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Campaign for Sustainable Living and Environment Concludes with Huge Turnout in Participation

Oct 20, 2008

Mission Green Earth: One in 11 people in Dubai Stand Up; 138, 064 people across the UAE join in solidarity for the cause

Dubai, October 20 2008:  The ­Mission Green Earth – 'Stand up and Take Action 2008' campaign concluded late yesterday with one in 11 people of Dubai standing up for the cause of sustainable living and environment and a total of 138,064 people across the UAE joining the Stand Up sessions across the country.

The thousands of people who took part in the Stand Up included 68,039  from schools, 45,262  from companies and organizations,  5,170 people from communities and social clubs and 17,833 from the general public who participated in Stand Up sessions in malls, super markets and in individual capacity.

Dubai reported the largest participation with 99,018 people standing up for a greener future while 11,868 people stood up in Sharjah, 6,679 in Abu Dhabi, 1,880 in Al Ain and 497 in Fujairah.

The participants at the Stand Ups took a solemn pledge to pursue sustainable living and remind their government of its commitment to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by formulating sustainable development policies for a greener future and further social responsibility.

In a concluding ceremony attended by a host of dignitaries including the UAE Minister of Environment and Water, His Excellency Dr. Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahad, the campaign organisers said the success of the ‘Mission Green Earth: Stand Up & Take Action’ brought to light the deep and growing concern that UAE residents, from all walks of life, share in protecting the environment and thier interest in leading a more responsible and sustainable life.

In a recorded message at the ceremony, UN Messenger of Peace HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, Wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, who is the patron of the campaign, said: “This is not just another green campaign; this is about saving and enhancing human lives because we know that those who will be hardest hit by climate change will be those who are already the most vulnerable in our societies. For their sakes, environmental sustainability should be central to our decisions and lifestyles, not just an afterthought.”

“We want the UAE to benefit from our attention to sustainability but let’s also be responsible world citizens because the reality is that while we take life's perks for granted, many in our world are suffering. We enjoy abundant water but in other parts of the Drylands; people like us are on the brink of fighting for water. We enjoy the energy to power air-conditioned surroundings at work, home and leisure places but in some places just providing the energy to provide light and clean fire would provide hope for the future,” she added.

The culminating three days of the campaign - October 17, 18 and 19, 2008 - saw a number of group Stand Up sessions. Governmental bodies, including ministries and municipalities of different emirates, humanitarian organisations, leading corporations, schools and universities, hospitals, supermarkets and retail outlets joined thousands of families and private individuals in this symbolic movement against poverty and inequality, with a focus this year on environmental sustainability. The Mission Green Earth campaign has been organised by International Association for human Values (IAHV) and Art of Living (AOL) with the support of UNDP, UNEP, the International Humanitarian City (IHC) and Barclays Bank PLC.

Commenting on the campaign and the significance of the MDGs, Dr. Khaled Alloush, UN Resident Coordinator, said: "The 'Stand Up and Take Action' Campaign this year is another catalyst act of the United Nations towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This year's main focus on the promotion of MDG 7 - ensuring environmental sustainability - reinforces the notion that reducing poverty and achieving sustained development must be done in conjunction with a healthy planet. The Millennium Development Goals are our roadmap to promoting human freedom and to recognizing that environmental sustainability is part of global economic and social well-being."

Campaign organisers said the response to the campaign was across the board. The support from governmental institutions was evident from the participation of the Ministry of Environment, municipalities of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and a host of others. A number of corporate houses also undertook Stand Up sessions including ETA Ascon, EMKE Group of Abu Dhabi, Al Fara'a Group, BMW, Wafi Group, Jashanmal and Jumbo. Hospitals which will take part in the event include CEDARS - Jebel Ali International Hospital, Mafreq Hospital, Abu Dhabi, Welcare Hospitals and Zulekha Hospitals. Financial institutions include Barclays Bank, Julius Baer (Middle East), Commercial Bank of Dubai, Mashreq Bank and RBS.

Commenting on the participation of Barclays Bank PLC as the lead sponsor of the event, Mr. Ahmed Khan,Chief Executive Emerging markets Global Retail and Commercial Banking, Barclays Bank Plc, said “Environmental sustainability and in particular addressing environmental landscaping in the UAE has been identified as one of Barclays key corporate responsibility objectives. This objective is perfectly complimented by our involvement with the 'Mission Green Earth: Stand Up and Take Action' campaign. We are honoured to be part of this wave of change and I am confident that our efforts will have sustainable effects for generations to come. However our support does not end tonight, on the contrary it has just gained momentum.”

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Notes to the Editors:

ONE CAMPAIGN – TWO CHALLENGES

This year’s campaign aims to mobilise and engage UAE residents, collectively and individually, in support of environmental sustainability and sustainable living through two challenges.

