Committee shortlists UAE schools' proposals for 2005 Shell Better Environment Awards

The scheme, the 10th annual BEA, is sponsored and run by Shell in the UAE as part of their commitment to sustainable development and organized with the co-operation and assistance of the UAE Ministry of Education and Youth. It is supported by the Federal Environmental Agency (FEA) and the Environmental Department of the Dubai Municipality and ERWDA (Environmental Research Wildlife and Development Agency).

A total of 130 projects have been shortlisted for grants from Shell which has invested nearly AED 4 million in the BEA over the past decade. Entries were submitted in three categories - proposals for Environmental Awareness and Atmospheric Pollution campaigns and for Environmental Field Studies.

Schools that submitted shortlisted entries in the Environmental School Studies category will be briefed on bringing their projects to fruition at two sessions later this week and next week. They will also receive packages of reference books, equipment and materials that will help them complete their projects over the next four months.

The final winners of the Awards will be announced at a ceremony in April where all the projects submitted in each of the three categories will be on display.

Dr. Saad Al Numairy, Environment Advisor, Federal Environmental Agency, stressed the importance of continuing such activities to increase environmental awareness among schools and to develop the student's interest in the protection of the environment and its environmental resources, as this is a responsibility that should be shared by all members of the community. He also stressed that FEA is always keen to participate in such activities which proved its success in promoting environmental awareness in UAE.