SDC'S ECO-SCHOOLS PROJECT RECEIVES ENERGY GLOBE AWARD 2014

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ Funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the Eco-schools Project, implemented by the Mongolian Nature and Environment Consortium (MNEC) has been awarded the prestigious "Energy Globe" environmental award from Austria's Energy Globe Foundation, the SDC website published Thursday. In attendance at the Ulaanbaatar awards ceremony were high-ranking Austrian and Mongolian dignitaries, including Richard Schenz, a vice-president of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Irene Giner-Reichl, the Concurrent Non-Resident Ambassador of Austria to Mongolia; and Ts.Oyungerel, Mongolia’s Minister of Culture, Sport and Tourism. Mr Schenz presented the award to MNEC director M.Badarch and L.Shinetsetseg, Project Officer at MNEC. "It is a great recognition of our efforts to create greener schools and communities in Mongolia, working with children," Badarch said. "We take great pride in being awarded the Energy Globe--the most prestigious environmental prize worldwide--and in being chosen from more than 160 participating countries and 1,000 project submissions annually". The award is given each year to projects that conserve such resources as energy or which utilize renewable or emission-free forms of energy. The aim of the Energy Globe is to raise public awareness about sustainable environmental solutions and to motivate people to become active in this sphere. Mongolia's Eco-schools Development Project was selected on the basis of its success in mobilizing 166 schools and in teaching young children about the importance of environmental issues and possible solutions to the challenges being faced. The project aims to improve the environmental education and knowledge of youth, and develop a national network focused on creating a better and healthier living environment. "We are living in a world that requires new thinking about the responsible use of our natural resources. However, change will only happen if awareness about current issues and alternative solutions is raised with as many people as possible" said the Energy Globe Foundation on its web regarding the work of the Eco school project. "This is especially true for our young generation, who are the decision-makers of tomorrow. This year's National Winner of the Energy Globe Award in Mongolia is paving the road to creating greener communities in Mongolia. Congratulations on this initiative." SDC has been supporting this movement of eco-schools since 2007.