H. H. Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority has officially opened the river inspired artwork exhibition created by students from across the world called \"Rivers of the World\". It is being held at the Heritage House in Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, for the first time in Dubai, UAE from 13th December 2012 to 31st January 2013. The artworks are produced by pupils from the UAE, UK, Argentina, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Korea and Ireland for Rivers of the World, an art and education initiative. The project involves more than 2,000 young people around the world each year and aims to promote a greater understanding and appreciation of the world\'s rivers. Rivers of the World is a Thames Festival project led by the Thames Festival Trust in England and delivered in partnership with the British Council\'s Connecting Classrooms and with support from the HSBC Global Education Programme. HSBC Bank Middle East, Dubai Culture \'&\' Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), Alserkal Cultural Foundation and Sharjah Art Foundation are working hand in hand with British Council to bring this exhibition to UAE. Each year the project links young people from around the world to develop art work based on the study and appreciation of their rivers. This year, students from six government schools in Dubai along with students from Argentina, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Korea and Ireland have been linked with schools in London. The six schools that were nominated by the Ministry of Education in UAE to participate in Rivers of the World are: Al Saeedeya School for Boys, Omer bin Al Khattab Model School for Boys, Umm Suqeim School for Girls, Al Khansa School for Girls, Al Ebdaa Model School for Girls and Nad Al Hamar School for Girls. They spent the last year studying the history, culture and environment of their local river - in UAE, this means the Dubai Creek, and with the help of professional artists Khalid Mezaina and Maie Atabani have produced huge art works inspired by what they have learnt. Over 60 artworks are now on public display at the Heritage House (House no 13) in the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood (previously called Al Bastakiya) and have also been reproduced for exhibitions in riverside venues in London and other participating countries. Eman Yassin Daffar, English teacher and International Coordinator at Al Ebdaa Model School, Dubai partnered with Barking Abbey School in London, United Kingdom, said: \"It has been a real privilege for our staff and students to be involved in such a prestigious global project. The project has given the students the amazing opportunity to bridge the gap between cultures considering the common theme of rivers. The British Council offered me an opportunity to visit the Thames Festival in the UK in September and see the art works firsthand. I am proud to see my students\' art works displayed at such a prestigious location and event. Richard Cotton, Director, British Council, UAE said: \"These striking artworks show how international partnerships between schools can play such an important role in building young people\'s understanding of different cultures, societies and environments. Rivers of the World is a great example of how education and the arts can combine successfully to give the chance to young people in different countries to share, explore and learn together.\" He added: \"The artworks on display have previously been exhibited at the Thames Festival in London this summer. The Festival formed part of UK\'s Cultural Olympiad, focusing on the power of arts to connect and inspire during the 2012 London Olympics and it is with great pride that we bring them here to Dubai. I would like thank our partners in the UAE, HSBC Bank Middle East, Dubai Culture \'&\' Arts Authority, Al Serkal Cultural Foundation and Sharjah Art Foundation, without whose support this exhibition would not have been possible.\" Speaking of their partnership with the British Council on the UAE exhibition, Ammar Shams, Regional Head of Corporate Sustainability said, \"HSBC Bank Middle East is proud to be supporting this initiative which aligns with our goals to enhance the experience of students in different aspects of their education process. This exhibition opens doors for young students to display their thoughts and ideas to the world through the language of art whilst encouraging learning from different cultures\". Salem Belyouha, Director of Projects and Events in the PR, said: \"Much like Dubai, the ?Rivers of the World\' exhibition highlights the global collaboration and ambition, expressed creatively through the arts in the city. \"The exhibition further underlines the city\'s position as the cultural and artistic destination of the region. We are delighted to partner with the British Council to stimulate intercultural dialogue through the medium of art.\" Artist Khalid Mezaina, Emirati artist who worked with the UAE students said: \"Rivers of the World is an incredibly exciting project which is constantly increasing in value. It is a wonderful opportunity to work with young people on the themes that we have developed over the lifetime of the project. The students are encouraged to explore the culture, history and environmental consequences of rivers, using a diverse visual language which produces incredibly imaginative pieces of work. It is an amazing opportunity for them to have the work exhibited globally and to reach such an international audience.\" During the exhibition, from December to January, special art workshops will be taking place for children aged 8 to 14 years at Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood. In December, participants will receive the opportunity to develop recognition and understanding of the self and the world. They will be able to actively participate in a creative process and interpret the concepts to form a personalized work of art. In January, four workshops closely related to the six themes presented by ROTW will help students learn and develop knowledge about the Dubai Creek. To engage the public and visitors of Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Rivers of the world in collaboration with Sharjah Art Foundation will host \"Mapping Dubai Creek\", a cartography exercise for residents to creatively map Dubai Creek and its surrounding areas. The result will be an interactive map that highlights unique spaces of personal interest and importance to people as members of the community.