MUSCAT -- Oman Road Safety Association (ORSA) has announced a new youth awareness programme entitled "Be Street Smart" after signing a partnership agreement with Oman Oil Company (OOC). The agreement was signed by Amor bin Nasser al Matani, ORSA Chairman, and Mulham al Jarf, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of OOC. On the occasion, Al Matani said, "As the Oman Road Safety Association, it is our ultimate duty to address road safety issues within the community we live in and not only reduce them but also educate the people on safer driving and road use. Our partnership with Oman Oil Company enables us to build capacity among youth and highlight the importance of road safety by creating access to relevant road safety training and awareness programmes. These initiatives will support the development of the general public and encourage the youth of Oman to engage and play a greater role in transferring road safety knowledge to peers and friends."
"We continue supporting our communities with initiatives that have direct positive impact on their day-to-day lives. Raising the awareness of road safety falls under OOC's strategy to integrate social responsibility and sustainability into all our operations. The diverse pool of local and expat participants from public and private educational institutions will enhance the programme's reach to all communities across the Sultanate. Therefore, we are supporting this cause and realising its importance towards a brighter future, full of possibilities for our children and young people," said Al Jarf.
'Be Street Smart' will select students and young people from ORSA and AIESEC in Oman to become Road Safety Educators who will enrich the project with their own experiences and knowledge and become ambassadors of road safety in the Sultanate. The Educators will conduct regular workshops to train youth from selected colleges and universities in Muscat, Al Batinah North, Al Batinah South, Al Dakhiliyah, Al Sharqiyah North, Al Sharqiyah South and Al Buraimi, with guidance and support from ORSA. Commenting on the project, Shaima al Lawati, ORSA Chief Executive Officer, said, "Education is our primary resource for achieving safer roads and with the participation of Oman's youth we will be able to deliver these messages in an effective way to change the attitude and behaviour of the community. Be Street Smart will introduce Road Safety Educators and train them on road safety best practices. It is designed to transfer knowledge and empower the youth to make a difference and pass on what they learn from us. Our target this year is to reach 1,200 youth in Oman and we will only be able to achieve this by giving these young minds the opportunity to be part of the change we want to see."
© Oman Daily Observer 2014
