Latest news with #KEPS
Arab Times
14-07-2025
- General
- Arab Times
Kuwait launches 'Green Schools' guide to promote sustainability in schools
KUWAIT CITY, July 14: The Kuwait Environment Protection Society (KEPS) unveiled the comprehensive 'Green Schools' guide on Sunday, aiming to assist schools in adopting best environmental practices and enhancing awareness to support sustainable development. The announcement came at the conclusion of KEPS's 14th annual Green Schools educational awareness program. KEPS Chairperson Dr. Wijdan Al-Oqab highlighted that the guide offers a detailed framework for waste management, energy and water conservation, and the promotion of green spaces within school environments. Dr. Al-Oqab explained that the guide provides both technical and educational guidelines to establish school environmental clubs, encouraging active participation from students and teachers in sustainability initiatives. It also outlines mechanisms to measure environmental performance through clear criteria and periodic assessments. The annual program primarily targeted teachers from public and private schools, empowering them to spread environmental and health awareness within their institutions. Throughout the school year, workshops and lectures were conducted to foster values of environmental citizenship and public health among students. Stressing the importance of science and environmental consciousness in achieving sustainable development goals, Dr. Al-Oqab affirmed that the guide equips schools with practical tools to launch initiatives that promote a healthy, sustainable educational environment grounded in environmental values and scientific awareness. Jenan Bahzad, Secretary-General of KEPS and Director of Programs and Activities, noted that approximately 2,000 teachers and students from schools nationwide participated in this year's program. Topics included environmental analysis, sustainable resource management, and the implementation of Kuwait's Environmental Protection Law. Bahzad added that the program maintained continuous engagement through field visits and online workshops to ensure broad access and direct interaction with educators. She outlined the program's strategic objectives, which aim to strengthen schools as micro-communities capable of transmitting scientific and environmental knowledge to both students and the wider local community. The initiative also seeks to embed a culture of sustainability within schools as a foundation for lasting environmental stewardship. Looking ahead, Bahzad expressed hope that the Green Schools guide would serve as a catalyst for expanding KEPS's collaboration with the Ministry of Education and academic institutions. Plans include practical implementation in schools supported by training resources and interactive content. She praised this year's success in turning the partnership between government and civil society into measurable impact within Kuwaiti schools. The launch of the guide marks a significant step toward transforming environmental knowledge into daily practices and sustainable institutional education.
Kuwait Times
05-07-2025
- General
- Kuwait Times
KEPS launches region's first women-focused climate action guide
Secretary-General of the Kuwait Environment Protection Society, Jenan Behzad KUWAIT: The Kuwait Environment Protection Society (KEPS) on Saturday launched a groundbreaking publication titled 'Women's Guide to Climate Action and Shared Responsibility,' marking a significant step by civil society to empower women and strengthen their role in addressing the climate crisis. KEPS Secretary General and book supervisor Jenan Behzad said in a press statement that the guide is the first of its kind in the region. It offers a comprehensive look into women's contributions to environmental efforts, combining scientific insight, social analysis, and real-life experiences of pioneering Arab women in the fields of climate action and sustainable development. Behzad noted that the guide was prepared with contributions from 11 Arab female writers representing Kuwait, Egypt, Bahrain, the UAE, Tunisia, Lebanon and Iraq. The book is divided into five chapters, tackling key themes such as the impact of climate change on women, environmental and social responsibility, Arab women's leadership in climate initiatives, and a practical guide for applying sustainability principles at home. She emphasized that KEPS aims, through this publication, to enrich the Kuwaiti and Arab environmental library with knowledge resources that reflect climate challenges from a gender-based perspective. The guide also seeks to encourage women to take on active roles as essential partners in environmental protection. 'Women are vital actors in crafting solutions and driving transformations toward a sustainable future, drawing on their leading roles within families and across social and political spheres,' Behzad said. She added that the book was produced in response to the recommendations of a workshop titled 'Women between Climate Change and Sustainable Development,' held in cooperation with the National Association for Family Security. — KUNA
Arab Times
05-07-2025
- General
- Arab Times
KEPS launches pioneering guide on women's role in climate action
KUWAIT CITY, July 5: The Kuwait Environment Protection Society (KEPS) launched on Saturday a groundbreaking publication titled 'Women's Guide to Climate Action and Shared Responsibility,' marking a significant step in civil society's efforts to empower women and reinforce their role in addressing the global climate crisis. KEPS Secretary General and supervisor of the book, Jenan Behzad, described the guide as the first of its kind in the region. She said it offers a comprehensive exploration of women's contributions to environmental efforts, blending scientific insights, social perspectives, and the experiences of pioneering Arab women in the fields of climate action and sustainable development. Behzad noted that the guide was a collaborative effort, prepared with the participation of 11 Arab female contributors from Kuwait, Egypt, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Tunisia, Lebanon, and Iraq. The book is divided into five chapters that address key issues such as the impact of climate change on women, environmental and social responsibility, regional leadership by Arab women in climate action, and practical methods for implementing sustainability in daily life. According to Behzad, the publication aims to enrich both Kuwaiti and broader Arab environmental literature by offering knowledge that reflects climate challenges from a gender-based perspective. It is also intended to inspire women to take an active role as key partners in protecting the environment. 'Women are central to creating solutions and leading transformations toward a sustainable future,' she emphasized, pointing to their influential roles within families, communities, and decision-making bodies. The guide was developed in response to recommendations made during a recent workshop titled 'Women between Climate Change and Sustainable Development,' organized by KEPS in collaboration with the National Association for Family Security. The initiative underscores the vital link between gender empowerment and effective climate action in the Arab world.
