KUWAIT CITY, Aug 20: Marwa Abel, Head of the Capacity Building Unit at the Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment (ROPME), confirmed that the second edition of the ‘Blue Pioneer’ camp, organized by ROPME in cooperation with the Environment Public Authority (EPA), offers a unique experience in environmental awareness through the two-week program. Abel disclosed that the camp includes interactive activities, practical applications and field visits. She said the participants engage in practical experiences from the first day, enhancing their knowledge of the marine environment and developing their skills.
She explained that the primary goal is to instill environmental responsibility in children and youths, as well as to familiarize them with the fact that the sea is not just a place for recreation, but rather an integrated system encompassing organisms, habitats and ecosystems that require protection. She added that the camp’s objective is to teach participants to interact with the sea responsibly, given its direct connection to human life, particularly in the areas of water and food security. She pointed out that the sea is an important source of food and fish stocks, and that pollutants reaching it could have negative repercussions for humans through the food chain.
Meanwhile, Bashayer Al-Qattan from the Public Relations Department at EPA affirmed that investing in human capital is fundamental to achieving sustainable development, indicating that the students are the future of Kuwait. She said the camp introduces young people to the importance of protecting the environment and marine resources, as well as familiarizing them with the efforts of governmental and private entities in this field through a practical and interactive program. Several organizations participated in the camp like the Scientific Center, Public Authority for Food and Nutrition (PAFN), Aquamarine Company and Kuwait Oil Company (KOC).
Participants set up and care for their own fish tanks, in addition to visiting the Ahmed Al-Jaber Oil and Gas Complex to learn about the history of oil, its importance to the country, and the relationship between oil activity and environmental responsibility. Other activities include a visit to the fish market to learn about the types of fish found in the Kuwaiti environment, methods of preserving them, criteria for selecting fresh fish, and procedures for monitoring, collecting, testing and analyzing samples in laboratories. Registration for the camp witnessed a large turnout, with applicants subject to age and academic level requirements and personal interviews. Around 30 students are participating after passing the selection process. The second edition of the camp began on Aug 16 and will conclude on Aug 26.
Field activities include a visit to the General Directorate of Coast Guard to learn about its efforts in protecting the marine environment and the dangers of harmful behaviors, particularly littering and plastic dumping into the sea and its impact on marine life and habitats. The program includes a visit to the Scientific Center to learn about local marine life, fish species, and their nutritional needs. Al-Qattan emphasized the importance of continuous cooperation between government agencies, specialized organizations, and the private sector in building a generation equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to protect the environment.
By Inaas Awadh Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff
