Both children and adults enjoyed interactive activities and competitions on the theme of the environment this Saturday in Azhar park, in a celebration of World Environment Day (WED), organized by the Egyptian Ministry of Environment in conjunction with Wadi Environmental Science Centre(WESC).

The theme of the day was: "Many Species. One Planet. One Future.”

Lynn Sigouin Freiji, co-founder of the WESC, spoke about the role of her organization and the importance of taking responsible action in environmental protection.

Minister of State for Environmental Affairs Maged George also spoke at the event on the importance of protecting Egypt's reserves, implementing a treaty signed by Egypt on biodiversity, and the necessity of raising environmental awareness among children--all of which, he said, are needed to achieve environmental protection in Egypt.

Touring through the park, the minister reviewed projects on environmental protection and sustainability, and color-coded maps of Egypt's reserves, all created by schoolchildren.

One of the projects was a bicycle that generates water. The minister rode the bicycle to demonstrate that the harder he peddled, the more water emerged.

A band also played on instruments fashioned from recycled materials, showing innovative possibilities for recycling materials. The band sang songs about environmental awareness and their love for Egypt.

A workshop on generating energy from plants using acids, an activity held as part of World Environment Day (WED), Azhar Park, June 6, 2010. Hosted aby Wadi Environmental Science Centre (WESC) and Egyptian State Ministry for Environmental Affairs, WED has showcased a set of awareness raising activities and has seen wide participation and media coverage.

Al Masry Al Youm