Kuwait City, Kuwait – 1 April, 2013: Dow Chemical, in partnership with The en.v Initiative (en.v) and implementing partner K’S PATH (Kuwait Society for Protection of Animals and Their Habitat), today announced significant achievements of the Dow Marine Conservation Program (DMCP) during the first quarter of this year. Kick starting in its second edition earlier in 2013, The DMCP hosted two educational sessions at the Kuwait National English School (KNES) in January and organized a clean-up launch at the Sulaibakhat Mangrove beach in February. The DMCP was an active participant at the Kuwait University’s College of Engineering and Petroleum Open Day and also organized a beach clean-up during the month of March, with the participation of a number of educational institutions in Kuwait.
DMCP started the year strong by organizing its first two educational sessions in Jan 2013 at the Kuwait National English School (KNES) and attracted over 400 students from elementary school through to grade six. These sessions introduced students to Kuwait’s marine habitat, the impact of waste on wildlife and ways to adapt and implement responsible waste management, through the use of field photography, interactive demonstrations and audience engagement, with the help of 13 student volunteers. This subsequently led to KNES’s participation at the DMCP launch clean-up alongside a dynamic group of student volunteers from the Bayan Bilingual School (BBS).
“The Dow Marine Conservation Program continues to build upon its previous successes through a number of eventful activities and initiatives this year,” stated Jamel Attal, Managing Director, Dow Chemical in Kuwait. “At Dow, we believe in the importance of sustainable practices and we’re pleased to witness this program flourish and grow, while successfully attracting the attention of the local Kuwaiti community and encouraging them to play an active role in preserving Kuwait’s marine ecosystems.”
In February, Dow’s Marine Conservation Program (DMCP) held its clean-up launch at the Sulaibikhat Mangrove beach. The clean-up was attended by 69 volunteers, including students and staff from the Kuwait National English School (KNES) and the Bayan Bilingual School (BBS), along with members and volunteers from K’S PATH and representatives from Dow and en.v. All volunteers collected approximately 1,700 kgs of terrestrial marine waste, filling more than 200 waste bags across 1,500 sq m beach.
“We’ve hit the ground running this year with successful initiatives such as the DMCP and are thrilled with the continued support and interest that we’ve received from members of the Kuwaiti community to date,” stated Zahed Sultan, Managing Director of the The en.v Initiative. “We are excited to be taking part in an initiative that is encouraging community members to make a meaningful difference by adapting and implementing sustainable practices and playing an active role in preserving Kuwait’s rich coastal habitats.”
The DMCP was also present at the Kuwait University’s College of Engineering and Petroleum Open Day, where they played an active role in informing students about the importance of marine conservation and encouraged sign-ups. The DMCP booth displayed a mock beach set-up, Dow branded photo-collages from clean-ups and the DMCP banner. The DMCP received 60 sign-ups; 90% of which were from Kuwaiti nationals.
In March, students from grade eight to junior college from the American University of Kuwait (AUK) and Al Bayan Bilingual School (BBS) participated in activities organized by the DMCP, with more than 30+ volunteers, who took part in a beach clean-up held at the Sulaibikhat mangrove beach. The volunteers managed to collect approximately 400 kgs of waste.
“The DMCP has managed to demonstrate a significant role in protecting the coastal environments in Kuwait in such a short time. We are very excited with our progress so far and are looking forward to plan more educational sessions and clean-ups,” said Ayeshah Al Humaidhi, Executive Director of K’S PATH.
The partners are planning more educational visits and beach clean-ups for the second quarter of the year, engaging a variety of educational institutions and volunteers from different backgrounds.
Since its launch in April 2011, Dow’s Marine Conservation Program has collected over 11 tonnes of waste from over 85,500 sq.m. of Kuwait’s shoreline, engaged close to 512 volunteers and educated over 2400 students. The program’s concentrated efforts continue in order to protect and restore the rich marine ecosystem of beaches along Kuwait’s bay. These areas are abundant in marine life and coral reefs and serve as natural nesting grounds for turtles and migratory birds. Their fragile balance is endangered by indiscriminate disposal of direct and indirect man-made waste.
