GLOBE BAHRAIN.DIALOGUE AT A CRITICAL TIME

UNCLAS MANAMA 000694

SIPDIS

NEA/PPD JDAVIES AND APENDLETON; NEA/ARP CKANESHIRO;
ECA/PE/C/PY BPERSIKO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV TSPL KGLB OEXC KPAO BA
SUBJECT: GLOBE BAHRAIN.DIALOGUE AT A CRITICAL TIME



1. Bahrain GLOBE high school students continue to
enthusiastically work together with Americans to save the
Earth. To observe Earth Day 2004, PAS coordinated with
the Ministry of Education and GLOBE Bahrain students to
support activities to increase awareness of environmental
issues in Bahrain. On April 21, APAO and PAS FSN joined
250 GLOBE Students from 26 schools, both public and
private, to survey the garbage and pollutants in various
seashore locations in Bahrain.


2. On April 22, GLOBE students participated in a
"Contrail Count-a-Thon" experiment conducted by NASA and
GLOBE. Students observed and measured clouds formed from
water vapor in aircraft exhaust. Their measurements were
reported to NASA scientists as part of a worldwide
experiment. GLOBE students then participated in a web
discussion group with American GLOBE scientists to
exchange ideas about how GLOBE measurements can help
protect the Earth and the impact of these measurements on
the greater scientific community. GLOBE students from
Lebanon, Jordan and Qatar also participated. DCM spoke to
300 students and teachers at a Ministry of Education
organized GLOBE Environmental Awareness Conference on
April 27. PAS distributed Earth Day 2004 posters to the
26 schools in Bahrain that participate in the GLOBE
Program.


3. COMMENT: The GLOBE Program works. At a time when
American credibility faces stark challenges, GLOBE
students demonstrate the positive impact of educational
exchange programming. The science projects and
international experiments that GLOBE students participate
offer a common ground for Bahrainis and Americans to
stand on. Electronic discussion groups of Bahraini
students and Americans are just one example of how a
productive dialogue, albeit not political, continues in
spite of current tensions. Students are excited about
having their research recognized in the U.S. One female
Globe student told the APAO, "Knowing that our data is
important internationally, in places like NASA, makes us
work harder as a GLOBE Bahrain team." END COMMENT.


FORD