BSB students attend Green Hope conference in Dubai

Manama: British School of Bahrain (BSB) delegates flew to Dubai to attend the Green Hope UAE World Environment Day conference on June 8. 

They were welcomed by Kehkashan Basu, the founder president of Green Hope UAE, a youth-led organisation working for sustainable development. 

Fifteen-year-old Basu has received a plethora of accolades including the International Diana Award, which recognises the Princess of Wales’ belief that young people have the power to change the world for the better. She has also worked as UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) Global Coordinator for Children & Youth. 

Basu led the delegates through a diverse and fun-filled weekend, and the students learned much from her inspirational leadership. 

The students visited a nature reserve established to preserve and protect the surrounding environment and the indigenous animals and plants that inhabit it. They planted mangrove trees under the guidance of “Major Ali”. 

As the president of Emirates Marine Environmental Group, a non-profit group under the patronage of Shaikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid, Major Al Suweidi was responsible for founding the nature reserve that has rescued thousands of reptiles and marine animals, and has transported hundreds of young mangrove trees from resort sites in Abu Dhabi. 

The students witnessed young turtles making their way out to sea, thanks to the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Programme. The Hawksbill turtle, native to the Middle East, is listed as critically endangered with only an estimated 8,000 nesting females left worldwide. They visited the reserve on the releasing of Hawksbills to mark World Environment Day on Sunday. 

They also visited the Sustainable City, a multi-million dirham residential project, and the first net zero energy city in Dubai. The complex features recycling facilities, biomes for growing food, grey water usage, an entertainment centre, souq and a school with a focus on ecological education. 

UN Environment Programme (West Asia) Regional Representative and Director Iyad Abumoghli, eminent international sustainability expert Brendon Jack and Dima Abo Kous from the International Fund for Animal Welfare shared their insightful messages with the youth attendees during the conference.