ASEAN Celebrates the ASEAN Environmentally Sustainable Development Film Festival 2011
Environment Ministers from ASEAN Member States as well as China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea joined the celebration of the ASEAN Environmentally Sustainable Development Film Festival with the theme 'Change the Climate Change' in Phnom Penh .
"The Film Festival aims to inspire and promote awareness of ASEAN citizens on the importance of multi-stakeholders' participation in addressing climate change. The richness of experiences in varied circumstances shows us many different ways for each of us to take part actively in environmental stewardship to attain the ASEAN Community by 2015," said Dr Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary-General of ASEAN.
The ASEAN region is endowed with rich natural resources that sustain essential life support systems both for the region and the world. ASEAN, as elsewhere, however, is facing an enormous challenge in addressing climate change, a defining and most challenging sustainable development issue of the 21st century. The sense of urgency among all levels of communities in the world is therefore heightened for continued efforts to address this challenging issue.
The Film Festival is a part of the implementation of ASEAN Environmental Education Action Plan (AEEAP) 2008-2012, which aims to inspire and promote awareness of ASEAN citizens on the importance of multi-stakeholders' participation in addressing climate change. The short films provide brief highlights of unique, creative, indigenous and impactful initiatives taken by Malaysia, ranging from government, private sector, international organisations, civil society groups, to academia, to contribute to collective efforts in tackling climate change.
At the end of the film screenings, token of appreciation in a form of trophy were presented by Dr Mok Mareth, Senior Minister, Minister of Environment, Cambodia, to the filmmaker, National Secondary School of Dato' Penggawa Barat, Malaysia and their representatives as a recognition for their efforts in making valuable documentation for the Film Festival, and to inspire and encourage them to continue showing appreciation and care for the environment. The trophy represents the collective effort of all ASEAN Member States in promoting public awareness and participation in addressing environmental issues through the Film Festival with a vision of Clean and Green ASEAN.
