The British Council will develop and amplify support for climate change action and COP26 amongst young people and institutions in Bahrain through the Climate Connection Champions Programme. 

 

Organised in partnership with the Higher Education Council of Bahrain, the programme will support young activists in the country to implement projects that can create a greener, more sustainable world.

 

In line with the activities at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, UK from October 31 to November 11, 2021, the Environment Champions programme will look to raise awareness and encourage Bahrain’s society to do their part to tackle global warming.  

 

The programme brings together education institutions working with youth and civil society organisations that focus on environment challenges and engage partnership support and endorsement from key government agencies. 

 

The Climate Connection Champions programme has a specifically designed training element where youth participants will develop social leadership skills, skills to build and convene coalitions and to support the development of sustainable plans for social action in climate change. It will empower young people in Bahrain to take action on a local level that has lasting effects.

 

In her address, Dr Sheikha Rana bint Isa bin Daij Al Khalifa thanked the British Embassy and the British Council for the partnership in implementing and delivering this training programme that relates to an important issue closely related to the fields of development, and which also coincides with the national campaign “Stay Green” under the generous patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of His Majesty, the King of Bahrain, to achieve the goals of sustainable development in the areas of climate and the environment, stressing on the importance of scientific research in the field of environment and climate and addressing the associated challenges that suffer from various countries of the world.

 

The Secretary-General noted the distinguished level of this training programme and its participants, as it includes an explanation of the ecosystem, nature, cultural identity and how our identities shape our relationship with nature and the promotion of innovation in climate action. Ten members of the academic staff and 50 undergraduate students from various disciplines in higher education institutions in the kingdom will participate in it.

 

The Bahrain Climate Connection Champions programme, which is funded by Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office of the UK government, will be delivered from September 10 2021 to the March 31, 2022.  

 

Ambassador Roddy Drummond spoke about the importance of addressing the Global Challenge of Climate Change and said: ‘’The COP26 conference would attract over 125 world leaders – and start a year of Climate Action.  Young Bahraini Climate Champions would be supported to find ideas and projects to address the environmental, adaptation and resilience challenges faced in Bahrain. I am very much looking forward to learning more about the projects developed by the Bahraini Champions.’’

 

Richard Rooze, Country Director British Council Bahrain, said: “The climate crisis can only be addressed through cooperation and joint action. We are pleased to deliver the Climate Connection Champions programme with our partners, bringing together local initiatives, young people and communities and support their efforts on driving Climate Change action in the run up to COP26 and beyond. If together we take social action and spread awareness, we can and will address the challenge of climate change.”-- TradeArabia News Service