Young locals shine a light on Bahrain’s environmental issues

Young locals shine a light on Bahrain’s environmental issues
On Saturday 19 April 2008, the Gulf Hotel International Convention Centre played host to the 5th Annual Coca-Cola Environmental Treasure Hunt’s Youth Workshop for 2008. The occasion brought together an enthused group of young locals equipped to wow an esteemed panel of judges, whom all hold the topic of environment close to heart. On the judging panel were CEO & Founder of Eventscom-Bahrain, Mrs Zahra’a Taher, Mr. Zakariya Khonji, Public Relations and Environment Media Head for the Commission, Shaikha Marwa bint Rashed Al-Khalifa, Director of the Crown Prince Training Program for Youth, Fatima Al A’ali, PAC Manager for Coca-Cola Middle East and Charnelle D Fortuin, Project Manager for Eventscom-Bahrain.
“The youth have always proved themselves to be free-thinkers and it is in our current time when Bahrain, and the world, is being overwhelmed by the threat of global warming and the devastation of the earth’s resources, that we called upon their bold and out-of-the-box approach to amplify the issues related to environment.” Commented Mrs Zahra’a Taher who initiated the annual Treasure Hunt concept and campaign in 2003 under the patronage of H.H. Shaikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Head of the Commission.
One of four workshops forming part of the 5th Annual Coca-Cola Environmental Treasure Hunt Campaign with a strong focus on the community and the public, the youth workshop opened the floor to twenty-three teenagers representing the Crown Prince’s Youth Training Programme to voice their opinions on eight pertinent topics: The Canyon, which discussed whether the natural area located in Sanad should be destroyed or converted into a national park; The Tree of Life, and whether this local treasure is worth preserving; Natural Habitats, such as the desert, the coast, and the sea, and whether our day-to-day lives are at risk through the contamination of these natural resources; Energy consumption, and how we can practically and economically conserve energy; Desertification, and its impact on Bahrain;  Water Pollution; Water Resource Depletion, and the factors that are leading to the diminish supply of fresh water; and Land Pollution, and how increased mechanization, urbanization, pesticides and insecticides affect the environment.
Having formed mixed teams—each with their own creative signature—the teams vied for the coveted title of Winning Team by putting on a highly entertaining and educational presentation session through the use of digital presentations, video footage, dramatic acting, and props. Ultimately all the teams rose to the occasion as winners, but it was light-heartedly named Three Heels and a Converse Team, consisting of Sara Ayoob Mohammed Alketbi, Sami Abdulla Fairooz, Sajedah Fadhel Ahmed Alasfoor and Hafsa Mohammed Ali Abdulla, who went home with the trophy.
For further details on the Coca-Cola Environmental Treasure Hunt 2008 taking place on Friday 23 May, whereby teams will simultaneously be competing to solve clues, leading them along a pre-determined map route, please contact a representative at Eventscom on +973-17-226775.