Friends of the Environment Centre (FEC) is an environmental organization established in 1992 in Qatar with the goal of promoting environmental awareness and developing conservation initiatives.[1] As of 2015, the organization is chaired by Saif Al Hajari.[2]
History edit
The organization was formed in 1992.[3]
Activities edit
The FEC has taken an active role in raising local awareness of the negative effects associated with tobacco smoking. Methods employed include organizing international conferences[4] and preparing studies detailing its economic, health and environmental effects.[5]
An annual event known as A Flower Each Spring is organized by the FEC to promote environmental awareness.[6] During the event, numerous field trips and fairs are held with the aim of acquainting participants with Qatar's local fauna.[7] The inaugural edition took place in 1999.[8]
In November 2012, a conference known as the Children's Conference on Climate Change (C4) was jointly launched by the FEC and Kainat Foundation. Operating in a similar manner to Model United Nations, the purpose of the event was to provide a platform for youth to discuss environmental problems and solutions.[9]
FEC, in partnership with South African company Sasol, launched the Qatar e-Nature application for smart phones in December 2013. Initially, the application only contained a database of the flora, birds and insects present within the country. Its database was updated in November 2014 to cover local mammals and reptiles.[10] In April 2015, the application was conferred the "Best Arab Government Smart Application" award at the Smart Government Awards.[11]
It was announced in May 2015 that the organization had released the first-ever field guide to birds in Qatar. The book contains information and depictions of 323 bird species that appear in the country.[12]
References edit
- ^ "Qatar - Friends of the Environment Centre". Bird Life International. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
- ^ "Friends of Environment Centre, Sasol honoured". The Peninsula. 8 June 2015. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
- ^ "The Millennium Development Goals in State of Qatar 2015" (PDF). The General Secretariat of the Planning Council. 2005. p. 27. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
- ^ "Middle East Tobacco Update - Sample Issue". Info-Prod Research (Middle East) Ltd. 16 June 1999. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
- ^ "No tobacco law or mere ink on paper". topcigarettesonline.com. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
- ^ "FEC to launch eco event tomorrow". Qatar is Booming. 28 January 2011. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
- ^ "Qatargas supports 'a flower each spring' programme". Qatargas. 20 June 2012. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
- ^ "'A Flower Each Spring' programme kicks off in Al Khor today". Gulf Times. 15 November 2014. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
- ^ Ramy Salama (16 November 2012). "Children call for efforts to combat climate change" (PDF). Qatar Tribune. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
- ^ "Sasol and FEC Update Qatar e-Nature App with Reptiles & Mammals". Zawya. 27 November 2014. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
- ^ "Qatar e-Nature app picks up an international accolade". The Peninsula. 6 April 2015. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
- ^ Ade Long (28 May 2015). "New book and mobile app to guide people's interest in nature of Qatar". Bird Life International. Retrieved 5 December 2015.