EXXON AZERBAIJAN SUPPORTS CELEBRATION OF THE EARTH DAY IN
AZERBAIJAN
Baku, April 23, 2003 -- Exxon Azerbaijan Operating Company, LLC ("Exxon
Azerbaijan"), an ExxonMobil subsidiary, supported a series of events in
celebration of Earth Day to help develop ecological awareness in Azerbaijan.
Working together with government and non-government organizations, Exxon Azerbaijan
provided funding to clean up parks, plant trees, and conduct competitions for
the best articles and drawings on ecological topics among several Baku schools.
With Exxon Azerbaijan support, the Center of Ecological Training and Experience
at the Ministry of Education (Ecological Education Center) organized the Earth
Day celebration at the Nizami park. To encourage children's enthusiasm and
make the event more festive, the Center carried out various games on ecological
themes. All action participants received certificates and gifts. Fizuli Ahmadov,
the director of Ecological Education Center, said "Success of the celebration
was the result of great interest and enthusiasm of children towards environmental
issues". Exxon Azerbaijan employees participated in the event as volunteers
and helped children clean up the park and plant trees.
In addition, Exxon Azerbaijan funded a three month long environmental education
program implemented by Saniya Humanitarian Information Agency (Saniya) together
with the Caucasus International Social Center on Country Study and Ecological
tourism (Qafgaz). Students of schools # 86, 99 and 157 had the opportunity to
participate in interactive lessons and discussions and to share their concerns,
hopes and wishes about present ecological problems and future of the environment.
Saniya and Qafgaz conducted a two-hour marathon on Lider radio station, with
participation of the Minister of Ecology, ExxonMobil management and the US Ambassador
to help raise public awareness about environmental issues. Saniya also published
ecological posters and brochures, cleaned a park in Khatai district of Baku
and conducted competitions on the best ecological photograph and article to
improve children's knowledge of environmental issues.
Drew Goodbread, General Manager of Exxon Azerbaijan stated, "Supporting
education and environmental projects in the communities in which we operate
is a long term tradition for ExxonMobil. We are pleased to sponsor a series
of events dedicated to the Earth Day celebration in Azerbaijan. Participation
in those events has been inspirational for everybody and confirmed the importance
of environmental education." Exxon Azerbaijan did not forget about children
from Sumgait schools. Nearly 100 students who participated at the Earth Day
celebration event in Sumgait, organized by Gulum Ecological Center, received
presents from Exxon Azerbaijan.
Exxon Azerbaijan's contributions continue to be focused on ecological education
projects. The company has previously supported publication of Azerbaijan Children's
encyclopedias, an ecological ABC Book, and helped establish Nature Corners at
several Baku schools.
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