In a competition between more than 90 private schools across the UAE, 4 classes (Lycee Louis Massignon Abudhabi, Smart Vision School Dubai, Ambassador School Sharjah and GEMS Legacy Dubai) were announced as winners for their efforts and creativity in the Arla Food Moovers programme that for months have been part of the school’s curriculum to inspire children for better food habits and a sustainable lifestyle. The Programme has been created by teachers and launched by the Arla Foundation. What started out as an idea in Denmark is now also being implemented in the UAE together with the support of the UAE authorities in charge of private schools ( ADEK, SPEA and KHDA), and with the support of the Royal Danish Consulate in Dubai.
Through their lessons, the students have used a learning platform giving them a greater knowledge and understanding the importance of food habits as a way to a healthier lifestyle for example via the lunchboxes and healthy alternatives in the canteens. Some students even interviewed and confronted the school principals about the issue. Through creativity, the classes created impressive videos with solutions to solve the problems about unhealthy food habits.
Ambassador Lars Steen Nielsen, Consul General, and Bertrand Favre, Vice President and General Manager at Arla Foods in UAE gave the opening speeches and described the importance of creating awareness about this issue. They both highlighted that all participating students in programme are considered winners, as they have all received important, and perhaps life changing lessons. As stated by one of the students the Arla Food Programme has changed her life and it is something that she will remember not only in school, but also in everyday life, and for the future.