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 kick off on May 25-26 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. 

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 6^th consecutive year under the auspices of Dr. Saif Ali Al Hajari, FEC Chairman.

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?

“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,” said Dr. Saif.

“Qatar has put environment clearly at the top of the agenda as it is one of the four pillars of Qatar National Vision 2030,” noted 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, Rajesh Jadhav said 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 Qatar’s sustainable development. 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.

Abeer Al-Kalla, Head of PR & Communications of Al Khalij Commercial Bank (al khaliji) Q.S.C., the event’s Diamond Sponsor said: “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. So a ‘green economy – does it include you?’ – of course it does! You just have to play your role”, added Ms. Al-Kalla.

ORYX GTL Limited, the Event Platinum Sponsor expressed its pride 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.

General Manager of the event’s Gold Sponsor – GAC Qatar, Mikko Wieru, noted: “Green Economy is something that is created and sustained by individuals and organisations working together to meet their community and environment needs in a responsible and sustainable manner.”

“The painting contest reaches out to young people, the future leaders and such an investment in the country’s youth will have a lasting positive impact on Qatar’s sustainable development,” said Wieru. “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, the world’s leading manufacturer of wood-cased pencils, is a WED Event Partner that implements how the green economy can operate. 

Jodi Bas, Branch Manager, Nishat General Co. W.L.L, said: “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.”

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 said.  “VCUQatar recognizes this painting competition, part of World Environment Day, for its contribution to help educate and change our behavior, increase awareness and knowledge of human impact on our planet.”

The InterContinental Doha Director of Sales, Jeremy Canivet, said: Our 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 the CEO Khalifa Saleh Haroon commenting,” We always wanted ILQ to be a company that tries to make Qatar a better place. We’ve supported a great number of charities and community causes and supporting IAID and FEC on the Environment Day is a way to encourage people to care about environment.”

Mohammed Yasser Al Ayoubi, Al Rayyan Theatre Manager said: “We are hosting the World Environment Day celebrations as part of Al Rayyan Company for Media and Marketing’s policy which aims at enhancing efforts to service one of the key issues of a civilized society mentioned in Qatar national Vision 2030.”

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/wed2012 or call 44320974 or 66710589.

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