Launch of the First Round of the Initiative “Our Environment, Our Life” with a Symposium Entitled “Waste Recycling and Climate Issues” at the Faculty of Home Economics – Helwan University

Under the patronage of Prof. Dr. El-Sayed Kandil, President of Helwan University; Prof. Dr. Walid El-Sorougy, Vice President for Community Service and Environmental Development; Prof. Dr. Enas Badir, Dean of the Faculty of Home Economics; and Prof. Dr. Khaled Abed, Acting Vice Dean for Community Service and Environmental Affairs, and in the presence of Prof. Dr. Nabaweya Abdel-Azim, Director of the Quality Assurance Unit, and Prof. Dr. Rabab Hassan, Director of the Environmental Protection Unit, the first round of the initiative “Our Environment, Our Life” was launched through a symposium entitled “Waste Recycling and Climate Issues”. The event took place on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at the Faculty’s Discussion Hall.

The symposium was delivered by Dr. Hoda Mohamed Shaaban, the initiator and proposer of “Our Environment, Our Life”, Director of the Faculty’s Production Unit Branch, Director of the Information Technology Unit, Deputy Director of the Quality Assurance Unit, and a member of both the Environmental Protection Unit and the Crisis and Disaster Management Unit. The symposium formed part of the implementation plan of the Environmental Protection Unit.

Key Themes of the Symposium:

• Introduction to the initiative and invitation for students’ active participation.
• Definition of climate change, its causes, and consequences.
• Explanation of greenhouse gases and their role in global warming.
• The concept of the carbon footprint, its importance, and methods of reduction.
• Tools for measuring individual carbon footprints.
• Anticipated impacts of climate change.
• Practical proposals for mitigating climate change.
• The concept, stages, and environmental benefits of waste recycling.
• Screening of a TV program segment presented by Dr. Hoda Shaaban on creative recycling of old clothes and its role in reducing the carbon footprint.
• Presentation of ideas and images of recycling projects and activities implemented within the framework of the initiative.
• Interactive discussions, feedback from students, and commentary from faculty members.
• Closing remarks, appreciation to participants, and recommendations for expanding the initiative.

The symposium witnessed strong engagement from students, many of whom expressed their willingness to participate in the initiative through awareness caravans to train their peers in recycling practices and to create tangible recycled products to be showcased in the Faculty’s exhibition.

Objectives of the Initiative:

• Protecting and improving the environmental conditions at the Faculty of Home Economics – Helwan University.
• Raising environmental awareness among students and integrating them into climate action strategies.
• Promoting the Faculty’s role in addressing environmental and community challenges.
• Encouraging community participation across different disciplines in combating climate change.

Activities of the Initiative:

• Awareness lectures, workshops, and forums.
• Recycling campaigns, greening, and beautification projects.
• Student-led creative activities (artwork, theater, recycled products).
• Organizing an environmental exhibition and inter-departmental competition for the best environmental activity.
• Honoring winners and presenting certificates of appreciation.
• Institutionalizing the initiative as an annual event to ensure sustainability of impact.

📌 Initiative proposed and symposium presented by:
Dr. Hoda Mohamed Shaaban – Member of the Environmental Protection Unit.