The Emirates Literature Foundation has today announced a new partnership with Jane Goodall’s Institute, to promote creative writing, engaging with literature and foster a deep understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals in children. Through the partnership, Jane Goodall’s Institute’s Roots & Shoots programme will be twinned with the Voices of Future Generations initiative, a creative writing competition under the patronage of UNESCO that encourages children to write adventure stories featuring sustainable themes. The two initiatives will create a virtuous chain of sustainability awareness and drive positive action.

HH SheikhaMaytha bint Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum has been named Goodwill Ambassador for Roots & Shoots UAE, and HH SheikhaHissa bint Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum is the Goodwill Ambassador for Voices of Future Generations Middle East. Together the sisters aim to ensure children today grow up with a mastery of reading and writing coupled with the awareness and drive to protect the environment and vulnerable communities, in order to create a more sustainable world.

The Emirates Literature Foundation will drive the growth of the initiative across the seven emirates of the UAE and the wider region, with an aim to create immersive, creative learning opportunities, field trips, and science projects. Twinning the two initiatives will give a comprehensive sustainability-themed path for children to follow from a young age up to adulthood. A knowledge and understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals through creating their own stories, gives young people a voice on a global platform, and a way to encourage others to take up the challenge.

Dr Jane Goodall said: “Roots & Shoots encourages children to get together to implement practical positive change for people, animals and the environment. We are lucky to have such a passionate advocate for nature as our Goodwill Ambassador, and I can’t wait to see what the children of the UAE will accomplish with her support.”

“Stories can change lives. The power of words should never be underestimated; they show us that it is possible to achieve what we otherwise wouldn’t even have imagined. If we can offer this world of possibilities to the children of today, I have no doubt they will be able to build a better tomorrow for all of us,” said Isobel Abulhoul OBE, CEO and Trustee of Emirates Literature Foundation.

Anyone can start a Roots & Shoots group and get to work on creating a better world. School, community and youth groups, and even family groups can all apply to join Roots & Shoots. The group decides how they will make a positive impact, which means all chosen initiatives are fitting for their location, while they can learn from and share ideas with other Roots & Shoots groups from around the world.

Showing and celebrating success is a key part of the Roots & Shoots initiative, to energise and inspire, proving time and again that each of us can make a difference. Further announcements about exciting ways for children to to get involved will follow in the coming months.

Voices of Future Generations is a unique writing initiative, held under the patronage of UNESCO, created to promote sustainability awareness and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The competition, for children aged 8 – 12, encourages children to write adventure stories about characters overcoming challenges and creating a more tolerant, sustainable world. For more information see vofg.vofgarabia.org

More information about the Emirates Literature Foundation can be found online and year-round news of #EmiratesLitFest on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

You can also tune in to the Foundation’s two podcasts; the Best of the Emirates LitFest, and the Boundless Book Club.