Dow’s Marine Conservation Program (DMCP) is an integral component of Al Yaal, a nationwide marine conservation initiative to protect Kuwait’s rich marine ecosystem and is in line with Dow, en.v and K’S PATH’ ongoing commitment to promote marine conservation in the State of Kuwait.
About Dow
Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines the power of science and technology to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company connects chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help address many of the world’s most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, renewable energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow’s diversified industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 160 countries and in high growth sectors such as electronics, water, energy, coatings and agriculture. In 2011, Dow had annual sales of $60 billion and employed approximately 52,000 people worldwide. The Company’s more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 197 sites in 36 countries across the globe. References to “Dow” or the “Company” mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at
http://www.dow.com.
About Dow in Kuwait
For 18 years, Dow and Petrochemical Industries Company K.S.C. (PIC) of Kuwait have shared one successful milestone after another, partnering on five industry-leading joint ventures: EQUATE Petrochemical Company, MEGlobal, EQUATE Marketing Company, The Kuwait Olefins Company (TKOC), and The Kuwait Styrene Company (TKSC). As the largest foreign investor, and the largest private employer of Kuwaiti nationals, through its JVs, in the petrochemicals industry in Kuwait, Dow has consistently promoted economic development and prosperity. Dow and PIC’s joint ventures combine Dow’s strong existing asset base, technology position and market presence. Dow’s partnership with Kuwait’s noted NGO, LoYAC is in line with Dow’s commitment to the communities in which it operates. LoYAC is known in Kuwait for its inspired, innovative youth education and activities program, such as Dow’s sole partnership of the F1 Schools Challenge, support of LoYAC’s award winning Drama Club and other youth developmental programs in Kuwait and abroad.
About en.v en.v (a subsidiary of El Boutique Creative Group http://www.elboutique.com) is an organization dedicated to promoting social responsibility and environmental sustainability in the Arab world. The organization’s activities include planning and implementing social development and environmental programs in the Middle East by creating strategic partnerships with local civil society organizations, governmental actors, and the private sector. Through collaborative efforts and online platforms, en.v raises awareness for pressing social issues as well as leading development initiatives in the MENA region.
About K’S PATH Founded in 2005 by Ayeshah Al-Humaidhi, the Kuwait Society for the Protection of Animals and Their Habitat (K’S PATH) is a non-profit animal welfare organization committed to improving the lives of animals in Kuwait and promoting environmental consciousness through habitat conservation and education programs. Its sustained marine conservation program alone has mobilized more than 900 volunteers, 30 schools and 20 organizations since its launch in 2011. Its purpose is to restore ecologically rich nesting grounds that are home to mangroves, flamingoes, mudskippers and hundreds of migratory bird species through weekly beach clean-ups and educational sessions. Additionally, K’S PATH has partnered with the Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) to assist in transforming the Abdaliya Nature Reserve from a reclaimed wasteland to a rich habitat thriving with indigenous and migratory species at all levels of the ecosystem. Meanwhile, K’S PATH’s work in animal welfare includes Kuwait’s first humane animal control program, covering an impressive 73% of Kuwait, to address stray dog and cat overpopulation using modern, humane methods. K’S PATH also runs the first and only open door shelter in Kuwait, accepting all species of animals into its care and providing them with food, shelter and medical care. Its goal is to subsequently adopt out and re-home companion animals whenever possible. The shelter facility also provides sanctuary or rehabilitation for native wildlife, farm animals, equine, and illegal exotic animals.
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For more information please contact:
The en.v Initiative
Tel: +965 2252- 4614
Fax: +965 2252-4615
Email : env@envearth.com
Web: http://www.envearth.com
Sager Albenali
Dow Pacific Holdings BV
Tel: +965 22 99 7979
Email: Albenali@dow.com
Faisal Khazal
Weber Shandwick Kuwait
Tel: +965.90960154
Email: Faisal.khazal@ws-mena.com
