UAE

Children's environment book spawns e-versions

Children as young as six will be able to learn about the environment and wildlife conservation with a computer program based on a widely used book.

Daniel Bardsley
Daniel Bardsley

October 21, 2008

ABU DHABI // Children as young as six will be able to learn about the environment and wildlife conservation with a computer program based on a widely used book. The Enviro-Spellathon, which was created by the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) and Emirates Wildlife Society, has already been used by 675,000 pupils in 545 government and private schools since its launch in 2001. It is now being offered to pupils aged six to 13 and will be used in 700 schools over the next two years, in a CD and an online version, it was announced yesterday.

Launched in book form seven years ago and initially focused on spelling, the Enviro-Spellathon was updated and expanded to become a broader environmental-education project. The original name was kept because the program had become well known. The CD, available in English and Arabic includes resources for teachers, classroom activities and links to environmental organisations. Razan Khalifa al Mubarak, director of the wildlife society, said: "When you consider that the future existence of the natural environment lies in the hands of our school children, as they are the citizens of tomorrow, the importance of the programme cannot be overestimated."

Topics such as marine life, energy use, waste production and litter are included. dbardsley@thenational.ae

Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

Our legal columnist

Name: Yousef Al Bahar

Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994

Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers

Film: In Syria
Dir: Philippe Van Leeuw
Starring: Hiam Abbass, Diamand Bo Abboud, Mohsen Abbas and Juliette Navis
Verdict: Four stars

When Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi

  

 

 

 

Known as The Lady of Arabic Song, Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi on November 28, 1971, as part of celebrations for the fifth anniversary of the accession of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as Ruler of Abu Dhabi. A concert hall was constructed for the event on land that is now Al Nahyan Stadium, behind Al Wahda Mall. The audience were treated to many of Kulthum's most well-known songs as part of the sold-out show, including Aghadan Alqak and Enta Omri.