Under the patronage and presence of His Excellency the Minister of Culture Dr. Ghattas Khoury, IPT Energy Center (IPTEC) and Fabriano Lebanon launched officially on the 3rd of November 2017, at USJ , the 2nd Drawing Exhibition under the theme "Walk & Bike More to Improve Your Health and the Environment".
After the national anthem, The Minister Dr. Khoury, President of IPTEC Dr. Toni Issa and Fabriano Director in Lebanon Mr. Jean Claude Nahas, - surrounded by winning students and their families - watched a documentary showing IPTEC and Fabriano's collaboration since 2015, especially the several workshops and schools visits to introduce the eco-driving concept to more than 100.000 students from all over Lebanon. Showcasing more than 170 winning drawings in Fabriano Drawing Contest 2015-2016, this exhibition comes after the success of the first exhibition held at the UNESCO in 2016, under the theme "Be The Eco-Drivers of Tomorrow".
Minister Khoury welcomed IPTEC and Fabriano's initiative noting that it reaches students from all over Lebanon. He then expressed his strong belief on the power of younger generations on making a real change to the world, especially when it comes to environmental consciousness. Besides, he insisted on the necessity of building pedestrian sidewalks to offer a safe path and enjoyable ride.
In his speech, Dr. Issa thanked HE Minister Khoury for his support. He then explained that the aim from this activity is to educate the younger generation about the importance of walking and cycling to reduce vehicle use, lower polluting emissions, avoid traffic congestion, and improve health.
In his turn, Mr. Nahas shed the light on the importance of Fabriano's annual drawing competition in creating socially responsible and environmentally friendly generations. He then expressed his gratitude on the creative imagination and great talent of the participating students. After that, he thanked Dr. Issa and IPTEC team for suggesting interesting themes every year, proving to be a strategic partner in this activity, and for playing a major part in this interscholastic contest.
The Minister did a tour where he was listening to the winners testimonials explaining their environmental concerns and motives behind their drawings. The hundreds of drawings expressed distinctively the environmental issue of air pollution from land transport in Lebanon, and suggested practical solutions by highlighting the benefits of walking and cycling.
In line with the above, IPTEC also collaborated with Beirut By Bike in a draw that took place during the event to offer bicycles, free bike rental coupons, tire inflators, posters and many other gifts.
It is Important to note that IPTEC-Fabriano Exhibition comes within the framework of the "National Campaign for Air Pollution Reduction in Lebanon Through Efficient Energy Use in Land Transportation" launched by IPTEC with the support of the Ministry of the Environment, ESCWA and UNDP in 2012, which included a well-integrated advertising campaign to promote awareness about Eco-driving.
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