?Stop Talking, Start Planting? was the message which over 200 enthusiastic green crusaders pledged at the 4^th environmental academy conducted by Green Hope UAE at the JSS Private School auditorium today, the 26^th of October. I am the  Global Coordinator of Children and Youth at UNEP and also the Global President of the Children?s board at Plant-for-the-Planet, a Germany based international environment organization which believes in empowering children in the fight for Climate Justice.

In my  role as the UAE?s academy coordinator, I conducted the country?s first Plant-for-the –Planet academy one year ago and the huge turnout and response encouraged her to hold one every quarter since. Students attended from a multitude of schools many of them leaving as early as 6am from Abu Dhabi to be in time for the registration at 8am.

It was a day long event attended by children and youth ranging from ages  5 to 18 years. Addressing such a diverse age group is always a challenge but the interactive presentations, group activity , workshop , quiz and role play made it an extremely engrossing event. Teachers from several schools also attended the academy and were very keen to engage further with our youth group,Green Hope UAE?s, future activities .

The highlight of the day was the planting of 206 saplings which was an emphatic green statement by the participants who pledged to plant a million trees in their lifetime.

It was widely reported in the media as below :

GULF NEWS :

http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/environment/going-green-is-serious-business-for-uae-youth-1.1247347

KHALEEJ  TIMES

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/kt-article-display-1.asp?xfile=/data/nationgeneral/2013/October/nationgeneral_October361.xml&section=nationgeneral

GULF TODAY :

http://gulftoday.ae/portal/0e75a8ce-8f63-4624-a4d7-0776ef0833d9.aspx