AARON ALWINES
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Monday, January 28, 2013
OVER 1,000 kilogrammes of rice were exchanged for six tonnes of recyclable material yesterday. The event took place outside
the Masjid Duli Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah in Kg Tamoi, as part of the “Green Xchange 4” programme. It was organised by the Society for Community Outreach & Training (SCOT) of Universiti Brunei Darussalam.
The programme, where members of the public can trade in recyclable material for rice, was attended by the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Hj Hazair Hj Abdullah.
The Minister was full of praise for SCOT for their efforts to make a fourth Green Xchange possible, “It is already certain that a programmelike Green Xchange will help instil a culture of love and care in society for cleanliness and care towards the environment.”
He added that recycling programmes, like Green Xchange, not only increase awareness but have high participation rates because “the programme is based on a highly attractive concept, where one can trade recycling goods for basic necessities.”
“Many residents, especially those with low incomes have a great opportunity to receive additional income,” he said.
Public participation and awareness aside, Green Xchange is also an effective platform to spur volunteerism amongst Bruneian youth, noted YB Pehin Dato Hj Hazair. “The involvement of youth today can be connected to “International Volunteer Day”… the youth present here prove that not only are they active, but possess the spirit of patriotism and responsibility towards the society and country they live in.”
The example of youth yesterday can be extended to the private business sector in Brunei as well, stressed YB Pehin Dato Hj Hazair. “The Green Xchange programme offers an opportunity for local business to carry out their ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ (CSR), which should not only be restricted to providing financial support but also in educating the public.”
The Minister later visited a nearby house in Kg Tamoi to help a family recycle their household items. He also viewed a local citizen’s efforts to make a table made out of recycled material. Also present at yesterday’s event was the Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Datin Hjh Adina Othman and the Vice Chancellor of Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Dato Paduka Dr Zulkarnain Hanafi.
The Brunei Times
Source: The Brunei Times
Author: Aaron Alwines
Published Date: 28 January 2013