Arab Times
05-06-2025
- General
- Arab Times
Kuwait joins global effort to ‘beat plastic pollution' on World Environment Day
KUWAIT CITY, June 5: As the world observes World Environment Day today, the focus has sharply turned to plastic pollution—a growing environmental crisis demanding urgent global action. Celebrated annually on June 5 for over five decades, World Environment Day serves as the largest international platform for environmental awareness, mobilizing millions worldwide through events and initiatives aimed at conservation and sustainable development. This year's theme, 'Beat Plastic Pollution,' calls on governments, organizations, and individuals to implement systemic changes that reduce plastic waste and encourage environmentally friendly practices. The movement, spearheaded by the United Nations Environment Programme, emphasizes the need for a global shift in how societies produce, use, and dispose of plastic. Kuwait's Environment Public Authority (EPA) is actively participating in the global initiative with a nationwide media campaign in partnership with state institutions and international organizations. Acting Director General Nouf Behbehani told KUNA that the campaign aims to raise awareness about the dangers of plastic pollution while encouraging sustainable habits like recycling and the reduction of single-use plastics. 'Environmental conservation is central to Kuwait's sustainable development goals,' Behbehani stated. 'The EPA is focused on promoting positive behaviors among both individuals and institutions.' She urged the public to engage with the campaign, which emphasizes practical lifestyle changes such as using reusable materials and reducing plastic consumption to minimize environmental harm. The Kuwait Environment Protection Society (KEPS) is also playing a key role in these efforts. Its Chairperson, Dr. Wejdan Al-Oqab, highlighted the society's advocacy for reducing plastic production and increasing recycling. She noted that KEPS engages in various national and international activities that address plastic waste, which poses serious risks to both ecosystems and human health. Al-Oqab warned of the long-term dangers of plastic pollution, including its infiltration into the food chain and its toxic effects on marine life. 'The urgency to act is real,' she stressed, adding that KEPS's "Green Schools" initiative educates young students about these dangers through lectures and workshops. The initiative underscores the importance of daily individual choices, such as using cloth or recycled bags instead of plastic, and sorting household waste to reduce landfill pressure. Al-Oqab also pointed out that Kuwait's environmental laws penalize environmentally harmful actions, but behavioral change among the public remains critical. Adding to the discussion, Dr. Mubarak Al-Hajeri, Chairman of the Kuwait Society for Earth Sciences, expressed hope that this year's observance would catalyze a transformation in environmental thinking. He emphasized that World Environment Day should be a springboard for serious, sustained efforts to promote environmental sustainability at both local and global levels. Al-Hajeri raised concerns about the growing amount of plastic waste polluting oceans and threatening marine life through ingestion and chemical contamination. He called for innovation in eco-friendly technologies and collective responsibility to mitigate the impact of plastic on climate and public health. As nations unite under the banner of World Environment Day 2025, Kuwait's commitment to tackling plastic pollution stands as part of a larger global mission to safeguard the planet's future.
Arab Times
12-05-2025
- Health
- Arab Times
'Green Schools' program fosters eco and health awareness in students
KUWAIT CITY, May 12: The Kuwait Environment Protection Society (KEPS) continues its commitment to fostering environmental and health consciousness in educational institutions through its "Green Schools" program. This initiative aims to equip educators with the necessary knowledge and tools to address emerging environmental and health challenges, particularly in the context of accelerating climate change. On Monday, KEPS organized an awareness workshop titled "Viruses from Origin to Mutations, Climate Impacts, and Prevention Methods" at Latifa Al-Barak School for Girls. This session is part of a series of activities designed to promote health and environmental awareness in schools and create a safe, child-friendly educational environment. Dr. Hessa Taqi, a certified trainer in the Green Schools program, led the workshop. She provided insights into the origin and genetic evolution of viruses, their relationship to climate change, and the impact of environmental changes on viral mutations. The session also offered practical guidance to help teachers prevent viral diseases within the classroom, especially in light of recurring health challenges. The workshop aimed to raise awareness among teachers about ways to prevent viral diseases and link them to environmental factors, thereby enhancing the ability of schools to provide a healthy and safe educational environment. A simplified guide was distributed, outlining immediate procedures when symptoms of illness appear among students, such as temporary isolation and communication with parents. The guide also emphasized promoting a culture of cleanliness and ventilation inside the classroom and discouraging the sharing of personal items. The importance of seasonal vaccinations, particularly the influenza vaccine, was also highlighted to maintain a healthy and safe school environment for all students and teachers. KEPS's ongoing efforts through the "Green Schools" program underscore its dedication to enhancing environmental and health education in Kuwait's schools, preparing educators and students to effectively respond to the challenges posed by climate change.
