Abdullah Shakir Mohamed

Geographical location Lattitude 7°6’35”N to 0°42’24”S Longitude 72°33’19”E to 73°46’13” Census Population: GDP per capita (US$ 2261) 2003 Literacy rate (2001) 98.4% Main Economic activities: Tourism and Fisheries Mother Language: Dhivehi Religion: Islam

Small Islands Voice Activities in the Maldives The Small Islands Voice project activities were initiated in the Maldives on the 15th of June The Small Islands Voice project activities were initiated in the Maldives on the 15th of June 2003.

Opinion Survey An opinion survey at B.Eydhafushi was conducted in order to acquire public views on development, environment and social issues and concerns. Major Issues Identified through the Survey are:- Social issues Opinion on Social, Environment and Economical Issues Opinion on Social, Environment and Economical Issues Lack of team work and increasing conflicts Environmental issues Economy Lack of Banking Facilities Beach erosion Garbage disposal Increased drug abuse

Promoting participation in the SIV Internet Youth Forum by school groups SIV Internet Youth Forum SIV Internet Youth Forum  3 Schools were selected from Southern, Northern and Central Atolls of Maldives  Desktop Computers provided, and Internet Connections were established  From each school a Group of 10 Students from Gr.9 and Gr.10 were selected for SIV activities.  A teacher was assigned from every school to facilitate the students

Opinion Survey Seychelles and Maldives student exchange visits. Exchange Visits Exchange Visits  An exchange trip was organized between the Prasling Secondary School of Seychelles (04-12 th January) and Madhrasathul Ahmadiyya of Maldives to Seychelles (11-19 th Decemeber)  Prasling Secoundary School Students Visit to Maldives oStudents were hosted by the students of Ahmadiyya School. Waste management and Industrial Development Thilafushi island – an industrial site reclaimed by dumping waste Villa Gas, Maldives Cement Factory, Dhivehi Meysthiri, Gulf Craft Ship Yard. Study visits

Opinion Survey Exchange Visits Exchange Visits  Prasling Secoundary School Students Visit to Maldives (Cont…) oStudy visits (Cont…) Hulhumale’ Students were guided through this island which was a vast reclaimed land for providing housing facilities. Newly built Flats, Mosques, School, and industrial zone. Villingili – 5th ward of male’ Creative crafts and art centre – A centre where young people were trained for making creative crafts and artwork.

Opinion Survey Exchange Visits Exchange Visits  Prasling Secoundary School Students Visit to Maldives (Cont…) oStudy visits (Cont…)  Island life  Huraa, Himmafushi and Maafushi Island  Students were guided through a tour to places of interest and also information were provided on Islands education, youth camp, drug rehabilitation centre, waste management mechanisms  Maldivians Social life and culture were also explored in this visit

Opinion Survey Exchange Visits Exchange Visits Sharing the culture  Students enjoyed the culture of both countries

Opinion Survey SIV workshop SIV workshop  SIV Workshop oFollowing the youth exchange visit of Seychelles students to Maldives a workshop to discuss on major developments, social and environmental problems were organised  Two Students from each secondary schools of Male’ and from GDh. AEC and BAEC participated in this workshop.  Major Problems were identified through a participatory method.  Most common issue identified was waste management.  Students discussed about different activities conducted for waste management within their islands

Opinion Survey SIV Worhskop SIV Worhskop  Specific activities carried out by Ahmadiyya School students based on the workshop activities.  School cleaning programs were conducted  Posters and signboards were prepared and kept in the school compound.  Advocacy programs were conducted by the SIV students with the association of environment club students.

Opinion Survey On the ground activities On the ground activities  Waste characterization survey SIV committee in B Atoll Eydhafushi recommended on an activity related to waste management and came up with the idea of waste characterization survey in island homes oSurvey was aimed to collect data on types of waste being disposed everyday by island homes oSurvey participants and interested students were given a lecture on survey methodology, importance of waste management, minimizing waste. oResource person from the Environment Ministry also demonstrated the survey for the students

Opinion Survey On the ground activities On the ground activities

Opinion Survey On the ground activities On the ground activities  Reef Monitoring for Management The SIV Committee in B. Atoll Eydhafushi agreed that the coastal resources, such as reef resources can be managed sustainably,If the local communities are well informed and agree. In this regard there is a greater need to educate and train local communities in self assessment and use the out come of these assessments for self management, particularly to understand the benefits of good management as well as the consequences of no action. AND

Opinion Survey On the ground activities On the ground activities  Reef Monitoring for Management  A Reef Monitoring survey was conducted to address the matter  The survey was adopted for community (School environment club) Level monitoring  The methodology for this program was adopted from the Reefcheck coral reef monitoring protocol ( which has been specifically designed to provide scientifically robust information on the status of the reefs, at the same time this methodology was easy and practical to carry out by people who has limited knowledge on the biology and ecology of the reefs.

Opinion Survey On the ground activities On the ground activities  Reef Survey  The survey was adopted for community (School environment club) Level monitoring  students were given a lecture session on the importance of the reefs, it’s management and also on the survey methodology by a resource person from the Marine Research Centre  Students were guided through a demonstration program by the nearby reef of GDh. Thinadhoo.  Collect data on main groups of reef organisms and substrate in a specific location. The area used was a 100 m. transaction.

Opinion Survey THANK YOU THANK YOU For your Keen Interest