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Mission Green Earth- Stand Up and Take Action marches ahead to Ras Al Khaimah

Nov 13, 2008

Its been almost a month. Yet, in some ways, its only just begun!

November 13, 2008 Dubai - On October 17, 18 and 19, 2008 over 140,000 people in the UAE and over 117 million people (2% of the world population) around the world Stood Up to Take Action as a part of the international United Nations campaign to remind their leaders of their promises for a better world for tomorrow, articulated through the UN Millennium Development Goals of 2015.

UAE has chosen Millennium Development Goal No. 7 - sustainable environment - as its focus for the 2008 campaign. On the designated dates of October 17th, 18th and 19th, men, women and children across the country Stood Up and took responsibility for their environment by adopting and committing to adopt sustainable practices in their personal and community lives. Like in the previous year, this year too Mission Green Earth- Stand up and Take Action has been held under the Royal Patronage of 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 UAE and Ruler of Dubai. It has the support of UNDP, UNEP and the International Humanitarian City and is organized by Art of Living and the International Association for Human Values with the support of Barclays Bank PLC.

Click here to watch Princess Haya addressing UAE in a very powerful, heartfelt speech on the importance of Mission Green Earth, followed by glimpses of some of the many people who made the gesture of Standing Up across the UAE.

As a continuation of this campaign, the Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) cooperative Society, with support of the Indian association and four schools, were part of a Mission Green Earth- Take Action event on Thursday, 13th November 2008 at the Indian Association Hall, Ras Al Khaimah . The schools that participated were:

1)     Scholars Indian School,
2)     Indian School, Ras Al Khaimah
3)     Indian Public High School
4)     The Ideal English School

The event was a big success, with a strong show of energy, enthusiasm and commitment from the organizers as well as participants.

School children and Supporters of Mission Green Earth at the RAK event

The Chief Guest Mr. Mohammad Al Shamsi, Chairman of RAK Co-op and other Board members of the Indian Association stayed on for a colorful and entertaining program by the talented school children. The evening ended with Ghaf seed planting by school principals and guests.

Chief Guest Mr. Mohammad Al Shamsi, Chairman of RAK Co-op with school principals, organizers and supporters of the event

It is encouraging to see schools and social groups and organisations continuing to participate as role models and instruments of changes for a better tomorrow and  continuing to inspire everyone through sustainable living practices that can be applied simply in everyday life.

To get a glimpse of what has been happening and view photos, visit our photo gallery on this site and an extended gallery on the web.

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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