JEDDAH, 30 September 2003 — Three young students were honored for their contribution toward the environment during a ceremony at Tetra Pak’s Jeddah factory on Saturday under the company’s Ecodrive program to promote environmental awareness and protection within its industry. Several employees were also honored for their environment-friendly ideas during the ceremony.
In an effort to raise environmental awareness among young people in Saudi Arabia, Tetra Pak sponsored Shayaan Afsar, 17, from Pakistan, Ziyad Effendi, 16, an American citizen, and Sami Galal, 17, an Egyptian, to attend the World Congress of Youth in Morocco, where they exchanged ideas with other youth from virtually every country in the world.
The leader of the group, Shayaan Afsar, who approached Tetra Pak for sponsorship, told Arab News: “This has been a life-shaping experience. It is definitely repeatable.”
Afsar, who wants to become a lawyer or diplomat, spoke of the experience with great excitement and enthusiasm. “Despite some difficulties such as camping in a tent and sharing two working bathrooms with 250 other people, the three of us would certainly do this again.”
Afsar’s father, who attended the ceremony, said: “My son has become far more confident after attending the World Congress of Youth. His public speaking skills and people skills have greatly improved. He has become a better communicator and coordinator. I am very proud of him.”
Ziyad Effendi would like a career in international relations. “I have gained ten years’ worth of knowledge and have met a great cross-section of the world’s youth.”
Sami Galal, who wishes to make artificial intelligence and robotics a career, added: “I got a taste of independence and learned a lot about myself and the world we live in. I would encourage everyone to become involved in events like this.”
The three students, from the Continental School in Jeddah, have started a program called “Students for an Active Difference,” in which they encourage other students to learn about different ways in which they can have a positive impact on their community.
“We are very happy we had the chance to sponsor these students for the world conference in Morocco,” said Amar Zahid, Tetra Pak Saudi Arabia’s managing director.
