DUBAI: Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, has called on UAE residents to adopt activities and programmes that preserve environmental resources, with the aim of guaranteeing that they can both sufficiently support the country's needs, and adequately offer future generations a high quality of life.
Shaikh Hamdan’s announcement came during the clean-up of the marine environment in Dubai – the volunteering activity adopted as a result of the pioneering crowdsourcing platform launched last week. The platform received more than 6,000 ideas in six days and invited residents to propose volunteering ideas to implement on International Volunteer Day – ideas that both inspire, and encourage others to follow suit. Those who suggested the initiative were invited to accompany Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed on his quest.
Shaikh Hamdan expressed his delight in children's participation, namely Mohammad and Saeed Subaih Al Falasi, and Abdullah Ahmad AlMarri, as well as the involvement of more than 25 diving experts of different ages and nationalities.
"I was delighted to have received the suggestion of diving and cleaning the marine environment from the Emirati child Rashed Marwan AlMarri and Indian child Hanan Mohammad Ali – both who are not older than 12 years old. This is a testament to our children's awareness of the importance of preserving marine environment and ensuring that future generations get to enjoy a healthy and clean environment in the years to come," he said.
The Crown Prince of Dubai added, "Our city is our home. We are all responsible for its cleanliness and for sustaining its resources. This marks the first implementation of the thousands of ideas that we've received from the crowdsourcing platform launched last week. The activity conducted today not only raises awareness about the importance of preserving the environment but also effectively marries our vision for environmental volunteering and the country's efforts in this space."
"There's a clear correlation between environmental preservation and volunteer work, in large part because the environment affects all aspects of a community and those in it," he continued.
