DUBAI, UAE, May 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --
Roca & The Change Initiative join hands to raise awareness about the global shortage of water
A prolific ceremony was held today to award the winners of the We Are Water Foundation GCC Student Design Contest. The regional competition was launched on the 22nd of March 2012, and requested Students of Art, Interior Design & Architecture faculties to design a poster on the relationship between Food and Water. 'We Are Water Foundation' is an initiative of Roca, which aims to raise awareness of water as a unique, limited resource, and aims to take action to minimize the negative effects of the lack of adequate water resources through education, health and research, and the construction of new infrastructures.
The ceremony was held at the newly launched facility of The Change Initiative, a 55,000 square feet facility dedicated to sustainable solutions for the home and at work. The awards ceremony raised awareness about the relationship between water and food and the need to reduce our water consumption through a display of a selection of the best Graphic Designs made by students of the faculty of Art, Interior Design and Architecture of the leading universities in the GCC.
Students from universities such as American University of Sharjah, Zayed University (Dubai/Abu Dhabi), Al Ghurair University, American University in Dubai, Ajman University of Science & Technology, Al Hosn University, British University in Dubai, and King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, have been invited to participate in the contest. The Heads of Faculties of Interior Design & Architecture of these universities have given their support to the contest.
A Jury made up of DEWA, Architects and Interior Designers of the American Institute for Architects (AIA Middle East), Royal Institute for Architects (RIBA Middle East Chapter), the Association for Professional Interior Designers (APID), the Emirates Green Building Council members, UAE Business Council for Sustainable Development and The Change Initiative selected the Winning Graphic Design and the runners up.
One of the winners, Mohammed Abualqumssan of the American University of Dubai (AUD), said: "Food and water security, as a topic, keeps growing in importance with every day that passes; helping to raise awareness and understanding of this topic is a great priority to me as a Visual Communication student. Steps must continue to be taken at a global level to resolve this issue and to provide a safe and livable planet for generations tocome. It is our responsibility to get together and understand the impact of our actions on our future.
"The foundation of Roca plays a vital role in establishing food and water awareness in our world today. The Roca foundation's noble contest 'We are Water,' was aimed at raising awareness for the dwindling water resource. The contest was a great idea that fuses graphic design with the sustainability of a long-term viable resource of water. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Roca for such a great cause."
The winner was awarded a 3-day visit to Spain to meet with the We Are Water Foundation members and Roca's headquarters; DEWA contributed to the contest by offering the winner 1,500 AED, to the runner-up 1,000 AED, and the 3rd place 500 AED.
Simultaneously, the WE ARE WATER Foundation presented the 'We Art Water Film Festival' which was a portfolio of videos submitted by film students from around the world to represent their view on the global issue of water shortage water and its direct correlation to the access to food. The film festival consisted of various expressions of the issue presented as micro-documentaries, animation and mobile videos.
Mr. Victor Schoone, Middle East Country Manager of Roca Sanitario, S.A said: "It is the time now to link our leadership to environmental issues, an area in which we have been already involved for more than 50 years. 'We Are Water' is part of our commitment with sustainability and with the communities most affected by the lack of water and its consequences. We aim to become a referent in the management of environmental issues and sustainable development, especially in everything related to water."
Gundeep Singh, Founder, TheChange Initiative, said: "Generating more awareness around global sustainability issues is one of the core goals of The Change Initiative. We aim to influence a mindset change by allowing people to make more responsible lifestyle choices and are proud to host such a prestigious event at our facility, moreover, we are proud of our partnership with Roca and the We Are Water Foundation."
He added: "Our support to the student initiative by 'We are Water Foundation' enables us to highlight the importance of water use efficiency and management and underlines our commitment to focusing the attention of our stake holders and customers on environmental sustainability."
About We Are Water
The We Are Water Foundation is an initiative of Roca, which, from its very beginnings, has been committed to the environment in terms of both its products and its production processes.
Roca is keenly aware that water is a unique, limited resource, and has therefore spent more than 50 years developing water and energy saving devices for its products, thereby contributing to a more balanced and sustainable co-existence with our surroundings. Its commitment to the responsible use of water has now taken a new dimension with the creation of the We Are Water Foundation.
The Foundation has two main objectives: to raise awareness among institutions and the general public about the need for a new culture of water, which allows for economic development and a sustainable management of the world's water resources. The second objective is related to its involvement in activities to minimize the negative effects of the lack of adequate water resources. Activities of the foundation may be related to infrastructures, education, health and research.
The We Are Water Foundation may act on its own or in collaboration with projects from institutions and NGO's as long as they fit with the objectives of the Foundation.
Additional information about We Are Water projects, goals, and activities undertaken by "Ambassadors" and "Friends" of the Foundation is available at http://www.wearewater.org
About Roca
Roca is the world leader in the definition of the bathroom space and a benchmark reference in the world of design.
Roca is a 100% family owned company dedicated to the design, production, sales and marketing of products for the bathroom space for architecture, construction and interior design. The company employs more than 22,000 employees, has 72 production plants and is present in over 135 countries across five continents and is aiming to be the leading global bathroom brand.
Roca is constantly involved in the creation and development of new technologies for the preservation of the environment. This business commitment not only involves manufacturing processes, such as Eco-Roca, but also the development of new products which contribute to water saving such as W+W, In-Tank Meridian and Drain News.
The We Are Water Foundation is an initiative which responds to Roca's commitment to sustainability, one of its guiding business principles.
About The Change Initiative
The Change Initiative aims to influence a mindset change by allowing people to make more responsible lifestyle choices. The store carries a comprehensive range of sustainable living solutions covering energy conservation, waste management, organic food and various lifestyle items.
The Change Initiative store opened its doors at Sheikh Zayed Road on May 1, 2012 to sell sustainable products and showcase world-class 'green' solutions for homes and businesses. The Change Initiative plans to roll out up to 25 showrooms in the Middle East and Asia over the next five years.
For more information please contact:
Chetna Pandita
The Change Initiative
Mobile: +971-56-115-4329
chetna.pandita@tci-mail.com
Samer Deeb / Hwaida Zoubian
Roca Sanitario, S.A. (Representation Office)
Mobile: +971-50-7085787
info.dubai@roca.net
SOURCE We Are Water Foundation
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