Emirates Environmental Group
Interschool Public Speaking Competition
Press Release
Students Opine on Burning Environmental Issues
In 1981, a Select Panel for the Promotion of Child Health said “Children are one third of our population and all of our future”. However, this future looks bleak with the world reeling under massive environmental problems. Students have the right to state their opinions on issues such as climate change, water wastage and waste management – issues that will affect them greatly in the near future. Thus, as part of its educational programs, EEG organized its tenth cycle of the Inter School Speaking Competition at Knowledge Village, Dubai. The event witnessed over 90 schools battle it out to win the prestigious competition. The topics for this year were:
• Are We Generating a Lot of Waste?
• Intelligent Use of Water: Conservation or Management?
• Global Challenges: Local Actions
• The Environmental Role the Media can Play in the Gulf
The tenth cycle of this competition was represented by contestants from every Emirate. Twenty government schools took up the challenge to compete with the private schools on this common platform, making it 18% of the total participation as compared to 30% participation last year. Not to miss that once again the event had 60% female speakers as compared to the boys. The male speakers need not be disillusioned as the male participants increased this year as compared to last year wherein, they contributed to being one- third of the contestants.
The Inter School Public Speaking Competition is a bilingual event, giving Arabic and English speaking schools the equal opportunity to compete and put forth their views. The competition was divided into two categories – Sub Senior category and Senior category.
This main aim of the Inter School Public Speaking Competition, organized by EEG, is to engage and involve students in environmental research on burning topics. Through this, their young minds will be fuelled with a drive to resolve environmental concerns in the community and world. The competition also aids in personality development, building of self-confidence and improving public speaking skills - qualities that help students in the long run. Lastly, forums such as this one enhance a sense of friendly competition, which is healthy among students.
The topics for this year’s Inter School Public Speaking Competition were chosen with a purpose in mind – to get an idea of what the youth thinks of the problems the world is reeling under today. Wastage of water and improper waste management systems are growing issues that require quick solutions. As the famous idiom states – “Out of the mouths of babes”, competitions such as these drive students to find solutions and fix existing problems.
It must be noted that the problems in the world connected to climate change and global warming are not created by this generation of students, but by us in the last few generations. However, the resolution of these issues is a burden that these young shoulders will have to bear for a long time to come.
Keeping these points in mind, EEG encouraged the students to conduct extensive research and use audio-visual aids if necessary to put their points across. The presentations were in Arabic and English, with a bilingual judging panel presiding over the session.
This year, EEG was partnered by Al Safi Club for Friends of the Environment for the organization of the Intern School Public Speaking Competition. The event was also supported by Dubai International Academic City and Tamani Hotel Marina.
Al Salam Private School, Dubai represented by Hafza Omer walked away with the Rolling Trophy being the Overall Winner of the Tenth cycle of Inter School Environmental Public Speaking Competition
The overall Runners up were:
First Runner Up : Our Own High School, Al Warqa’a represented by Anubhav Nangia
Second Runner Up: St. Joseph’s Scholl, Abu Dhabi represented by Prima Rose Anto
On the specific topics, the winners were:
• Intelligent Use Of Water: Conservation Or Management?
The winning school is Islamia English School, Abu Dhabi represented by Jamal Faisal Shaheen
• Are We Generating A Lot Of Waste?
Al Salam Private School represented by Hafza Omer
• Global Challenges – Local Actions
The Indian High School represented by Ayush Raja Sekhran
• The Environmental Role The Media Can Play in The Gulf
Our Own High School, Al Warqa’a represented by Anubhav Nangia
