Most Environmentally Sustainable Projects will be selected from schools across Sharjah

Sharjah, UAE - January 22nd 2013: The Bee'ah School of Environment - an initiative created by Bee'ah, the Middle East's leading and award-winning integrated environment and waste management company - along with its partners the Sharjah Education Zone (SEZ) and Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS), have officially opened its Call for Nominations today, for the Sharjah Environment Awareness Award, created under the direction of H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, member of the Supreme Council of the UAE and Ruler of Sharjah. This annual competition, now in its third year, aims to recognise and honour schools within Sharjah, in special accomplishments, academic excellence, school spirit, and projects in promoting the environment.

The announcement was made today during a press conference at the Bee'ah Headquarters, by Meera Taryam, Awareness and Education Manager at Bee'ah, Bahia Shehab from the Sharjah Education Zone (SEZ) and Khadija Ba Makhirma of the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS).

"Being at the forefront of positive environmental change, Bee'ah and our partners aim to help and encourage our society to lead sustainable lifestyles for a better UAE environment," announced Meera Taryam. "We have created the Sharjah Environmental Awareness Award to honour the schools in Sharjah for their environmentally sustainable projects, so as to encourage both teachers and students to work together and set their school as a leading example within our community."

"I am confident that this award will provide all schools an opportunity to spread environmental knowledge, in order for every member in our community to become aligned with a united understanding in what it means to take care of our country and have the same responsibilities towards a clean and green environment," added Bahia Shehab of the Sharjah Education Zone.

"The Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services has always focused on environmental issues which ultimately have an effect on humanitarian matters, including pollution and unhealthy practices," said Khadija Ba Makhirma. "The successes of the Sharjah Environment Awareness Award and the competitive spirit it has created amongst all the schools and students in Sharjah, has led to many creative projects and innovative initiatives that instill a sense of determination towards the sustainability of our environment."

The Sharjah Environment Awareness Award is an ongoing competition designed to help teachers coach pupils on environmental responsibility using Bee'ah School of Environment programmes and activities. More than 60 different schools and nurseries have participated in the past, with over 18 schools awarded for their outstanding efforts towards protecting the environment. Those schools actively involved their students in a range of creative and educational projects, in all aspects of the environment including preserving natural resources, reducing waste disposal, conserving water and protecting biodiversity.

Application to the awards are open to all schools within the Emirate of Sharjah from nursery to grade 12, and this year will have the opportunity to showcase their knowledge and creativity for 12 awards in 7 categories.

Submission of school portfolios are open until the 30th of April, 2013, after which all nominations will undergo two rounds of rigorous selection by the judging committee comprised of 8 representatives from Bee'ah, the Sharjah Education Zone and Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS). They will thoroughly evaluate all submitted nominations based on originality and creativity, relevance to the chosen theme and quality of their report, and then conduct visits to the shortlisted schools to witness for themselves how those projects have been implemented.

Winners will be announced at a closing ceremony on the occasion of the World Environment Day on the 5th of June, 2013. Each of the winning schools will receive cash prizes of 30,000 AED for first place while second place will receive 15,000 AED along with a prestigious award trophy and certificate of recognition for their sustainable achievements.

For information on the awards can be found on www.seaa.ae.

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About Bee'ah School of Environment:
In line with this mandate, Bee'ah launched the Bee'ah School of Environment (BSOE) on 6th October 2010, supported by the Sharjah Education Zone (SEZ) and sponsored by various corporate partners. It is a bilingual (English and Arabic) environmental education initiative that consists of a range of engaging, fun and interactive environmental lesson plans that are designed to be applied in classrooms. The material can be downloaded from www.bsoe.ae and integrated into existing curricula.

In 2012, Bee'ah School was awarded "Best Environmental & Awareness Educational Initiative" by the Green Middle East Awards for Environmental Excellence, and was also awarded the Arabia CSR Award in 2011, in recognition for its educational and community commitment initiatives in the Middle East.

© Press Release 2013