Qatar and US students examine world water issues in Washington

A group of high-school students from Qatar are participating in an environmental-themed exchange programme along with their American peers from Chicago in Washington, DC and New York City. The Environmental Exchange Tour, organized by Qatar Foundation International (QFI) with Blue Legacy, is examining critical water issues affecting the world. In October of 2011, students from Lindblom Math and Science Academy in Chicago participated in QFI’s Connecting Cultures, Exploring Science exchange trip to Doha, Qatar, in partnership with Blue Legacy which endeavours to restore natural water systems, preserve fragile water places and empower people to change our water future one community at a time. Together with their Qatari peers from Al Ieman Preparatory Independent School for Girls and Al Wakra Independent Preparatory School for Boys, the students explored last year water stories ranging from desalinization plants and water research laboratories to local islands, coastal areas and Qatar's unique mangrove lagoons. They heard from Alexandra Cousteau and joined Blue Legacy to examine the scientific, engineering and ecological aspects of local critical water issues in addition to working with traditional Qatari artists and exploring cultural heritage sites. Throughout the entire experience, these young leaders collaborated on short multimedia shows to chronicle their experiences. In the period since this initial exchange in 2011, the students have used QFI's online YALLAH social media forum and WeVideo's cloud-based, online editing software to work collaboratively on more comprehensive films about water in their communities and how water connects cultures. The students' short films have been selected to appear at the D.C. Environmental Film Festival where the students have also been invited to talk about their experiences during a Q&A session led by Alexandra Cousteau. Together with Cousteau and Blue Legacy, the students will then travel to New York City for events surrounding World Water Day. Representatives from QFI, Blue Legacy and WeVideo will join the students to discuss this and other projects focused on connecting students through the exploration of water issues. Other highlights of the exchange trip include participation in a water service project with Potomac Riverkeeper and spending an interactive museum day with the Smithsonian Institute. The students will also receive a "behind the scenes" tour of the National Geographic Society and attend the World Premiere of Robert Redford's River Red. The progamme concludes March 25.