The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment joined the global celebration of World Water Day on March 22 this year. “The geographical and climactic conditions of the country show an absence of natural water sources, lack of rain and increasingly hot temperatures. These have become challenges in the move to provide the country with a stable supply of water,” Dr Thani Ahmad Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment.
The use of renewable energy has been a priority for the wise leadership of the UAE.
- Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan
“As part of our Corporate Social Responsibility, and to achieve the directives of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to achieve sustainable development in the emirate, Dewa is committed to annually celebrate this occasion, renewing our commitment to the rational use of natural resources,” said Saeed Mohammad Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa).
Water statistics
Dewa continuously organises awareness programmes and innovative initiatives, and presents awards to encourage the community. Dewa saved 5.6 billion imperial gallons of water between 2009 and 2015.
The international demand for water will increase from 4,500 billion cubic metres to 6,900 billion cubic metres in 2030.
A third of the population in most developing countries live in areas where water shortages amount to over 50 per cent.
This demand will be met by developing traditional ways of producing water, and making use of new resources, although this will not be enough to meet major requirements to tackle water scarcity.
The UAE has paid close attention to this, and has worked diligently to take all the necessary steps to rationalise its water usage for both irrigation and drinking purposes.
Based on a decree by Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid, the UAE Water Aid Foundation was formed. Since its establishment, the Foundation has become a distinguished organisation that provides humanitarian aid to the needy and distressed around the world.
UAE healing the strained fabric of war-torn Yemen
The UAE is committed to rebuilding Yemen in the long term. In the short term, it is important to ensure that Yemenis who now live in liberated areas receive the medical aid and humanitarian assistance that have been denied to them during the vacuous rule under Al Houthi gangs. The total aid provided to Yemen between April 2015 and November 2017 by the UAE reached Dh9.4 billion.
Emirates Red Crescent’s urgent intervention comes as part of the long-standing commitment of the UAE to provide humanitarian relief, medical assistance, immediate aid, shelter and development to the people of Yemen. The UAE is currently carrying out a massive daily humanitarian campaign in the area of the country’s Red Sea coast distributing humanitarian and relief supplies to people who have been suffering as a result of militia-imposed blockades, following major victories by Arab allies.
The efforts are part of the keenness of the UAE leadership to support the Yemeni people, in accordance with the values and charitableness of Founding Father Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The humanitarian assistance being provided by the Emirates Red Crescent include the distribution of around 2,000 food baskets to local residents.
In a new report by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), The UAE spends more on aid to develop other countries than any other nation on earth compared to its wealth. Data published by the Paris-based organisation, which has a membership of 35 developed countries, noted that the UAE spent Dh15.23 billion worth of development assistance. This increases in donation are remarkable, keeping in mind the past two years — 2017 and 2018 — declared as the Year of Giving and the Year of Zayed respectively.
Learning leadership
Schools in UAE should inspire students and teachers to work towards an educational experience that supports unique ideas
The UAE observed 2017 as the Year of Giving to encourage a culture of charity among residents. President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has declared 2018 as the Year of Zayed to commemorate Founding Father Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s 100th birth anniversary. Everyone wants to know what the Year of Zayed is all about.
The Year of Zayed seeks to achieve several objectives, including highlighting Shaikh Zayed’s role in establishing the UAE and consolidating its foundations as a modern, progressive nation, with an emphasis on its local, regional and global achievements, which continue to form the basis of its progress.
The Year of Zayed aims to create awareness on the role Shaikh Zayed who was the backbone of the development of this great nation.
Harnessing innovation
The Crescent English High School aims at inculcating innovation in the education field and encouraging the use of new or improved approaches. It is one of the most effective drivers of economic growth in the modern era for stimulating entrepreneurship and enterprise. The UAE Vision 2021 sets out the National Agenda for the UAE to be among the most innovative nations in the world
Fostering a culture of innovation, in line with the UAE National Innovation Strategy, involves creating the conditions and giving meaningful opportunities across all subjects and phases. Students, teachers and leaders are slowly moving towards developing their creativity, resilience, higher-order thinking, courage to take risks, and incubate, deliver and use new ideas and approaches.
A culture of innovation in schools in the UAE should include an educational experience whereby students, teachers and leaders are inspired and supported in realising their unique ideas and approaches to develop enterprising and entrepreneurial outcomes.
The students at Crescent join hands with the facilitators to promote this culture and we share our ideas to bring in this culture and move towards the common goal.
Pioneering student preparation in Crescent’s K-12 education system for a productive life in a dynamic world will ensure sustainable development for the UAE society.
As will working together to promote the UAE K-12 educational system, investing in human capital to build a knowledge-based society while enriching citizenship values.
Student well-being census is a great step
Dubai Student Wellbeing Census reveals they are confident and happy
The first-ever Dubai Student Wellbeing Census was conducted online for over 65,000 grade 6-9 students from over 168 schools.
The survey collected information about how students feel and think about their own wellbeing. I enjoyed participating in the survey and found many tips to enrich my wellbeing.
The results reveal that students are confident, happy and have many friends.
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority partnered with the South Australian government to conduct the census.
The Dubai Wellbeing Census was supported by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
As a student, I was highly impressed with the degree of concern that the UAE Government is extending to students’ happiness and wellbeing.
