Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, spent the day, picking rubbish from the seabed during a dive off the Marina as he sought to deliver a message to protect the environment.
"I heard you. Thank you for your incredible contributions. After careful consideration, I have chosen to dedicate my day to cleaning the sea," he said.
He had earlier asked social media followers how he should spend International Volunteer Day, and received 6,000 ideas in six days.
"Making a difference to the environment starts with the small changes we make in our everyday lives."
The ideas were meant to inspire and encourage others to follow suit.
Those who suggested the initiative were also invited to accompany Sheikh Hamdan on his quest.
Sheikh Hamdan expressed his delight in children's participation, namely Mohammad and Saeed Subaih Al Falasi, and Abdullah Ahmad AlMarri, as well as more than 25 diving experts of different ages and nationalities.
"I was delighted to have received the suggestion of diving and cleaning the marine environment from the Emirati child Rashed Marwan AlMarri and Indian child Hanan Mohammed Ali – both who are not older than 12,” he said.
“This is a testament to our children’s awareness of the importance of preserving marine environment and ensuring that future generations get to enjoy a healthy and clean environment in the years to come. Our city is our home and we are all responsible for its cleanliness and for sustaining its resources.
“The activity conducted today not only raises awareness about the importance of preserving the environment but also effectively marries our vision for environmental volunteering and the country’s efforts in this space,” he added.
"There’s a clear correlation between environmental preservation and volunteer work, in large part because the environment affects all aspects of a community and those in it.
“We have developed rules, strategic plans and programmes that support the preserving of the environment and our natural resources – all in support of the government’s larger vision of investing in people and achieving a happy and healthy community.
"Volunteer work is one of the most important means for advancement in society and its success depends on various factors - most importantly, a driven population that believes in volunteer work and its positive impact on society."
