“World Environment Day” origins back to 1972 when people from all over the world gathered in Stockholm to express their concerns over the environmental problems. To commemorate ever growing “Environmental issues”, the SAEL Movement has planned series advocacy and awareness events including workshops, teachers training programme, competitions and displays. These events are arranged in cooperation with World Wild Life Fund for Nature (WWF). Details of the events for the month of May & June 2005 are as follows;

Do your part... be environmentally smart! (Essay and Art Competition) May 7, 2005:

The competition was arranged to create awareness about issues related to bio-diversity, environmental conservation and pollution. Students (aged 7 – 14), from different schools of Lahore came and actively participated in an on spot essay and art competition held in the premises of STEP Institute of Professional Development. Competition was unique in a manner that participants attended an interactive information session held by Ms. Caitlin Oliver from WWF before going into the competition.

Participating Schools:

- Aligarh Higher Secondary School
- Beacon House School System
- International School of Choueifat
- Lahore College of Arts & Science (LACAS)
- Lahore Grammar School
- Linderholf Grammar School
- Lords International School
- Salamat ICAS
- Scarsdale International School
- The City School
- Wapda Boys High School

Children were divided in two major age groups.
7– 10 years Paintings / Drawings
11- 14 years Essay Writing

“Pollution under the sea or over the sea” was the theme of Painting / Drawing competition. Students aged 7 – 10 years drew and painted on the spot.

They used variety of creative techniques to express their concerns and knowledge about the issue. Mediums used by children were pencils, crayons, paints and collage.

“What steps can a student take to contribute towards a better environment?”
Students aged 11 – 14 year shared their experience and opinion about the possible “difference they can bring at individual level” and that how can they contribute towards environmental conservation.

14 May, 2005 Prize Distribution and Display of Students work:

Prize distribution was day long ceremony, full of fun and thrill. As all participants attended the art workshop in which they explored screen printing techniques. Workshop title was “ Screen Printing in an Experimental Way”. Outcome of the workshop was self designed colorful t-shirts with excellent exploration of design and colours. SAEL is ever thankful to STEP Faculty of Art & design for conducting the workshop.

Dr. Iftikhar Elahi (Director British Council Lahore) honoured the programme as a chief guest and commented "This is an excellent effort! I am impressed by the creativity and the understanding children have shown in their work.”

Representatives from LACAS, International School of Choueifat, Wapda Boys High school, Beacon House School System, Lahore Grammar School and Linderholf Grammar School encouraged young artists and writers by their well felt presence.

On prize distribution ceremony, student commemorated the world environment day by presenting their concerns in a creative manner. Children from The City School made a Back Drop for the stage from recycled material. Wapda Boys High School and Linderhof Grammar School's students presented mime and performed marshal arts technique. Students from STEP Faculty of Modern Language sang a song and read out a creative essay to the audience. Students from Faculty of Art & Design STEP, presented a small fashion show on “History of Costume” giving the message that “If Human Beings can rise from the cave-man age; so can rise from the waste paper age”.

Programme was ended with the live musical performance by a local Band.