65,000 Students Participate in EEG’s Environmental Drawing Competition

The Emirates Environmental Group organised a special and stand alone awarding ceremony to unveil and celebrate the winners of its 2018 Environmental Drawing Competition on the 8^th of May in the Ismaili Centre, Dubai. Welcoming the students, teachers, press and guests from the government and private sector to the ceremony, Mrs. Habiba Al Mar’ashi, EEG Chairperson highlighted on the achievements of the competition, proudly noting that, “This year witnessed the highest ever participation rate from schools, since inception of the programme. A total of 1,215 entries were received from 384 schools with a total participation of over 65,000 students including 45 student members of the EEG.” 

As one of EEG’s strong and popular educational programmes, the Environmental Drawing Competition was rolled out for the 12^th cycle to foster creativity of the young generation and maximise awareness on sustainability issues, guiding the students towards developing a sense of care and respect for the environment. Art as a form of expression allowed the students from both regular and determined schools in all of the seven Emirates to create a lasting and powerful impact, moving the viewers and fostering environmental action.  

The Awarding Ceremony commended the talented young artists and exhibited the 36 winning entries with strong environmental messages, creating a bright and colourful scene. Each of the marvellous drawings held a unique perception of the current environmental challenges and demonstrated hope, which the youth holds for a sustainable future.

This year saw the expansion of the competition to include three wide-ranging and powerful themes, which were orchestrated in line with the most current environmental issues and developments. “The Year of Zayed” topic was developed in strong correlation with the UAE’s Year of Zayed national mandate, encouraging the students, between the age of 12 and 16 years, to understand the significant work of our founding father and elaborate on his vision for the environment. As World Environment Day approaches, EEG further contributed to the #BeatPlasticPollution movement through the topic of “Ocean Pollution: Leave No Plastic”, for students between 9 and 11 years, which raised awareness and youth engagement to curb the use of unnecessary single-use plastics, with emphasis on the precious oceans and marine life. The youngest participants of the competition, between the age of 6 and 8 years, presented entries under the topic of “My Sustainable Classroom”, demonstrating the importance of greener classrooms,  which can become ultimate sustainable spots, creating a healthier learning environment that benefits the academic institution as a whole.

The winning students received gifts, courtesy of Cool and Cool and Al Hathboor, including vouchers for purchase of exceptional art material to help develop their artisitic talents.

In the continuing effort to minimise the negative consequences of its consumption, EEG offset 1.24 tonnes of C0² emissions produced during the awarding ceremony of the competition, making a sustainable contribution to voluntary climate protection, in collaboration with EEG’s devoted corporate member, Farnek and MyClimate Foundation.

For their support to the Environmental Drawing Competition 2018, The Sustainable City, main sponsor of the Competition and the strategic educational partner of EEG received a crystal of appreciation. Al Hathboor International, Cool and Cool, McDonalds UAE, the Ismaili Centre, Dubai and  the catering supporter, Abela & Co were also presented with tokens of appreciation for their commitment and support of educational programmes and environmental awareness.

The winners of EEG’s Environmental Drawing Competition 2018 were: