WAM Dubai, Apr 28th, 2012 (WAM)--The Emirates Environmental Group (EEG), a leading organisation well-known for its long commitment to protect the environment through means of education, action programs and community involvement, held its 12th Interschool Environmental Public Speaking Competition (ISEPSC) on April 25-26 at the Dubai Knowledge Village.

A total of 64 teams from Arabic and English-speaking schools from all the Emirates participated in the two-day event aimed at providing a common platform for students to discuss various environmental challenges and offer solutions.

"The Interschool Environmental Public Speaking Competition is one of the most important student competitions in the country and a compelling programme to advance the message of environmental protection among the youth," EEG Chairperson Habiba Al Marashi said in her welcoming speech.

"Since 2001, we have been gathering students, teachers, and experts in the field of environment on a common platform to discuss various environmental challenges and offer solutions. I have personally witnessed how this event has grown bigger, better, and more competitive each year," she added.

"The ISEPSC is also held annually to celebrate �Earth Day', a global unity activity that falls every 22nd of April. Millions of people across the world are mobilized in this common platform to catalyze global environmental awareness. With ISEPSC, we show our commitment in upholding a greener and cleaner environment while enhancing the social and communication skills of our environmental champions," furthered Al Marashi.

EEG initiated the competition to complement the traditional education system. In the run-up to this event, students learn important lessons such as team work and discipline. They also enhance their research skills, communication skills and networking abilities and, more importantly, they develop a strong bond with the environment.

The competition is a bilingual event to give Arabic and English speaking schools equal opportunity to compete and put forth their views on the environment and divided into two categories: Sub Senior Category (for students aged 13-15) and Senior Category (16-18 years old). Each team is composed of one speaker and up to a maximum of four assisting team members.

Among this year's 64 participating teams, 11 per cent are from government schools, up from 10 per cent last year. In the gender composition, 55 per cent are female, compared with 60 per cent last year.

Teams pre-selected their topics from the following themes: �Every Drop Matters'; �My Climate, My Responsibility'; �Consumerism and its Effects on the Environment'; and �Social Media: How Far Can It Go to Protect the Environment?' The topics were selected based on the suggestions given by the students in the previous cycle of the competition to relate with the current condition of the environment reflect and what they think about the future of the planet.

The winners in the 12th Interschool Environmental Public Speaking Competition in the following topics were: Every Drop Matters (Sub-Senior Category), Winner: Islamia English School (Jamal Faisal Shaheen), 1st Runner-up: International Community School (Adham Shakouh), 2nd Runner-up: Delhi Private School for Girls (Sofia Umer Sahib), My Climate, My Responsibility (Sub-Senior Category), Winner: Dubai National School (Yusra Mohamed El-Kalyoubi), 1st Runner-up: Far Eastern Private School (Jezreele dela Victoria), 2nd Runner-up: Our Own Indian School (Lakshmi Ramesh), Consumerism and its Effects on the Environment, Winner: Ajman Secondary School (Maryam Khamees Al Saadiy), 1st Runner-up: Al-Ittihad Private School- Girls (Rasha Ahmad Safarini), 2nd Runner-up: Liwa International School (Lina Hagag), Social Media: How Far Can It Go to Protect the Environment? Winner: Dubai National School (Fatima Alshuhoomi), 1st Runner-up: United International Private School (Frances Angelique Gaudiel), 2nd Runner-up: Our Own English High School - Dubai (Shishira Johny), Overall winners: Winner (over-all): Islamia English School (Jamal Faisal Shaheen), 1st Runner-up: (triple tie) Dubai National School (Yusra Mohamed El-Kalyoubi); Dubai National School (Fatima Alshuhoomi); and Ajman Secondary School (Maryam Khamees Al Saadiy), 2nd Runner Up: Al-Ittihad Private School- Girls Section (Rasha Ahmad Safarini), A panel of distinguished professionals and environmentalists served as judges: Dr. Hassan Darweesh Imran, Associate Professor at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of UAE University; Anas Dolan, Roads and Transport Authority Senior Environmental Specialist; Mohammad Abdulhamid, Business Development Manager of Farnek Avireal; and Mr. Khalid Al Sokhny, an environmental engineering expert from Abu Dhabi Municipality.

The judges were all impressed with the quality of presentation by the students.

"Discussions on the environment are really flourishing in this part of the world and this competition reflects our community spirit and pursuit for a vibrant, dynamic and environment-friendly UAE," said Dr. Hassan Darweesh Imran.

"These smart and brilliant students will soon carry the torch of adult responsibilities and with their commitment to protect the environment, they will lead us to a sustainable and environmentally friendly path," added Mohammed Kandil of Al Safi Club for the Friends of the Environment, who are supporting this program for the seventh year in a row.

The ISEPSC is also supported by Every Drop Matters, a water conservation project implemented in the UAE in partnership with the UNDP Water Governance Programme and the Eurasia and Africa Group of the Coca-Cola Company; and Dubai International Academic City.

WAM/MN