Stand Up – All over the country, residents will Stand Up in their homes, communities, schools and colleges, organisations and institutions and read a pledge in support of the Millennium Development Goals with a focus on environmental sustainability.  The Stand Up will be reported along with a photograph to be added to the global count for the Guinness Book Record for the largest number of people standing up for a cause.

Take Action – Participants will take action through actively committing to conserve energy and water and reduce waste. They will also be motivated to plant trees and plants that require lesser of the earth’s natural resources, including valuable water, for their survival and maintenance.

To participate and learn more about MISSION GREEN EARTH, go to www.missiongreenearth.ae.

BACKGROUND:

The Mission Green Earth campaign has its roots in the United Nations Millennium Goals (MDGs). In September 2000, 189 Heads of Nations came together to commit to work together to end poverty and to build a safer, more prosperous and equitable world for all by 2015 at the United Nations Millennium Summit, which gave birth to the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Mission Green Earth aligns with MDG No. 7 in support of environmental sustainability.

The Millennium Development Goals are supported and reinforced by the United Nations Millennium Campaign (UNMC). Launched in 2002, the UNMC is a U.N. initiative to support and encourage people’s involvement and actions to realise the eight MDG’s and hold their government accountable for the millennium promise. The “Stand up & Speak Out” challenge was launched in 2006. In 2007, 43.7 million people around the world and 98,000 in UAE people stood up to end extreme poverty and hunger.
 
About the organisers and official supporters of this campaign:

About the International Association for Human Values (IAHV) and the Art of Living (AOL):
The International Association for Human Values (IAHV) is an NGO established in Geneva in 1997. It holds special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. Through programmes educating people about shared values, the International Association for Human Values along with its sister organization, the Art of Living Foundation (AOL), has been working towards building healthy, sustainable communities in over 150 countries around the world. IAHV and AOL develop and promote programs of personal development to encourage the practice of human values in everyday life. They also have programs of community education that foster greater awareness of shared values among diverse cultures. Their Middle-Eastern headquarters were established at the International Humanitarian City in 2003.

•    Web sites: http://www.iahv.org and http://www.artofliving.org
•    Contact person: Sunila Muzawar
•    Phone: +971.50.6576014
•    E-mail:

About the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP):
UNDP is the UN's global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. On the ground in 166 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and its wide range of partners. Progress towards the achievement, by 2015, of the Millennium Development Goals is an integral part of UNDP's works.

UNDP is a neutral and trusted partner, which draws on its mandate, wide pool of knowledge and comparative advantages to enhance national capacities in line with national priorities and objectives. UNDP works with a wide variety of partners including Government, civil society organization and private sector, the UN system and other international partners.

•    Website: http://www.undp.org.ae
•    Contact Person: Walid Abu Saifan
•    Phone: + 971.50.9455039

About the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP):
The UNEP is the voice for the environment in the United Nations system. It is an advocate, educator, catalyst and facilitator, promoting the wise use of the planet's natural assets for sustainable development. It aims to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.

•    Website: http://www.unep.org

About the International Humanitarian City (IHC):
International Humanitarian City (IHC) is a first-of-its-kind global humanitarian hub, which aims to facilitate aid and development efforts by providing local and international humanitarian actors with facilities and services specifically designed to meet their needs. An independent free zone authority created by the Government of Dubai under the Directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and chaired by HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, Wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE, Ruler of Dubai, IHC consolidates Dubai as an essential link in the humanitarian value chain. Leveraging the proven Dubai free zone model, IHC addresses the specific needs of the humanitarian aid and development community, while grouping them in a secure environment that fosters partnerships, social responsibility and global change. By co-locating, non-profit and commercial entities are encouraged to share best practices to increase their operational efficiencies and improve institutional learning.

56 United Nations agencies, international NGOs and companies supplying aid-related goods and services are currently registered with IHC. IHC is a non-religious, non-political and non-profit organisation.

•    Official website: http://www.ihc.ae
•    Contact person: Elise Bijon, Communications Officer, ; +971.4.3680226

About Barclay's Bank / Community Services:
Barclays is a major global financial services provider engaged in retail and commercial banking, credit cards, investment banking, wealth management and investment management services, with an extensive international presence in Europe, the USA, Africa and Asia. With over 300 years of history and expertise in banking, Barclays operates in over 50 countries and employs 147,000 people. Barclays moves, lends, invests and protects money for over 42 million customers and clients worldwide. Barclays has been a member of the UAE business community for more than 30 years, and services its clients through a network of 44 ATMs and 4 distribution points. It continues to invest heavily in the region and to expand the range of services offered to customers.

•    Official website: http://www.barclays.com 
•    Contact person: Umayma Abubakar, Head of Corporate Affairs,  ; +971.4.3626740

For more information, Please contact:
Jayakrishnan B/Bishoy Salah /Zoheb Bashir
JamQ Communications FZ LLC
Phone: (O) 00971 43298313/(M) 00971 50 3629823/6962042/055 9114613