EAD, Jane Goodall Institute partner to bring youth-led community action programme to Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI, 17th March, 2015 (WAM) -- The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, EAD, in partnership with world-renowned conservationist, anthropologist and UN messenger of peace, Dr. Jane Goodall, has brought the global environmental and humanitarian initiative, ‘Roots & Shoots’, to Abu Dhabi. Active in over 130 countries, ‘Roots & Shoots’ was designed to shape a generation of inspired youth with the knowledge and skills to create meaningful change and live sustainably. Through the programme, young people assess their local community and identify specific challenges their neighbourhoods face. They prioritise issues, develop solutions and take positive action in activities and projects that benefit animals, the environment, and society as a whole. Today, the global ‘Roots & Shoots’ network comprises more than 150,000 members from kindergarten to university. The creation of a local chapter of the initiative follows the successful completion of a 2014 pilot that included New York University Abu Dhabi, American Community School, British International School of Abu Dhabi, Emirates Private School, Al Muna School, Al Mushrif School, Indian School and Bangladeshi School. Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, EAD’s Secretary-General, commented, "Through ‘Roots & Shoots’, our youth have the unique opportunity to lead a wave of change for people, wildlife and the environment. This is exactly what our community, our nation and our world needs more of. Since EAD was first established, we have placed great emphasis on engaging with youth not just because of their power to initiate change but because the decisions we make now will have a profound impact on the world that they inherit." "Dr. Goodall’s ‘Roots & Shoots’ programme not only engages, it empowers our youth to create community-based solutions to big challenges. EAD is proud to partner with Dr. Goodall’s programme and see it grow and take shape in Abu Dhabi," she added. Speaking about this partnership, Dr. Jane Goodall said, "Our work in Abu Dhabi has been exciting and rewarding. The work of the young people is resourceful and engaging. It proves our philosophy that every individual can make a difference every day through simple every day actions and choices for the future protection of our planet. We look forward to continued success in the UAE". EAD has designed, developed and managed the roll-out of award winning, environment-focused education programmes in schools and universities, including the Sustainable Schools Initiative, the Annual Enviro-Spell-a-thon, the Annual Environment Competition and the Sustainable Campus Initiative. – Emirates News Agency, WAM – http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395277986597.html