Kids read embraces World Environment Day

Kids Read is honouring World Environment Day with an interactive community event for primary school children aged six - nine and their parents at Jabir bin Zaid school on May 23. Held annually on 5 June, World Environment Day aims to become the biggest and most widely celebrated global day for positive environmental action. The participating schools in this, the third and final community event in the Kids Read project for 2011-12, are Al Sayeeda and Al Muttrah. They are two of six schools overall in the project and will be presenting their Kids Read work so far and relating how the project has impacted on their schools and kids. This year's theme is the Green Economy. Kids Read, a programme sponsored solely by HSBC Bank Middle East, will highlight its importance through books about the preservation of nature. HSBC has a long-standing commitment to protecting the environment and believes it is fundamental to a thriving society and a sound economy. Designed to encourage children to read for pleasure, Kids Read is a free event for families and the community. Additionally, workshops will be offered to parents to teach them how to inspire their children to read and to help parents and children bond through books. During the story-telling section of the event, HSBC Volunteers trained by the British Council will read a number of books on the environment, including Dear Greenpeace and Whole World, to children to stimulate their interest in reading and foster a sense of responsibility towards saving the planet. After the story-telling, children will be able to participate in arts and crafts sessions and other activities pertaining to the Green Economy theme while parents take part in a series of Learn English Family workshops focusing on how they can be more involved in fostering their children's love of reading. Her Excellency, Dr Madiha Al Shaibania, The Minister of Education said: "Young people today understand how important it is to protect the environment and I think using this theme within Kids Read will further attract children to the joy of reading. Choosing themes relevant to children and society is important so that children understand the world around them and can learn and have fun at the same time." Ewan Stirling, CEO of HSBC Bank Middle East Limited - Oman said: "We aim to shape an eco-friendly frame of mind amongst these children and empower them with the knowledge to lead the way in building a more sustainable tomorrow. Children are our future and their influence can have a far-reaching and lasting effect on not only our local environment but the planet as a whole." Paul Doubleday, Director British Council Oman, said: "An interest in reading is a vital life skill for children, and the widespread interest in environmental issues makes World Environment Day an excellent opportunity to promote reading. Young people today are rightly aware of the need to protect the environment, so we expect the subject will have enormous appeal as part of the Kids Read project." Working together with Ministries of Education, HSBC Bank Middle East and the British Council aim to reach more than 25,000 children across 13 countries in the MENA region. The programme involves a variety of school activities alongside public story-telling events, initially for one academic year.