WAFA Patron and Representatives Meet in Jordan
President Tina Lindgreen and representative for Italy, Dr. Silvia Ficini, MD, are currently visiting Jordan at the invitation of WAFA patron HRH Princess Basma bint Ali of Jordan
By Ancuta Tarta - WAFA Journalist
President Tina Lindgreen and representative for Italy Dr. Silvia Ficini (MD) are currently visiting Jordan, at the invitation of WAFA patron HRH Princess Basma bint Ali of Jordan, to identify potential candidates to the 2016 WAF Awards and new opportunities for collaboration.
The Royal Botanical Garden (photo top right)
The visit included a private tour of the Royal Botanical Garden of Jordan (RBG). Founded by HRH Princess Basma bint Ali, the RBG is a model of sustainability and an inspiration for the kind of initiatives WAFA seeks to promote.
Established in 2005, the garden is a nonprofit organisation aiming to preserve and restore the natural ecosystems of Jordan. It is also a giant demonstration site of the synergic relationship between man and nature and showcases environmentally compatible solutions of sustainable living that can be replicated by the average Jordanian.
Eco-Dome (photo middle right)
One example are the Eco-Domes, a unique and ecological way of building with earth. Developed based on research on local natural construction materials, Eco-Domes are a proof earth-based construction is viable, and sustainable. They are energy efficient, weather tight, and rock solid, with a minimum use of concrete.
Petra, the ancient water management pioneer (photo bottom right)
The visit continued to the historical city of Petra, an invaluable cultural heritage included by UNESCO into the 7 New Wonders of the World in 2007. Established 3 centuries BC, Petra is famous for the rose colour of the stone in which it is carved. Behind its beauty, city was an ancient model of sustainability. Dams, cisterns, water conduits and other innovations controlled the floods in the area and made the Rose City’s economy thrive - an oasis in the desert.
Tomb carved in stone - one of the many architectural sites Petra.
Visit at the UN Relief and Work Agency
WAFA representatives also visited the United Nations Relief and Works Agency in Amman. Tina Lindgreen and UNRWA public information officer, Ms. Anwar Abu-Sakieneh, agreed on a collaboration to identify WAF Awards candidates from the Camp Improvement Programmes of “urban planning”, water harvesting and sustainable energy, and “environmental health infrastructure”. UNRWA provides assistance and protection of 5 million Palestinian refugees - 1.5 million of which are camped in Jordan.
Resources:
The Royal Botanical Garden of Jordan http://royalbotanicgarden.org/
UN Relief and Work Agency http://www.unrwa.org/
