To mark the celebration of global awareness on environmental issues, IAID in association with the Friends of the Environment Centre (FEC) under the patronage of Dr. Saif Ali Al Hajari, Chairman of FEC, is all set to commemorate the World Environment Day (WED) festivity in Qatar for the 7th consecutive year. The events are set to take place between May 17th until June 5th. World Environment Day is annual event celebrated worldwide on the 5th of June, initiated by the UNEP in 1972 that aims to become the biggest and most widely celebrated global day for positive environmental action. In Qatar, celebration of the World Environment Day (WED) started in 2007 when IAID took the initiative to step up and speak up for the environment with a clear vision to influence the future of the nation building. In the further years, with the strong partnership with FEC, the WED participation from the Qatar community has been growing tremendously. “World Environment Day celebration is for people from all walks of life to come together to ensure a cleaner, greener and brighter outlook for themselves and future generations. The objective is to formulate 'A Global Agenda for Change' — ensuring development needs of today without compromising the ability to provide the needs of future generations,” said Dr. Saif Ali Al Hajari, Chairman of FEC. “The Friends of the Environment Centre (FEC) through its many initiatives and campaigns has established a relationship with nature, which is in line with the Qatar national Vision 2030, committed in making a difference to the environment and to mobilize today's youth to come forward and do their bit for the planet.” "Likewise, IAID a leading Academy for Performing Arts in Qatar since 2001 has taken this initiative to promote environmental awareness with a genuine intention to give back to the society and create a legacy for future generation through the strong medium of Arts." The theme for this year’s WED celebrations across the world is “Think.Eat.Save”. Think.Eat.Save is an anti-food waste and food loss campaign that encourages you to reduce your food print. Explaining the theme for this year’s World Environment Day, Dr. Saif Ali Al Hajari said, “This year’s campaign rallies you to take action from your home and then witness the power of collective decisions you and others have made to reduce food waste, save money, minimize the environmental impact of food production and force food production processes to become more efficient.” To involve the Qatari community in the WED celebrations and to create interest among the people, IAID in partnership with FEC has organized a wide variety of activities and contests to help the citizens become more aware of how they — as individuals — could make a positive impact on the environment. Activities such as Eco-Fashion Design Contest for school students to Arts Workshop for teachers and Seminar on Sustainable Consumption for parents, have been lined up to include people from all walks of life for the WED celebrations. One of the key initiative of this event is the WED 2013 Painting Contest which has successfully and continuously united arts and environmental awareness gathering creative enthusiasts from various schools, universities and general community in Qatar over the years. Last year on WED celebrations in Qatar this contest has brought together 2300 talents and this year, all eyes are set at breaking this record of participation as awareness increases about the event. WED 2013 Painting Contest will be guided by the theme I LOVE PLANET EARTH with exciting prices and recognition awards lined up for the participants and most creative designs. The celebrations will culminate with the WED 2013 Closing and Prize Awarding Ceremony along with an Art Exhibition of the winning paintings. Al Khalij Commercial Bank (al khaliji) for the third year in a row is the Platinum Sponsor of WED Celebrations. Other sponsors include Oryx GTL Limited as this year's Diamond Sponsor and also supported by event partners: Faber-Castell, Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar, ILoveQatar.net, Hemaya Security Services, The Ritz Carlton Doha, Renaissance Doha City Center Hotel & more.. For more information, contest forms and guidelines for the WED 2013 Celebrations in Qatar, please call WED Secretariat (IAID) at 44320974 / 66710589 or email at [email protected]

Follow us on our social media channels: @ILQlive @ILQlive @ILoveQtr ILoveQatar