Emirates has selected
an education programme in Western Province as one of three wildlife protection
and environmental conservation projects in Africa to receive funding under its
‘A Greener Tomorrow’ initiative.
African Parks will use
the funding from ‘A Greener Tomorrow’ to support educational development for
community who live within Liuwa Plain National Park in Zambia.
The Organisation will
provide educational tablet computers and employ additional teaching assistants
within the schools in the park. Improved access to education is expected to
decrease the pressure on wildlife and natural resources of the park.
African Parks, along
with the Southern African Wildlife College Trust and Southern African
Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds,were selected from a global
pool of applicants working towards environmental sustainability and
conservation in their respective regions.
Launched in 2013, ‘A
Greener Tomorrow’ is an outcome of Emirates' commitment to sustainability
and environmental conservation globally.
The programme provides
a share of up to US$ 150,000 in funding to not-for-profit organisations across
the world working innovatively to safeguard and improve their local
environments.
The funds for the
initiative are raised through internal recycling programmes within the Emirates
Group that process materials ranging from paper from Emirates’ offices to seat
components on board aircraft.
Following the
overwhelming response received for the initiative in its first year, Emirates
decided to continue the programme for a second time in 2016.
Applications for
funding under ‘A Greener Tomorrow’ were initially assessed by a committee
comprised of senior executives from the Emirates Group and members of the
Environment team.
Shortlisted applicants were then invited to present their
project proposal in detail to the committee for further evaluation in order to
select the winners.
Emirates Vice President
of International, Government and Environment Affairs WILL LӦFBERG said sustainability and concern for the environment
are part of Emirates’ core values and that
the organisation will constantly strive towards reducing the impact of it operations
on the natural environment.
He added that Emirates through
‘A Greener Tomorrow’ is able to support organisations that work at the
grassroots level in engaging with communities to conserve the environment.
He has expressed
delight at the positive impact that the winners of the first ‘A Greener
Tomorrow’ initiative had on their communities and adding that his organisation
looks forward to supporting this year’s winners.”
The three organisations that have been selected for funding under ‘A Greener Tomorrow’ are:
African Parks
African Parks is a not-for-profit organisation established in 2000 that takes on the direct, long-term management of national parks and protected areas in partnership with governments in order to save wildlife restore landscapes and ensure sustainable livelihoods for local communities.
African Parks will use
the funding from ‘A Greener Tomorrow’ to support educational development within
the Barotse community who live within Liuwa Plain National Park in Zambia.
African Parks will
provide educational tablet computers and employ additional teaching assistants
within the schools in the park. Improved access to education is expected to
decrease the pressure on wildlife and natural resources of the park.
Southern African Wildlife College Trust - SAWCT
SAWCT was established in 1996 by the World Wide Fund for Nature, South Africa (WWF South Africa) in close cooperation with national and provincial government departments, and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Since its start in 1996 the College has trained close to 15,000 students from 46 countries in natural resource management and conservation practices. Through funding from Emirates’ ‘A Greener Tomorrow’ initiative SAWCT - a Trust set up by WWF SA in support of the College - will provide three scholarships and two bursaries for their certificate programmes in nature conservation to students who already work in the conservation area but who do not have formal educational to advance their careers. These qualifications will help students move into roles such as wildlife area managers, park rangers and senior field rangers, working to protect wildlife parks within southern Africa.
Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds - SANCCOB
SANCCOB is a marine non-profit organisation in South Africa which protects, treats and conserves seabirds and endangered species such as the African penguin.
Southern African Wildlife College Trust - SAWCT
SAWCT was established in 1996 by the World Wide Fund for Nature, South Africa (WWF South Africa) in close cooperation with national and provincial government departments, and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Since its start in 1996 the College has trained close to 15,000 students from 46 countries in natural resource management and conservation practices. Through funding from Emirates’ ‘A Greener Tomorrow’ initiative SAWCT - a Trust set up by WWF SA in support of the College - will provide three scholarships and two bursaries for their certificate programmes in nature conservation to students who already work in the conservation area but who do not have formal educational to advance their careers. These qualifications will help students move into roles such as wildlife area managers, park rangers and senior field rangers, working to protect wildlife parks within southern Africa.
Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds - SANCCOB
SANCCOB is a marine non-profit organisation in South Africa which protects, treats and conserves seabirds and endangered species such as the African penguin.
It is recognised internationally
as a leader in the field of seabird rehabilitation with veterinary staff
working work around the clock, 365 days a year, to provide the best care to the
ill, injured, abandoned and oiled African penguins and other seabirds that are
admitted to its two centres annually. Funding from ‘A Greener Tomorrow’ will go
towards helping support SANCCOB’s rehabilitation, protection, research and
chick-rearing programmes.
