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SIMRAN VEDVYAS – FIRST PRIZE WINNER OF THE INTERNATIONAL PRESENTATION AWARD BY SAMSUNG ENGINEERING
AT 2012 GLOBAL YOUTH FOR THE ENVIRONMENT FORUM.
NOW APPOINTED AS TUNZA ECO GENERATION REGIONAL AMBASSADOR MIDDLE EAST
http://tunza.eco-generation.org/forumBoardView.jsp?forumListID=9&viewID=795&searchType=&searchName=&pageNumber=1

2012 GYEF- Report and Sharing the Winning Moment-Eco Generation

(AnYoungHaSeYo)

I am a student of The Millennium School –Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Tunza Eco Generation member

I travelled to Seoul, South Korea to attend the 2012 Global Youth for the Environment Forum, held at Seoul National University, 21st– 22nd February 2012.

This forum was hosted by Samsung Engineering and Korea Green Foundation and organized by Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Seoul National University.

I was invited to the forum with all-expenses paid trip as delegate and I emerged as the ultimate winner for my presentation PROJECT EARTH which focused on Water Conservation being awarded Samsung Engineering Prize and Samsung mini lap-top computer, from amongst 8 presenters each of three International Delegate Teams. I also participated in the Quiz and won souvenirs during the session. I got a chance to share my views with the media in S. Korea and a movie presentation made by my on sustainable development titled My Dream City was showcased too.

I share my experiences of meeting over 400 delegate students, about 300 from South Korea and 100 International Delegates, including students from Indonesia, India, Philippines, Saudi Arabia and UAE. This Forum gave me the opportunity to listen to some very motivating presentations made by the key-note speakers, participate in some interesting activities, learn and share the experiences of young minds from around the world who share the same passion as me.

The lectures were diverse and addressed important issues like- How mobile phone could harm human health?, Environment, Economy and Human Beings, Wandering Wetlands and Ecological- UK¿s effort on Climate Change. I also enjoyed 180 degrees Pole to Pole trip adventure experience by James Hooper and Law of the Jungle presented by the famous actor Ricky Kim.

I now look forward to participating in 2 International Conferences in the coming month March 2012 and conducting an assigned workshop during the Round Square Regional Conference themed BE THE CHANGE, 21st -25th March 2012. This International Conference is hosted by The Millennium School Dubai and will bring together around 200 bright minds from the region. The conference aims to act as a wakeup call to take charge, lead and make a difference because each one of us has the power within us to create the life we want to live. There are many things in this world we need to change and it is not only just about the environment, we must take a balanced approach. We must learn to accept change and make a positive difference to the lives of others and the world.

Before I conclude I need to say that I learnt a lot from this forum and made some more friends, and I am so thankful to Samsung Engineering, Eco Generation Team and also Korea Green Foundation for conducting the event so well and being such a wonderful host.

Thank You

Simran Vedvyas

UAE | Environment
UAE youngster determined to save the environment
Thirteen-year-old Simran Vedvyas is dedicated to saving the environment and ensuring future generations see a brighter, greener future

Dubai: UAE youngster shows her determination to save the environment to the local and international community

Thirteen-year-old Simran Vedvyas is dedicated to saving the environment and ensuring future generations see a brighter, greener future.

For the past six years the Millennium School Dubai student, has been an environmental advocate in the UAE and an active member of the Emirates Environmental Group. Every year she not only participates in events like Earth Hour, clean up drives, can collection drives, and tree planting, but dedicates her time to spreading awareness about the need to save the environment and the need for sustainable development.

She told Gulf News that she wishes to ”address and reach out to as many as I can and continue to promote ideas for a sustainable living.”

In order to do this, Vedvyas has taken her message to both the local and international stage.

She recently attended the 6th World Water Forum, held in Marseille, France from March 12 -17 after receiving an invitation from the event’s organisers.

She communicated with their key youth movements and youth coordination team and joined a group called the Youth Water Movement.

The group, comprising about 300 youth from across the world, came together to draft the Youth Vision, a document where they noted what they wanted to do to save the environment and what actions they were going to take. They also called on decision makers to address their concerns and engage with them on all levels.

She said: ”As crucial stakeholders, we youth share the responsibility and necessity of combating the global water crisis. It impacts us all and we all need to implement solutions.

”If there is magic on earth, it is contained in water, and this is why we should protect it, this is why we are all here, and this is why we should save it.”

Fresh off her return from France, she attended the Round Square Regional Junior Conference in Dubai as a delegate. At the event, which was held from March 21 to 25, she conducted an interactive workshop called ‘Be the Change’.

This international conference was hosted by her school and brought together around 200 youth from across the region.

