23 October 2008
The concern of the Arab people in speedy implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) came to the fore as the global Stand Up sessions came to a conclusion with nearly 18 million people in Arab countries endorsing sustainable development goals.
According to the UN, 2 per cent of the world population - nearly 117 million people in 131 countries - stood up last weekend as part of its campaign to demand that world leaders keep their promises to halve extreme poverty and achieve the other Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by their target date of 2015.
The UAE which took up the seventh MDG of sustainable living and environment saw close to 140,000 people standing up in solidarity for a green earth under the Mission Green Earth - Stand up and Take Action 2008' campaign.
At the last count, Dubai alone recorded one in 11 residents of the emirate endorsing the sustainable living and environment goals. Commenting on the response from Arab countries and the UAE's share of voice in the global campaign, Rugmani Prabhakar, Executive Director of the International Association for Human Values (IAHV), one of the organisers of the Mission Green Earth campaign said: "Going by the huge response to the UN campaign, it is indeed a moving reality that so many of us in the UAE and the Arab world recognizes the need to pursue development goals in relation to environment and sustainability with responsibility and prudence.
We do believe that the Mission Green Earth campaign, which is part of the global campaign for MDGs, would lead to the UAE government taking positive steps to protect environment and promote sustainable living." Interestingly, according to the UN data on the campaign, over 73 million people in Asia, followed by Africa with more than 24 million stood up for MDGs. In the Arab world, some 400,000 students in the West Bank and 200,000 in Gaza stood up as part of an annual programme to teach them about the MDGs.
Reflecting on the UAE campaign and its positive ramifications to the society, Elise Bijon, Communications Officer, IHC, said: "We believe that the UAE has echoed a very strong united voice for a quick pursuit to fulfill the MDGS - in our case sustainable living and environment - by a huge number of people from all walks of life coming together to Stand Up for the green cause.
The gesture is also a strong reflection on the people of the UAE in joining for causes that matter to the global community in general, apart from contributing to the voice of concern over matters of sustainability and environment at home.
In the UAE, the Mission Green Earth campaign was 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 the International Humanitarian City (IHC) and Barclays Bank PLC.
It was organised by IAHV and Art of Living (AOL). Among the thousands of people who took part in the Stand Up in the UAE 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 others included 11,868 people in Sharjah, 6,679 in Abu Dhabi, 1,880 in Al Ain and 497 in Fujairah.
- Ends -
Editors Notes:
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: www.iahv.org and www.artofliving.org • Contact person: Sunila Muzawar • Phone: +971.50.6576014 • E-mail: media@missiongreenearth.ae
About the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP0
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 • 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: 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 • Contact person: Elise Bijon, Communications Officer, elise.bijon@ihc.ae; +971.4.3680226
About Barclay's Bank
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 • Contact person: Umayma Abubakar, Head of Corporate Affairs, Umayma.Abubakar@barclays.com; +971.4.3626740
For more information, Please contact: Jayakrishnan B
JamQ Communications FZ LLC
Phone: (O) 00971 43298313/(M) 00971 50 3629823/6962042/055 9114613
p: +971 4 3298313 fax: +971 4 3298312
p.o.b: 215277
Email: info@jam-q.com
website: www.jam-q.com
The concern of the Arab people in speedy implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) came to the fore as the global Stand Up sessions came to a conclusion with nearly 18 million people in Arab countries endorsing sustainable development goals.
According to the UN, 2 per cent of the world population - nearly 117 million people in 131 countries - stood up last weekend as part of its campaign to demand that world leaders keep their promises to halve extreme poverty and achieve the other Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by their target date of 2015.
The UAE which took up the seventh MDG of sustainable living and environment saw close to 140,000 people standing up in solidarity for a green earth under the Mission Green Earth - Stand up and Take Action 2008' campaign.
At the last count, Dubai alone recorded one in 11 residents of the emirate endorsing the sustainable living and environment goals. Commenting on the response from Arab countries and the UAE's share of voice in the global campaign, Rugmani Prabhakar, Executive Director of the International Association for Human Values (IAHV), one of the organisers of the Mission Green Earth campaign said: "Going by the huge response to the UN campaign, it is indeed a moving reality that so many of us in the UAE and the Arab world recognizes the need to pursue development goals in relation to environment and sustainability with responsibility and prudence.
We do believe that the Mission Green Earth campaign, which is part of the global campaign for MDGs, would lead to the UAE government taking positive steps to protect environment and promote sustainable living." Interestingly, according to the UN data on the campaign, over 73 million people in Asia, followed by Africa with more than 24 million stood up for MDGs. In the Arab world, some 400,000 students in the West Bank and 200,000 in Gaza stood up as part of an annual programme to teach them about the MDGs.
Reflecting on the UAE campaign and its positive ramifications to the society, Elise Bijon, Communications Officer, IHC, said: "We believe that the UAE has echoed a very strong united voice for a quick pursuit to fulfill the MDGS - in our case sustainable living and environment - by a huge number of people from all walks of life coming together to Stand Up for the green cause.
The gesture is also a strong reflection on the people of the UAE in joining for causes that matter to the global community in general, apart from contributing to the voice of concern over matters of sustainability and environment at home.
In the UAE, the Mission Green Earth campaign was 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 the International Humanitarian City (IHC) and Barclays Bank PLC.
It was organised by IAHV and Art of Living (AOL). Among the thousands of people who took part in the Stand Up in the UAE 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 others included 11,868 people in Sharjah, 6,679 in Abu Dhabi, 1,880 in Al Ain and 497 in Fujairah.
- Ends -
Editors Notes:
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: www.iahv.org and www.artofliving.org • Contact person: Sunila Muzawar • Phone: +971.50.6576014 • E-mail: media@missiongreenearth.ae
About the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP0
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 • 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: 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 • Contact person: Elise Bijon, Communications Officer, elise.bijon@ihc.ae; +971.4.3680226
About Barclay's Bank
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 • Contact person: Umayma Abubakar, Head of Corporate Affairs, Umayma.Abubakar@barclays.com; +971.4.3626740
For more information, Please contact: Jayakrishnan B
JamQ Communications FZ LLC
Phone: (O) 00971 43298313/(M) 00971 50 3629823/6962042/055 9114613
p: +971 4 3298313 fax: +971 4 3298312
p.o.b: 215277
Email: info@jam-q.com
website: www.jam-q.com
© Press Release 2008
