VI. INFORMATION AND TRAINING NEEDS
A. Public awareness programmes and educational activities
1. Public education and participation
The ASEAN Environment Year was launched in 1995 by the Honourable Minister of Science, Technology and the Environment. ASEAN Environment Year ‘95 was adopted by the ASEAN ministers during the Sixth ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment in April 1994 in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam. The theme "Green and Clean" was chosen to reflect the true spirit of ASEAN and its commitment to the protection of the environment in the region. It was also in line with the ASEAN Environment Year objectives:
As an active member of ASEAN, Malaysia has initiated a number of programmes to fulfil the above objectives. A total of 101 activities have been organized, including exhibitions (8), environmental campaigns (22), seminars/workshops/lectures (33), environmentally themed competitions (12), radio programmes (2), environmental awareness camps (11), award presentations (5), gotong-royong (3) and environmental dialogues (2). In addition, an aerogramme to commemorate ASEAN Environment Year was specially designed for distribution at all post office outlets.
One of the major achievements in organizing the celebrations was the tremendous contribution and support by the private sector and corporate bodies. Their interest and willingness to come forward was an indication that the private sector recognized its social obligations in line with the Malaysia Incorporated concept.