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Saturday, October 23, 2004 |
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Hong Kong Disneyland Launches Second Annual
Jiminy Cricket's Environmentality Challenge
Reinforcing the philosophy "Every little bits makes a BIG difference"
HONG KONG (October 23, 2004) - Hong Kong Disneyland today launched the second annual Jiminy Cricket's Environmentality Challenge, a worldwide education initiative designed to encourage children to take responsible action towards protecting the environment.
Riding on the success of last year's program, Hong Kong Disneyland together with the Environmental Protection Department (EPD), invited teachers and students from all over Hong Kong to participate in a vibrant launch ceremony, which featured a special appearance by Disney's Environmentality "Spokescricket" Jiminy - the loveable and conscientious character from the classic Disney story, Pinocchio.
Don Robinson, Group Managing Director for Hong Kong Disneyland, and Dr. Michael Chiu, Deputy Director of Environmental Protection officiated at the ceremony, while the winners from last year's program were invited to share their experiences on how they have applied the idea of environmentality - thinking and acting with the environment in mind at school, at home, and in the community - into their daily lives.
"In the same way that Jiminy was Pinocchio's official conscience by always steering him back to the correct path, Jiminy Cricket's Environmentality Challenge was developed to remind us all that careful consideration should be given to our environment on a daily basis - from planting a tree to recycling plastic bags to reduce waste.
"Jiminy Cricket's Environmentality Challenge uses Jiminy's motto, 'Every little bit makes a big difference!' to encourage primary school children to think of creative ways to build a better environment for our beautiful city. After all, it's the 'little bits' that count towards a ensuring a brighter future," Robinson said.
In 2003, more than 40,000 Hong Kong students participated in Jiminy Cricket's Environmentality Challenge, with a further 500,000 students participating in the U.S.A. since the program was launched there 10 years ago.
Jiminy Cricket's Environmentality Challenge is a fun and exciting opportunity for teachers to lead their students from a mere awareness of environmental concerns to an understanding of local issues and finally to responsible action. It welcomes all primary school students to participate, The program consists of two parts, the Environmentality Pledge and the Class Project Competition.
Students who take the pledge will discuss environmental challenges in their class and make a commitment to protecting the environment.
Participants can also take the Challenge to the next level by taking part in the Class Project Competition. Together, they identify a "real-world" environmental challenge and implement an action plan to improve the environment.
The class submits a summary of their project in a portfolio that is to be submitted for judging on or before 20 January 2005. A panel of judges comprising representatives from Hong Kong Disneyland, the Environmental Protection Department and green groups will evaluate the projects and select the grand prize winners.
Ten outstanding classes will be selected with each being awarded a cash prize of HK$4,000, a Jiminy Cricket Environmentality Challenge plaque and other gifts.
Entry forms will be sent to all primary schools. Schools can also download entry forms from Hong Kong Disneyland Website www.hongkongdisneyland.com or EPD Website www.epd.gov.hk. Deadline for registration with the program is 19 November 2004.
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About Hong Kong Disneyland
The Hong Kong Disneyland project was announced in November 1999 as a venture between The Walt Disney Company and the Hong Kong SAR Government. With the completion of reclamation for Hong Kong Disneyland Phase I by the Hong Kong SAR Government, Disney began construction in January 2003 with the project scheduled to open in late 2005/ early 2006. The opening day program for Hong Kong Disneyland will include a Disneyland-style theme park and two hotels. The Phase I build-out includes a projected 10 million annual visitor Disneyland-style theme park, 2,100 hotel rooms, and an area for retail, dining and entertainment. The project is estimated to create 18,000 new jobs at opening (both Disney and other employment) growing to 36,000 once the first park reaches build-out. The Hong Kong SAR Government estimated that the first phase of the project will generate a present economic value of HK$148 billion (US$19 billion) in benefits to Hong Kong over a 40-year period.
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