From left to right : Dr. Najat Saliba, Eliane Al Jalk representing the ministry of Interior, Mr. Antoine Tayyar, Dr. Salma Talhouk
AUB-Ibsar, Nature Conservation Center for Sustainable Futures at the American University of Beirut has today launched the Biodiversity Village Award (BVA). Supported by The Coca-Cola Foundation in line with their vision of creating sustainable communities, the environmentally-themed competition will promote native tree planting and nature conservation projects across 21 participating municipalities in Lebanon.
The announcement was made at the Commodore Hotel, Hamra and was attended by the General Director of Municipalities, Ahmad Rajab, representing the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities, representatives from Ibsar, AUB, The Coca-Cola Foundation and members of the press.
The participating 21 municipalities were preselected by AUB-Ibsar based on participation in their Power of Planting (POP) Program which was initiated in 2007 and helps conserve Lebanon’s native tree species by engaging local citizens. The pre-selection of these municipalities was based on 2 year planting activities in collaboration with over 50 municipalities.
The center will subsequently work closely with the 21 municipalities to continue maintenance activities on previously planted seedlings, plant new seedlings during this planting period and provide support to municipalities in preparing a portfolio of their achievements over the past 2 years.
“Our purpose in launching BVA is to draw attention to the efforts of municipalities that have actively engaged in biodiversity conservation through native tree planting and other related community activities and promote further participation in Lebanon.” said Dr. Najat Saliba, AUB-Ibsar director. “We’re extremely grateful to our partners, the Coca-Cola foundation for supporting this initiative. Their partnership will go along way in helping to spread the important message about conservation and our precious environment,” she added.
Antoine Tayyar, Public Affairs and Communications Director of Coca-Cola Middle East said: “The Coca-Cola Foundation always strives to partner with and supports local community initiatives because we believe that corporations play a major role in developing and fostering the local communities wherever they operate. Our aim is to make a positive difference in the world and we value the importance of preserving and protecting the endangered environment and natural resources. The Coca-Cola Foundation is extremely proud to extend support to the American University of Beirut Ibsar’s BVA Program and contribute to promoting nature conservation and biodiversity across Lebanon.”
With operations in more than 200 countries, Coca-Cola supports local communities by helping them find solutions to local needs, building capabilities and improving quality of life through programs, partners and people. Always striving to be an active partner to the Lebanese community, Coca-Cola has supported a range of community projects in Lebanon with the likes of the ‘CedaRoots’ project, inaugurating the first cedar forest in South Lebanon and supporting the ‘Go Green’ initiative to raise awareness on a number of environmental issues.
The Award Ceremony will take place on September 2011 following judging by a jury of AUB faculty members who will evaluate the portfolios and select the winning municipality. The winning municipality will celebrate with a village festival in November, giving their local community an opportunity to celebrate their success. All participating villages will be featured in a documentary of the Project.
The Biodiversity Village Award (BVA) is intended to become an annual event; an incentive-based strategy that provides visibility and recognition to municipalities who adopt the planting and conservation of native tree species in public open spaces.
The participating 21 municipalities were preselected by AUB-Ibsar based on participation in their Power of Planting (POP) Program which was initiated in 2007 and helps conserve Lebanon’s native tree species by engaging local citizens. The pre-selection of these municipalities was based on 2 year planting activities in collaboration with over 50 municipalities.
The center will subsequently work closely with the 21 municipalities to continue maintenance activities on previously planted seedlings, plant new seedlings during this planting period and provide support to municipalities in preparing a portfolio of their achievements over the past 2 years.
“Our purpose in launching BVA is to draw attention to the efforts of municipalities that have actively engaged in biodiversity conservation through native tree planting and other related community activities and promote further participation in Lebanon.” said Dr. Najat Saliba, AUB-Ibsar director. “We’re extremely grateful to our partners, the Coca-Cola foundation for supporting this initiative. Their partnership will go along way in helping to spread the important message about conservation and our precious environment,” she added.
Antoine Tayyar, Public Affairs and Communications Director of Coca-Cola Middle East said: “The Coca-Cola Foundation always strives to partner with and supports local community initiatives because we believe that corporations play a major role in developing and fostering the local communities wherever they operate. Our aim is to make a positive difference in the world and we value the importance of preserving and protecting the endangered environment and natural resources. The Coca-Cola Foundation is extremely proud to extend support to the American University of Beirut Ibsar’s BVA Program and contribute to promoting nature conservation and biodiversity across Lebanon.”
With operations in more than 200 countries, Coca-Cola supports local communities by helping them find solutions to local needs, building capabilities and improving quality of life through programs, partners and people. Always striving to be an active partner to the Lebanese community, Coca-Cola has supported a range of community projects in Lebanon with the likes of the ‘CedaRoots’ project, inaugurating the first cedar forest in South Lebanon and supporting the ‘Go Green’ initiative to raise awareness on a number of environmental issues.
The Award Ceremony will take place on September 2011 following judging by a jury of AUB faculty members who will evaluate the portfolios and select the winning municipality. The winning municipality will celebrate with a village festival in November, giving their local community an opportunity to celebrate their success. All participating villages will be featured in a documentary of the Project.
The Biodiversity Village Award (BVA) is intended to become an annual event; an incentive-based strategy that provides visibility and recognition to municipalities who adopt the planting and conservation of native tree species in public open spaces.
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