She said: ”The conference aimed to act as a wakeup call [to those involved] to take charge, lead and make a difference because each one of us has the power within us to create the life we want to live.

”There are many things in this world we need to change and it is not only just about the environment. We must take a balanced approach. We must learn to accept change and make a positive difference in the lives of others and in the world.”

Published: 20:47 March 29, 2012
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/environment/uae-youngster-determined-to-save-the-environment-1.1001635

WE HAVE TO BE THINKING OF EARTH EACH MOMENT- BY SIMRAN VEDVYAS, as published in the region’s leading daily newspaper ”Gulf News” on 3.4.2012

It’s just 60 minutes. It’s for the benefit of our ’Mother Earth’.
Undoubtedly the World’s largest public action for the Environment, had thousands of enthusiastic residents and youth from Dubai, United Arab Emirates join together to promote and be part of the Earth Hour 2012, with the rest of the world, when it went dark at 8.30 pm-9.30 pm on 31.03.2012 in a symbolic annual historic moment of action on climate change at Burj Plaza, where Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building led the show. The Earth Hour 2012 Event that took place at Burj Plaza was truly a magnificent sight. People from all corners of the city gathered at the site ahead of time and switched off the lights in support for the environment during ‘Earth Hour’. The purpose of this event, on one hand, was to highlight the facts pertaining to the amount of energy used within Dubai and saved last year by the residents’ participation in Earth Hour and on the other, also, to join in the “Earth Hour Walk” and show the world that Dubai cares for the Living Environment. Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoom, Crown Prince of Dubai, and with the support of the Supreme Energy Council and Emaar in association Emirates Wildlife Society (EWS-WWF), Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) and others made it happen.
I, Simran Vedvyas along with two more friends of mine Aishwarya Shetty and Sayyeda Zahra volunteered with Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), EWS-WWF, and Emirates Environmental Group, Dubai, to participate in the Earth Hour 2012. As a volunteer, our job participating and encouraging others, communicating about the initiatives and energy saving that can be done as guided and briefed by the officials from DEWA. As volunteer we were assigned to ‘Light the candles’ and let world see the EARTH HOUR DUBAI lit in candles. I have always been keen on spreading awareness and reaching out, to people from different walks of life through such events, and, it has constantly been on my priority list to participate at ‘The Earth Hour’ every year. I am appointed as TUNZA Eco Generation Regional Ambassador Middle East and since 1st March 2012 onwards, I tried uniting people to protect the planet by encouraging them to find out ‘what’s happening in their cities and by participating in the Earth Hour’, though internet postings and blogs. Many of my friends, and neighbors not only from Dubai but also from South Korea, India and Indonesia committed and joined in.
As a youth living in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, I understand the situation and crisis that the world is facing today with increased energy demands and depleting energy resources. The solutions and action to deal with the predicament are not enough. Some of us are convincing as we make resolutions towards a greener future but the results have to be more promising. This is why the youth like me, are determined to make a change by collaborating efforts to walk on the path towards sustainability.
There were many activities including stalls arranged, stage events, magic shows and characters dressed to give energy saving messages to all coming in. The best was to witness thousands walk in the dark with candles in their hands and save energy. The response for the evening was amazing. Without a doubt, it’s shown how great things can be achieved when people come together for a common cause. Residents participating had fun and also felt content, that they were part of the change and a good cause. DEWA, going ahead with this year’s theme of ‘I will if you will- Dare the world’ challenged the residents to save 230,000 kilowatts hours during Earth Hour 2012. I am hopeful that DEWA with the support of the residents reaches the target of saving from 204,000 kwh in 2011 to 230,000 kwh in 2012, so that all of us can look forward to another eventful fundraising ‘Victory Walk’ on World Earth Day to celebrate the savings accomplished.
Other public events that also took place in UAE during Earth Hour 2012, I am told included a public celebration with a drumming spectacular at Corniche Beach-Abu Dhabi, a family event at Al Majaz Park- Sharjah, an acoustic concert by music band ‘Fusion Again’ at Al Manar Mall- Ras al Khaima, a public event with floating candles and lanterns in Fujairah and many other community events took place at various locations. For those who couldn’t make it, it’s time to realize the difference you can make by contributing.
It is NOW or NEVER and it is TODAY not TOMORROW.
It’s more than just 60 minutes. It’s for the benefit of the blue sphere and our own ‘Planet Earth’, so -Go Beyond Earth Hour! To save energy by switching off the lights and appliances those are not needed.

LINKS-

http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/community-reports/we-have-to-be-thinking-of-earth-each-moment-1.1003217

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle09.asp?xfile=data/theuae/2012/March/theuae_March954.xml&section=theuae