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Workshop highlights need
for environment education

DUBAI - A four-day workshop on youth and climate change by the Emirates Environment Group (EEG) provided students with insights into tackling environmental issues and reducing the carbon footprint.

Over 600 students from 118 educational institutions took part in the workshop as it also included university students for the first time.

Students aged 10 and above were given information on initiatives that promoted low-carbon living while motivating them to be a part of initiatives or green movements in their institutions and communities.

Habiba Al Marashi, Chairperson of the EEG, said: “Such workshops provide students with extensive knowledge, problem-solving capabilities and an ability to think outside the box. Relevant environmental knowledge will influence the daily lives of students and maybe even their career decisions.”

She emphasised that these workshops do not only represent a new and dynamic learning space, outside of the traditional classroom, they present real and urgent challenges that need a fresh and youthful outlook.

Environment education is driving a change towards sustainable development throughout the UAE as Dr Howard Reed, Director of Dubai Women’s College, says, “The world is in desperate need of a more environmentally aware population and in order for this to happen, schools and colleges need to make sure students get better environment education.”

During the workshop, students were given real-life scenarios and asked to solve issues by making decisions.

According to Adam Cade, Director of Susted, learning needs to be supported by ‘green’ education for students as it facilitates the building of a sustainable future.

Mohammed Sarhan, Chairman of Al Safi Club for Friends of the Environment, said, “Through its annual workshops, the EEG has been promoting environmental knowledge and capacity building for the academic community. There has also been a conscious effort on the part of the group to motivate government schools from all over the UAE so that students studying in these schools can benefit from international research and expertise.”

muaz@khaleejtimes.com