meUniversity's nature network call for action at Dubai Global Youth Environmental Gathering

For the first time ever, representatives of a UAE based student environmental association, The Nature Network, were called upon as delegates to represent the country.

The aim of the gathering, which attracted representatives from 25 countries, was to introduce EDA's environmental activities on a regional and international level, encourage environmental tourism, spread awareness on global environmental issues and unite youth of the world for cultural understanding.

The conference, held at Knowledge Village, presented an excellent opportunity for students from American University in Dubai (AUD), Emirates College for Management and Information Technology (ECMIT), Sharjah Women's College (SWC), Dubai Women's College (DWC and the American College in Dubai (ACD) to share thoughts and ideas about projects undertaken across the world and their potential application in the UAE.

Students from the Nature Network have begun projects within their respective institutions that they consider to be important and feel they can achieve a measurable impact. Sharjah Women's will be tackling issues related to coastal development; land reclamation and marine protected areas and will look for ways to raise awareness to both students and community of the importance of the UAE's fragile marine habitats. Other challenging projects include water consumption and shortages, mangrove and khor ecosystems from Dubai Women's College and other UAE institutions.

In addition to the UAE, regions involved were North America, Latin America & the Caribbean, Africa, Europe, Asia Pacific and West Asia.