Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE) and ne’ma, the UAE’s National Food Loss and Waste Initiative, launched an insightful diary program that focused on food loss and waste. The collaborative initiative engaged more than 30 of Abu Dhabi’s Yasmina British Academy’s Year-7 students.
The 7 Days – ne’ma Diary aimed to raise awareness about food loss and waste by encouraging students to record and analyse the amount of food they have wasted over a span of seven days. The program not only fostered a sense of responsibility among the students but also provided valuable insights into the patterns and causes of food waste in their daily lives.
Khuloud Hasan Al Nuwais, Chief Sustainability Officer, Emirates Foundation and ne’ma Committee Secretary General, highlighted the significance of such initiatives: “The 7 Days – ne’ma Diary is designed to instil a sense of responsibility towards sustainable living from a young age. By partnering with JICE, we are expanding the reach of this impactful program and fostering a culture of mindful consumption among the youth.”
Photo: Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE)
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) states that food services account for 26 percent of food waste globally. The challenge’s awards ceremony showcased the total amount of food waste, totalling 10 kg by all participants of the initiative. Mariam AlMheiri, the UAE’s Minister of Climate Change and Environment, and Akio Isomata, Ambassador of Japan to the UAE, participated in the event.
According to a press statement, seen by EdDesign, Sara AlAmeri, one of the Yasmina British Academy’s students in the 7 Days – ne’ma Diary, said, “It was a great experience to learn the importance of reducing food waste. Over the course of seven days, I learned how to reduce food waste by ordering less and only for what you can consume. It certainly increased conversation on food waste among my family.”
Guided by the 7 Days – ne’ma Diary guidelines, participating students from Yasmina documented the types and quantities of food discarded daily by scaling and photographing the food waste, gaining a firsthand understanding of the impact of their consumption habits.
Sultan Aadel Alhammadi, another participant of the Aldar Academy School, described the 7 Days – ne’ma Diary as an eye-opening experience not only for himself but also for his entire family. The program brought an excellent aspect to his household, prompting the entire family to actively reduce food waste.
Photo: Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE)
Tokuya Kanamori, Managing Director at the JICE Abu Dhabi Office, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “At JICE, we believe in the power of education and awareness to drive positive change. Collaborating with ne’ma on this innovative program aligns with our commitment to sustainable practices and the development of environmentally conscious individuals.”
Major findings and insights from the initiative were highlighted at the recently concluded COP28, the 28th United Nations Climate Change conference, held from 30 November to 12 December at Expo City, Dubai.
December 2023
