MEEP Project

The Mobile Environmental Education Programme (MEEP) an outreach environment project which created environmental consciousness among the youth and children of the country through using technology and promoting conservation in the rural areas of the country. The programme was conducted in two main tributaries.

Initially the project was conceptualized with three main objectives. These were :

  • School Workshops conducted by the Biodiversity and Elephant Conservation Trust (BECT)
  • Radio Programme ‘Rakimu Api Parisaraya’ for the school children below the age of 10.

The Radio Programme was launched on the 18th of November 2007 and is broadcast every Sunday at 6.30 p.m. on the Sinhalese Commercial service of the SLBC. The School workshops were unleashed on the 23rd of January 2008 and have completed 105 schools in 8 months.

The Mobile Environmental Education Programme (MEEP)

“The Future Today” is the slogan used to map Dialog Telekom in the Sri Lankan hearts. The future world will be inhabited by today’s child. Therefore the company’s social involvement strongly pivots around supporting the children of the country. The MEEP programme is one such instance where the environment consciousness stressed out in the M-waste project is cultivated in the Sri Lankan student community.

The programme was a collaboration of regulative bodies, corporate society and the environmentalist working towards one goal. Dialog Telekom was instrumental in bringing the following parties to launch the project.

  • Central Environmental Authority (CEA)– With an established school network.
  • Ministry of Education (MoE) – with authority to grant approval to carry out school workshops.
  • Biodiversity and Elephant Conservation Trust(BECT)  – Enthusiasm to carry out workshops.
  • World Conservation Trust (IUCN) – With strong network and local and international reputation.

Dialog’s Environmental friendly message was taken to the schools by BECT in form of an interactive workshop. The team of facilitators arrived at the school in a branded van. In a matter of eight minutes a normal classroom (or sometimes the shade of a tree) transformed into a stage for the workshop to be delivered. In areas where electricity was not available a power generator is used.

The workshops unfolded with two colourful and animated presentations on the natural environment of Sri Lanka and the Biodiversity of Sri Lanka (presentations in CD). The importance, value and the beauty of environment was spelled out while always focusing the places of regional significance which the children normally accustom with.

The IUCN, MoE and the CEA formed the steering committee of the project. They assessed the workshop and provided technical and practical guidelines to BECT in conducting the workshops, and having a feedback for the effect of the project. The steering committee was also instrumental in mapping out a network for schools to enhance the environmental awareness and education.

During 2008,150 school workshops were conducted where an estimated number of more than 20,000 students ranging from ages 12 – 18 benefited.

IUCN – World Conservation Trust
Good communication is an essential tool for bridging gaps in our approaches to development and conservation. Companies can assist in this effort and improve their environmental performance by engaging in dialogue with governments and civil society. IUCN is happy to support Dialog to expand and mobilize these mechanisms by building environmental consciousness through enhancement of education, for the greater good of our country.

Asanka Abeykoon, Coordinator – IUCN.

BECT – Biodiversity and Elephant Conservation Trust
“Dialog has taken the laudable initiative to help the children in the rural schools to learn and understand their environment and its connected issues. They learn how they could help to conserve the environment and the rich biodiversity of the island”.

Jayantha Jayewardene, Managing Trustee – BECT.
(03-09-2008)

MoE – Ministry of Education
“We are glad to approve Dialog’s effort in creating environmental consciousness in our children. We grant full permission to conduct the workshop in any school of the country. “

Mr. W. Dharmadasa, Additional Secretary – MoE.
(25-03-2008)


Live Chat (Now Online)
Click Here