Popular Annual Painting Contest Raises Awareness for World Environment Day in Qatar More than 2000 families are expected for the popular annual World Environment Day (WED) Celebrations that kicks off this weekend (25 – 26 May 2012) in Qatar. Over 1,500 entries have already been received for the Painting Contest and the WED team estimates it to cross over 2,000 entries this year. The theme of the World Environment Day celebrated all over the world, initiated by the United Nations Environment Program, this year is “Green Economy – does it include you? IAID in association with the Friends of the Environment Centre (FEC) has been the major organizers of the World Environment Day (WED) Celebrations in Qatar for the 6th consecutive year under the auspices of Dr Saif Ali Al Hajari, Chairman FEC. “A green economy is one where environmental risks are significantly reduced and based around sustainable development for the betterment of the people in that society,” says Dr Saif. “Qatar has put environment clearly at the top of the agenda as it is one of the four pillars of the Qatar National Vision 2030,” says Dr Saif. “So it is important that everyone, individuals and organizations alike, consider the role they can play and actively contributes to building a green economy.” This year’s WED celebration involves activities from 25 May to 5 June, with the painting contest as the centrepiece of the week. The aim of WED is to establish a corporate and community partnership towards common shared values to ensure a safer and more prosperous future for Qatar. IAID Director, Mr. Rajesh Jadhav says the mission of the event is to foster environmental education amongst today’s youth, who are the stewards of tomorrow’s economy. “WED is a wonderful way to raise awareness about the importance of the green economy for the sustainable development of Qatar and we’re delighted with the response to date for the painting contest. We don’t focus on the end result or on how amazing the paintings are. What’s more important is the interaction among the families. When a child participates, he or she would discuss the idea with family members. This helps to create awareness on environmental issues not only among the children but also their families. Overall, we find the paintings of the children pure and genuine.” The Painting Contest, is open to all age groups and will be held at the IAID premises in Mansoura on 25 and 26 May from 8.00am with the final Awards and Closing Ceremony along with prize-winning exhibits on 5 June at Al Rayyan Theatre in Souq Waqif. Exciting gifts, cash prizes, trophies and certificates await the winners. The WED Team urges the public to join this social endeavor. Al Khalij Commercial Bank (al khaliji) Q.S.C., who are Diamond Sponsor for the event, says initiatives that raise awareness of environmental issues are central to their corporate social responsibility programs and that WED is the best platform to educate the public interactively about the importance of the environment. “We all breathe the same air and drink the same water. We all have a part to play in ensuring that our actions have minimal environmental ramifications. We all share the moral and ethical responsibility,” says Al Khalij Commercial Bank (al khaliji) Q.S.C. Head of PR & Communications Ms. Abeer Al-Kalla. “So a ‘green economy – does it include you?’ – of course it does! You just have to play your role.” ORYX GTL Limited, the Event Platinum Sponsor say they are proud to be associated because the best way to see changes happen towards a green economy is by involving the youth and the contest is a great way for children, teenagers and young adults to express their concerns and ideas about how to help the planet and to raise awareness about issues that concern us all. The General Manager of Gold Sponsor GAC Qatar, Mr. Mikko Weiru, says the Green Economy is something that is created and sustained by individuals and organisations working together to meet the needs of their community and environment in a responsible and sustainable manner. “The painting competition reaches out to young people, the leaders of the future and such an investment in the country’s youth will have a lasting positive impact on Qatar’s sustainable development,” says Mr Weiru. “We consider it part of our contribution to the future of the nation and the global community, a small way of saying: ‘We care for our environment - wherever we go’.” Faber-Castell, as the world's leading manufacturer of wood-cased pencils, is a WED Event Partner that living proving how the green economy can operate. Jodi Bas, Branch Manager, Nishat General Co. W.L.L, says: “Today, the Faber- Castell group is CO2 neutral and the company’s own forests absorb almost five times the amount of CO2 produced by its production sites. Since protecting the environment is embedded within the business philosophy of Faber-Castell we have decided from the beginning to support the World Environment Day and will continue to give our support to such activities.” Mr Roger Griffiths, Director of Design Entrepreneurship and Industry Affiliations at VCUQatar, says a green economy requires sustainable products have social, ethical and economic-related aspects, more commonly known as the 'triple bottom line'. Being 'green is part of a sustainable design process that considers the full life cycle of the product, a cradle to cradle approach, from resource extraction to end of life recycling and recovery. “Through its programs VCUQatar develops individual capacity to lead innovations in the creative and cultural professions in Qatar and the region,” he says. “VCUQatar recognizes this painting competition, part of World Environment Day, for its contribution to help to educate and change our behavior, increase awareness and knowledge of the human impact on our planet.” The InterContinental Doha Director of Sales Jeremy Canivet says their hotels internationally are committed to ensuring they have the lowest possible negative impact on the environment “from compact florescent light bulbs, to recycled water for gardens, as well as community events promoting environmental awareness, you can be sure InterContinental Hotels walk the talk when it comes to the environment and conservation”. This year’s WED is strongly supported by ILoveQatar.net, with its Chief Executive Officer Mr. Khalifa Saleh Haroon commenting,” We always wanted ILQ to be a company that tries to make Qatar a better place with everything that we do. We've supported a great number of charities and community causes and supporting IAID and FEC with the World Environment Day was a great chance to get people to think more about taking care of the environment. We think that WED is another piece to the Green puzzle.” To cap the WED 2012 celebration is the Prize Awarding and Closing Ceremony to be held at Al Rayyan Theatre on 5th June. Mohammed Yasser Al Ayoubi Theatre Manager says, “We are privileged to be a part of this special celebration and proud host venue for this year’s WED 2012 culminating event. As the newest Theatre and Performing Arts Center in Doha, we welcome such great endeavor to take place in our venue. WED 2012 sponsors include: Al Khalij Commercial Bank (al khaliji) Q.S.C., Diamond Sponsor; Oryx GTL Limited, Platinum Sponsor; GAC Qatar , Gold Sponsor; Event partners Faber-Castell, InterContinental Doha, Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar, ILoveQatar.net and Al Rayyan Theatre. For more information visit www.iloveqatar.net or call 44320974 or 66710589. - ILQ news -

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