Push to disseminate more environmental messages
BRUNEI-MUARA
Thursday, June 21, 2012
THE push for more environmental-friendly practices were welcomed by members of the youth and student community who also advocated for more involvement from all parties and institutions.
In an interview with The Brunei Times at the National Environment Conference (NEC) 2012 at the Empire Hotel and Country Club yesterday, pre-university student Lai Ling Ling admitted to being surprised at the attendance of many stakeholders at the conference.
“I only came in the afternoon, but what I saw today surprised me because I thought that this whole environmental movement in Brunei is not that big. But actually it is really huge,” she said.
However, she said, the conference needs to be opened up to the wider public to get environmental message across.
“With all this going on, I think that we should open this up to the vast majority of the public. Most people hear this stuff but it just passes right through them.”
Having a giant session in a public place like The Mall, Gadong, will attract the attention of the public, she suggested.
Meanwhile, Seri Begawan Sultan Science College student Muhd Zulqarnain Hj Rahim believed that family institutions have more momentum in helping the messages of environment conservation to progress in the nation.
“What really influences Brunei are families. If one person can influence the whole family, then that family can influence another. Sooner or later, the whole of the country will catch on the message,” he said.
On the NEC, he labelled the talks as “phenomenal” and related to his studies.
“As a geography student, I would say that it (talks) was beneficial in relation to my subjects as they did help me a lot,” he said.
Another pre-university student Muhd Aznil Hj Yunus, said the talks by the keynote speakers were very informative.
“Today, there are a lot of information and we got to learn something about the environment but the most interesting thing for me was how important the water is to the earth,” he said, referring to a talk by Director of Special Projects from the Woods Hole Institution (WHOI) David Gallo on water.
In another interview, Yasmin Faridah Abd Manan said the conference provided a space for the youth to learn new things about the environment.
“The conference was very informative and I learned a lot. As a youth, I think it is very important to know all of these issues,” she told The Brunei Times.
Meanwhile, the Youth Eco Documentary Awards were given to three schools who showed the best videos for the categories of best proposal, most entertaining video and best picture.
The Seri Begawan Sultan Science College (Maktab Sains) took home the best proposal award after their “Beautifying Brunei” video raised the need for bigger awareness of recycling by increasing the amount of recycling bins in a given area.
The video proposed that such an initiative should be applied to the national housing scheme so that it will gradually change the recycling habits of Bruneians.
Masin Secondary School won the most entertaining category with their “CFC’s (chlorofluorocarbons) Invasion” video which highlighted the need to reduce the use of aerosol cans and air-conditioners with the doors open.
In the best picture category, Awang Semaun Secondary School bagged the award for their video entitled “Water Pollution in Kg Ayer”.
Their video showed that awareness needs to start from the younger generation who will in turn convince their parents.
Present to give away the awards as the special guest was the Deputy Minister of Education Dato Seri Setia Hj Yusoff Hj Ismail.
Leo Kasim & Ying ChiaThe Brunei Times
Source: http://www.bt.com.bn/news-national/2012/06/21/push-disseminate-more-environmental-messages