjoy."

The BPYA Programme is managed by Salem Bin Ashoor, a UAE national and himself a former BPYA Guardian before joining BP as a full-time employee.

Bin Ashoor emphasised that all the activities are undertaken according to BP's strict adherence to Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) principles of no accidents, no harm to people or to the environment, which are core to BP's global operations. "Not only are the students briefed on good safety practices but they are also made aware of their environment to avoid damaging it. Understanding and respecting the local environment is in integral part of the programme," Bin Ashoor added.

48 students from schools across the GCC spend a long weekend on a purpose built adventure camp in the Northern Emirates. They begin each weekend as strangers but soon forge friendships across the region as they begin competing in teams of 12 in the activities designed to encourage team spirit rather than individual prowess.

Said student Taha Ali Mousa, a BP Young Adventurer and a Law student at the Sharjah University: "I was very impressed with the programme. It taught me a lot about teamwork and at the same time about being competitive. It helped me think about ways in which I can help to make my own community clean. More importantly, it awakened in me a strong desire to care for the environment for the benefit of the future generations who will inherit it."

In addition to the BP Young Adventurers Programme, BP is an active supporter of various educational and environmental endeavors in the region, including the Abu Dhabi Petroleum Institute, a pioneering petroleum educational establishment founded through collaboration between the industry and professional consortiums.

AbdulKarim Al Mazmi, President and General Manager of BP Sharjah: "BP is committed to the Middle East for the long term and through focusing on the youth of the region we can help benefit the wider community, at the same time as reinforcing our business values. The BP Young Adventures programme has been so successful BP is committing to invest an additional AED3 million into the Programme over the next three years which will go to increasing the number of BPYA events, more training for the Guardians, and to developing an appropriate BPYA for young girls."