Middle East International Climate Champions Begin Work to Tackle Climate Change

Four Champions from UAE Attend British Council and Partners Workshop
The first International Climate Champions for the Middle East have begun to develop their ambitious ideas for environmental projects that will make a real difference in their communities at a British Council organised workshop on “Project Management and Leadership”.
United Arab Emirates Champions Muna Al Amoodi, Abeer Sajwani, Wafa Faisal and Adel Azzam attended the workshop which was held between 22-23 June at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Kuwait. The event brought together 25 International Climate Champions from Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, UAE and Libya with Regional Partners and environmental experts, such as the Environmental Centre for Arab Towns and the Emirates Environmental Group.
This was the first time such passionate young people, who all share a vision of rising to the challenge of climate change, and making a positive difference, have been brought together in the region to share and develop their ideas on how they might best abate the threat of climate change.  
The two-day workshop provided an inspiring, creative and positive atmosphere to give the Champions the confidence, skills and support they need to deliver their projects and make an impact.  Projects focused on ideas to raise awareness of climate change amongst Champions’ peers and communities, influence people’s behaviour to limit the impact of climate change, and reduce their carbon footprint.  
Partners discussed regionally relevant climate change issues with the young Champions, who are all aged between 17-35 years. The Champions also had the opportunity to link themselves with organisations that can support them in delivering their projects.
These Champions now become part of the British Council’s Global International Climate Champion network - joining more than 1,300 other International Climate Champions from 60 countries worldwide to exchange ideas and experiences and effect change.
During the workshop participants visited the Al-Qurain Landfill site in Kuwait, one of the oldest landfills which has now been rehabilitated and is a source of sustainable energy. Dr Mohammad Al-Sarawi, the visionary behind this project, gave a presentation on issues of landfills, strategies for managing them, and focused on the Al-Qurain site as an innovative case study.
Throughout this year the Champions will be the Middle East’s climate ambassadors in their communities, engaging with others to make a difference, through local, national and international projects.
Dr Sarah May, Regional International Climate Champions Manager for the British Council, said: 
“This is a truly momentous occasion.  For the first time in the Middle East, young, environmental leaders passionate about tackling the causes of climate change are being brought together and provided with a platform to reach their goals.”
“I have no doubt that these inspiring individuals, together with our partner organisations, will make a positive difference to the issue of climate change in the region.  It is only by exchanging ideas and knowledge and working together that we will be able to abate the threat of climate change.  
“We look forward to following their progress, providing support and nurturing their skills so that they can achieve their ambitions,” added Dr. Sarah May, Regional International Climate Champions Manager for the British Council. 
The Champions will now work further on their project plans over the summer before coming together in October for a second workshop run by the British Council and its partners that will focus on communications training.