With the transition from the Year of Innovation to the Year of Reading, companies and educators alike are preparing to push environmental awareness to the forefront of the next generation’s minds.

 

During the Year of Innovation the UAE invested in environmental research and development in commitments such as the Mission Innovation, a programme backed by US president Barack Obama and French leader Francois Hollande to push public and private global clean energy innovation to address global climate change.

 

However, just because the Year of Innovation was over, it did not mean companies like Masdar would not participate in the Year of Reading, said Dr. Ahmad Belhoul, chief executive of Masdar.

 

“Education, innovation, these two concepts are tied and when it comes to Masdar we are in the business of knowledge and research,” he said. “Reading is an integral part of that.”

 

He said this was critically important and would contribute to innovative thinking in the future.

 

“Without reading, there can be no knowledge. And without knowledge there can be no innovation. And without innovation there can be no development,” Dr. Belhoul said.

 

“As we enter the Year of Reading, Masdar will continue to be a platform for everyone who wants to learn more about sustainability.”

 

They have planned to dedicate an entire day of events at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week titled “The Student Exclusive”, where Masdar will have a day of activities aimed at promoting reading, learning and youth. (The National)

 

 

PHOTO: Grade five students read during class at the American International School in Abu Dhabi.

CREDIT: Christopher Pike / The National.