Dubai -   In a significant and historical initiative, one million UAE residents are expected to come together and stand up during the three days of October 17, 18 and 19 2008, to make a nation-wide pledge to pursue policies that encourage sustainable living and help drive sustainable environment in the emirates as part of a unique 'Mission Green Earth - Stand up and Take Action 2008' campaign.

The campaign will be held under the 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 the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, with the support of UNDP, UNEP and the International Humanitarian City (IHC).

The campaign is organised by the Art of Living (AOL) and the International Association for Human Values (IAHV), with the support of Barclays Bank PLC and aims to mobilise and inspire people through a variety of activities planned in schools, organisations and institutions across the emirates. 

The `Stand Up' campaign, occurring simultaneously all over the world, stems from the United Nations Millennium Campaign (UNMC), a UN entity advocating at a global scale the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) - an eight-point road map with measurable targets including ending poverty and achieving a safer, more prosperous and equitable life for all - to be accomplished by 2015.

Re-affirmed each year, the 'Stand Up' challenge involves millions of people all over the world standing up in solidarity for a cause.

Last year in UAE, 98,000 people stood up to end extreme poverty and hunger.  This year, the focus is on 'Ensuring environmental sustainability' in the UAE, the seventh goal of the Millennium Development Goals.

In Her capacity as the UN Messenger of Peace and Patron of the campaign, Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein has asked UAE residents from all walks of life to join the campaign and take a stand in support of environmental sustainability. 

"... Last year, over 43 million people stood up across the world at the same time to remind their leaders of the promise they made to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. Those 43 million individuals represented a strong united voice against a plague that is threatening the future of our planet; poverty; reminding us of the responsibility we have towards the future of this earth." She said, adding that "This year, our "Stand Up & Take Action" commitment is not only about mankind, it is also about our planet. Why? Because reducing poverty and achieving sustained development must be done in conjunction with a healthy planet, and because climate change must be addressed as a humanitarian emergency, the 'environmental sustainability' goal is the focus of our campaign this year. Let's give the UAE's voice to this global wake-up call and stand up altogether on October 17, 18 & 19.^"

UAE HAS THE WORLD'S LARGEST ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT PER CAPITA
`Mission Green Earth: Stand Up and Take Action 2008' comes at a time when we need to fight inertia and indifference and be part of the generation that actively seeks solutions to the existing environmental crisis. The WWF's Living Planet Report 2006 ranked UAE as the country with the world's largest Ecological Footprint per capita, over five times higher than the average humanity's Footprint. This means that if every person on planet lived as a person lived in the UAE, humanity would require nearly 7 planets to cover its needs.

ONE CAMPAIGN - TWO CHALLENGES
This year's campaign aims to mobilise and engage UAE residents, collectively and individually, in support of a sustainable environment 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 a sustainable environment.

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.

 - Ends -

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.

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: www.undp.org.ae 
 
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: 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: www.ihc.ae

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: www.barclays.com  

For more information, Please contact:
Jayakrishnan B
Q Communications FZ LLC
Tel: (O) 00971 43298313
Mobile 00971 50 3629823/6962042/055 9114613

Bishoy Salah Jam
Q Communications FZ LLC
Tel: (O) 00971 43298313
Mobile:00971506962042

Zoheb Bashir
Q Communications FZ LLC  
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© Press Release 2008

 

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