Under the slogan “Climate Change – Why should I care? the British Council in partnership with Wadi Environmental Science Center (WESC) celebrated World Environment Day at Cairo’s Al Azhar Park on June 2.
The aim was to raise awareness of the phenomenon of climate change and highlight the role individuals can play in making a difference.
World Environment Day, initiated in 1972 by the United Nations, takes place every year on June 5, with different cities around the world taking turns to host festivals and activities related to the event.
In past years, the day was hosted in cities such as Barcelona, Spain; Tokyo, Japan; and Moscow, Russia. People from all over the world traveled to these cities to participate in activities which celebrate the protection of our planet.
The British Council however made a point of holding their event on June 2 so as not to coincide with the June 5 events organized by the Ministry of Environmental Affairs that they are supporting as well.
The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) statement released in February 2007 states:
“The day s agenda is to give a human face to environmental issues; empower people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development; promote an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing attitudes towards environmental issues; and advocate partnership, which will ensure all nations and peoples enjoy a safer and more prosperous future.
The statement added: “World Environment Day is a people s event with colorful activities such as street rallies, bicycle parades, green concerts, essays and poster competitions in schools, tree planting, as well as recycling and clean-up campaigns.
Last weekend’s event was no exception. The day was full of fun and enjoyable activities including environmental and scientific experiments, musical bands, go-kart races and “Alam Sim Sim (the local Sesame Street) show.
