Shell launches 10th annual Better Environment Award to 1200 UAE schools

The scheme is sponsored and run by Shell in the UAE as part of their commitment to sustainable development. The company has invested nearly AED 4 million over the past years for the BEA. It is organized with the co-operation and assistance of the UAE Ministry of Education and Youth, and supported by the Federal Environmental Agency (FEA) and the Environmental Department of the Dubai Municipality and ERWDA (Environmental Research Wildlife and Development Agency).

"The Shell BEA is undoubtedly the most exciting and effective initiative of its kind in the UAE", said Dr. Ahmad Al Shareef, Assistant Undersecretary Students Care and Activities Department, Ministry of Education and Youth . "With the 10th annual BEA, virtually a whole generation of the UAE's schoolchildren will have been helped to recognize their responsibility as the future guardians of the world in which they and their children will live. It has been - and continues to be - an extraordinary success story."

Over the past nine years, schools in every emirate have submitted about 2000 ideas for environmental projects. About half of these have been selected to receive grants from Shell to enable students, working in teams, to complete their projects over the next several months. Some 150 of these finalists have received Better Environment Awards.

The awards are open to students in both government and private sector schools and this year entries are invited in three categories - Atmospheric Pollution Campaign, Environmental Awareness Campaign and Environmental Field Study.

"The number of schools participating in the BEA has risen dramatically over the years and now about half of all schools, that is 1200 across the UAE are taking part", said Hussain Al-Mahmoudi, External Affairs Manager, Shell Markets Middle East. "Environmental issues are now firmly on the UAE's agenda and we at Shell shall continue to play our part in overcoming these problems through initiatives such as the BEA."

Entry application forms along with posters and full information kits are now being sent to more than 1200 schools covering all emirates. Closing date for applications is 26 October. A total of 130 projects will be shortlisted for grants and winning schools will be notified by The Ministry of Education and Youth by 7 November. Completed projects must be submitted by 27 March next year.

Following the final judging process the 2005 Awards will be announced at a ceremony in April 2005.