Awareness is an important tool for the sensitisation of public opinion to environmental issues and challenges. In this respect, MSEA, together with its executive institution, the EEAA, regard this issue as a priority, realizing the significant role public awareness can play in promoting sound environmental practices. Moreover, putting principles of sound environmental management and protection into practice requires the presence of a solid base of capacities, both within the MSEA and EEAA, as well as within other governmental, academic, private and voluntary organizations. To this end, continuous support is provided to environmental training and awareness activities and initiatives.

During 2000/2001, the successful partnership between the MSEA and EEAA on one hand, and the Media on another was carried further. In this respect, programs targeting the general public were conducted, including the broadcasting of 13 environmental television programs and 35 radio programs, as well as a number of competitions. Moreover, 28 national newspapers and magazines are now engaged in environmental awareness, in close cooperation with the MSEA and EEAA, featuring regular environmental pages. Various EEAA publications and brochures were prepared and disseminated through national and regional environmental exhibitions and events, such as the "Waste 2001" conference and trade fair held in Cairo, focusing on solid waste management technologies and practices, as well as the "Environment 2001" exhibition held in Abu Dhabi. Yearly public events also organized by the MSEA and EEAA during 2000/2001 include the International Ozone Day (16th September), Earth Day (22nd April), and the International, Arab and National Environment Days (5th June, 14th October, and 27th January, respectively).

Children present a primary target group for public awareness activities. One of the most significant of these initiatives is the Green Corner Libraries, launched as a pioneering initiative by H.E. Mrs. Suzan Mubarak in 1998 to promote environmental literacy and awareness among children . The pilot phase of the program was initiated in the Children's Museum and 6 libraries belonging to the Integrated Care Associations, all of which offer a green space to allow the interaction of children with nature. Currently, the program includes 62 libraries nationwide.

In accordance to the importance accorded to reaching youths, support was provided for the development and establishment of environmental groups in forty youth centers, as well as the establishment of an environmental youth camp on Lake Bardawil, Northern Sinai, under construction. Moreover, and with the objective of raising the awareness of youths to the dangers of smoking, an anti-smoking awareness campaign was organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.

In addition to the above, a wide range of other initiatives are carried out in partnerships with a large number of partners. These include the Ministries of Education, Youth, Health, and Communication, as well as the Integrated Care Association, universities, NGO's, Development Assistance Organizations, and the Private Sector. One of the largest of such initiatives is the "Friends of the Environment" Festival, an annual summer event held in low income urban and rural communities, and carrying out shows, competitions and environmental debates for children. Another initiative is the "Khadra campaign", where "Khadra", depicted as a special friend of the environment, represents the central character in the campaign. The campaign's focus during its first year is on solid waste management, in line with national needs, as expressed by the priorities of the MSEA.

As with regards to capacity building and environmental training activities, various training programs have been conducted during 2000/2001. One such program for youth focused on the linkage between health and environment. To date the program has outreached 2220 students and 200 health officials nationwide. Another training program was especially designed for developing environmental leadership skills for 885 young leaders, selected from youth centres and secondary schools in Egypt's 26 governorates.

Other activities were primarily targeting the workforce associated with environmental education, management and protection. In this respect, 17 training courses were conducted for governmental authorities and organizations in the fields of environmental education, media, solid waste management, healthcare waste management, and judicial impoundment. Moreover, and following the priority of the MSEA and EEAA in building their own capacities in order to best carry out their responsibilities, a number of training courses were held during 2000/2001 for staff members, in a wide variety of technical and administrative fields.

As for EEAA staff, 46 local training programs were delivered to 711 staff member, while a total of 44 staff member received overseas environmental training programs in Abou Dhabi, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sweden, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States. These training programs addressed different environmental issues including: