EEG celebrates silver jubilee of youth empowerment

In a landmark moment marking 25 years of environmental advocacy and youth empowerment, the Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) proudly concluded the 25th Cycle of one of its most impactful educational programmes targeting the intermediate and secondary school students; known as the “Inter-School Environmental Public Speaking Competition.”

It is a flagship national initiative that continues to serve as a dynamic platform for nurturing the voices and visions of tomorrow’s environmental leaders.

Held from May 5-8, 2025 at the Taaleem Centre in Al Barsha, this milestone edition brought together 702 students from 117 schools across the UAE in a celebration of knowledge, innovation and civic responsibility.

The event concluded on a celebratory note with an exciting awards ceremony.

After a highly competitive and inspiring four days, Global Indian International School, Dubai, under the topic: Urbanisation vs. Wellbeing: The Role of Sustainable Cities in Public Health, emerged as the Champion of the 25th Cycle, succeeding the 2024 titleholder, Delhi Private School Dubai.

EEG extends heartfelt congratulations to all the students, teachers and schools for their tireless efforts and meaningful contributions.

The Silver Jubilee of this esteemed competition is a testament to EEG’s unwavering dedication to integrating environmental education into the heart of academic and youth development. It stands as the longest-running and most impactful educational outreach programme in the UAE, designed to elevate environmental literacy while empowering students to become agents of change.

Through the power of dialogue, public speaking, critical thinking and research, this programme offers students aged 13 to 18 the opportunity to engage in solution-oriented discussions on some of the world’s most pressing environmental and sustainability issues.

In her stirring opening address, Habiba Al Mar’ashi, the Co-Founder and Chairperson of EEG, reflected on the legacy of this initiative and the incredible journey it has taken over the last two and a half decades.

“What began as a modest initiative has evolved into a national movement that is empowering the youth with the tools, knowledge and confidence to confront environmental challenges of our time. The competition is about inspiring ownership, responsibility and vision amongst the youth. It is about shaping the leaders who will build the sustainable future we all aspire to,” she stated.

She further added: “This year’s cycle was held under the spirit of the “Year of Community,” declared by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE highlighting the importance of collective engagement and social cohesion. It is through platforms like these that we strengthen the social fabric of our nation and ignite a sense of purpose amongst the youth—motivating them to take action, not just in classrooms, but in their homes, communities and future careers.”

The programme goes beyond its immediate educational value—it is a powerful contributor to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). This year’s topics and themes were aligned with Goal #3: Good Health and Well-Being, Goal #4: Quality Education, Goal #7: Affordable and Clean Energy, Goal #9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Goal #11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, Goal #12: Responsible Consumption and Production, Goal #13: Climate Action, Goal #14: Life Below Water, Goal #15: Life on Land and Goal #17: Partnerships for the Goals.

The integration of these global goals into the competition ensures that students are educated on environmental matters and are equipped with a systems-thinking approach that views sustainability as a holistic and interconnected priority.

The true legacy of the Inter-School Environmental Public Speaking Competition lies in its transformational, long-term impact on students and the wider society.

Over its 25-year journey, the competition has influenced thousands of young minds, fostering a deep-rooted sense of environmental responsibility and stewardship as well as ownership and leadership.