Emaar Retail's KidZania and Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo take part in Walk for Education 2013

Urbano, Vita, Bache, Beebop, and Chika, KidZania's characters, and more than 45 representatives of KidZania and Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo took part in the initiative that aims to support millions of children around the world who face obstacles in their pursuit of education or who are unable to go to school.

Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer, Emaar Retail LLC, said, "Emaar Retail and Dubai Cares share a common vision that education is the best long-term solution to breaking the cycle of poverty worldwide. Throughout the year, we are focused on promoting education through our leisure attractions. School tours to KidZania and Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo are approved by the UAE Ministry of Education, enabling us to instill social and environmental values in our young visitors and future citizens."

In 2012, KidZania and Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo collectively hosted more than 80,000 students, underlining the educational value of the popular assets.

Launched in September 2007 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai Cares is a philanthropic organisation aiming to improve children's access to education in developing countries.

KidZania provides a safe, unique and very realistic educational environment that allows kids to do what comes naturally to them: role-playing by mimicking traditionally 'adult' activities. It features offices, a university, fire station, race track, radio station, pizzeria, hospital, bank, theatre, among others, all scaled down to a smaller, child-friendly size. Children dress up in real-life uniforms and perform realistic professional tasks in a fun and meaningful way.

Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is one of the largest and most diverse indoor aquariums in the world and holds the Guinness World Record for the 'Single Largest Acrylic Viewing Panel'. Underwater Zoo, located on Level 2 above the main Aquarium, presents the bio-diversity in different ecological zones including Rainforest, Rocky Shore and Living Ocean.

The world-renowned attraction won the prestigious 2012 'Certificate of Excellence' from TripAdvisor and the 'Images Most Admired Retailer of the Year - Leisure & Entertainment' honour at Images RetailME Awards 2012, underlining its premier position as a world class leisure and entertainment attraction.