The Higher Colleges of Technology initiative

This in mind, themes of some EWS-WWF projects were suggested to 2nd year diploma students at Abu Dhabi Women's College.

'The overarching goal of this project is to enhance the effectiveness of conservation action in the UAE by promoting community participation through educational institutes,' explains Razan Al Mubarak, Managing Director, EWS. 'Through this formal partnership with Higher Colleges of Technology we will promote an education that also delivers an environmental education.'

Selecting campaign theme

A number of options were provided to the 18 students participating in Project Eco challenge: conserving the native ghaf tree; saving agarwood or oudh (this is used as a fragrance in Arabia); and coastal development vs. coral reef protection.

Students selected the last one - coastal development

'Coastal development is a local issue. We thought that building artificial islands was so wonderful; but we knew just one side of the issue and wanted to know the other side too. Once we understood, it would be nice to inform the public about it,' said Salama Nader Mohammed Al Qubasi, a student, explaining their choice of subject.

EWS-WWF worked with HCT to put together a programme embracing various facets of this 'real life,' environment versus development question so that students could adopt a balanced view. This included site visits (Dubai coastline; Sammaliyah Island Abu Dhabi), meetings and discussions with both developers and environmentalists (ALDAR Properties; Emirates Diving Association; Emirates Heritage Club) and, finally, a workshop at which professionals in the field of communications (Ogilvy One; Ocean World Productions; EWS-WWF) imparted 'on the job' knowledge.

Deliberating coastal development and the environment

Sara, Zainab, Asma, Salama and the rest of their team mates faced a dilemma. What should their campaign support?

On the one hand they heard from developers about a resort amidst mangroves. And that the utmost care would be taken of nature, in keeping with the company's 'wildlife first' policy. Two mangrove trees would be planted for each one cleared to enrich the coastal environment. That apart, all environmental mandates had been fulfilled.

What was more, elsewhere along the shoreline students glimpsed islands of sand emerging from turquoise waters. The islands would soon support prime ocean view properties - ones that had already attracted investors from far and wide. These man-made territorial extensions into the sea were viewed as an economic boon and national pride.

But on the other hand the girls heard concerns about the ecologically sensitive coastal waters of the Arabian Gulf. They learned of dying corals, disappearing turtle-nesting beaches, dwindling fisheries, and a defiled nature reserve…

'Our natural wealth lies in marine resources,' emphasized Al Mubarak. 'We should protect our coastal waters as our national identity.'

…And more: It was pointed out that it was vital to undertake environmental impact assessments before projects and their location were decided upon. This hadn't happened in most cases. Ad hoc development without proper coastal zone planning resulted in the destruction of coastal habitats. Ideally environmental parameters should form part of the decision making process.

'It is important to look beyond business plans at environmental concerns - short and long term,' pointed out Dr. Frederic Launay, Director WWF - UAE.

Opinions swung like a pendulum. In the end, the campaign choice was the students' to make.

Wrapping up with a workshop

On 22nd March, a workshop was organised at the ADWC to assimilate all that the students had gathered and to clarify any doubts. Most importantly, the workshop dealt with ideas and processes of developing campaigns as well as marketing, advertising and fundraising for documentary films on conservation themes.

That the Eco-challenge went down exceedingly well with students, came from the students themselves. All were more than willing to develop, in following years, more campaigns revolving around prevailing environmental issues.

Said Yasmine Zaki, Journalism Instructor, Abu Dhabi Women's College, 'This has been a wonderful way to expose the students to issues in the UAE that affect them directly. The islands are of interest to students in many ways, be it financially, socially or simply geographically. That is why this initiative is so effective; and it hits home. It creates an awareness that did not previously exist.'