-Online, interactive educational programme to educate children on environmental issues -

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 7 December 2009: The Emirates Wildlife Society in association with WWF (EWS-WWF) have joined together with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) through an MoU agreement to introduce the Interactive Enviro-Spellathon as an extracurricular activity in Dubai schools from the academic year 2009 – 2010.

The new partnership will aim to bring the importance of the environment into classrooms through the Interactive Enviro-Spellathon programme, www.envirospellathon.com. The highly successful online teaching resource is designed to educate school children between the ages of six (6) and fourteen (14) years old, with the aim of increasing their knowledge and awareness of the distinctive natural habitat of the UAE as well as local and global conservation issues.

“This is an excellent example of how we can work closely with governmental organizations and educators to strengthen and advance the knowledge base of our country on environmental issues,” said Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Managing Director of EWS-WWF. “As a regular extra-curricular activity, the Interactive Enviro-Spellathon will not only educate students about the natural habitat of the UAE, but will also encourage them to engage in wider environmental issues and pass on this knowledge to their families.”

Beyond teaching a basic understanding of fauna, flora, habitats and environmental behaviour, the educational programme explains the link between consumption patterns and the impact of humans on nature, therefore stressing the importance of sustainable living practices in response to climate change amongst other challenges.

The agreement outlines several areas of collaboration, including support, training, educator development and student engagement. KHDA will encourage schools to run the interactive programme, and urge teachers to make use of the excellent resource materials for their lessons and discussions of environmental issues in classes

On behalf of KHDA, Fatima Al Marri, CEO of Dubai schools Agency of KHDA Said: “Our endorsement of the Interactive Enviro-Spellathon is reflective of our aim to raise the capability of students and enable them to be part of the social and economic growth of Dubai. An important step has been taken to help further nurture responsible citizens of tomorrow that fully understand the need to create an environmentally sustainable Dubai. Interactive Enviro-Spellathon is poised to deliver practical daily examples of how children can play their part in protecting the environment.”

The MoU is part of an ongoing effort by the EWS-WWF to increase an awareness of local and global environmental issues amongst students in the UAE. Earlier this year, it conducted an in-depth survey of under 15 year olds that revealed concerning gaps in student knowledge on the specific subjects of wildlife and the environment of the UAE.

Education & Awareness Manager, EWS-WWF, Rashmi De Roy pointed out the significance of the MOU signing; “Importantly our previous survey indicated a genuine level of interest in wildlife and a desire of students to protect the environment in which they live. Now with the backing of the KHDA we have a great platform to capture and inspire young people by formally introducing the Interactive Enviro-Spellathon to schools in Dubai.”

The agreement commences from the start of the new academic year for Dubai schools in 2010. KHDA will support the introduction of the Interactive Enviro-Spellathon into Dubai schools as part of the MoU’s overall vision to entrust the future of the UAE’s natural heritage to citizens who understand and respect its value.