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WEEC2024: a global gathering for sustainable solutions

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The twelfth edition of the World Environmental Education Congress (WEEC) kicks off in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The opening ceremony saw the participation of prominent figures, including H.E. Dr. Shaikha Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, UAE; H.H. Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, President and CEO of the UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA); Mario Salomone, Secretary-General of the World Environmental Education Congress Network; and Elizabeth Wathuti, Kenyan youth activist, Founder, and Executive Director of Green Generation Initiative, Kenya.

The WEEC Network Secretary-General Mario Salomone addressed the theme of interdisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity, emphasizing that the environment represents the crossroads of perspectives and is the ideal ground for building such approaches. He highlighted that the challenge of environmental crises is not merely academic but involves Western science, the relationship between expert knowledge and traditional knowledge, raises ethical-political issues, and requires a profound restructuring of knowledge, structures, and laws. He announced a new collaboration between the Club of Rome and the global WEEC network, emphasizing the importance of demonstrating the centrality of environmental education. This collaboration aims to better understand the nature of learning today, based on the message conveyed by the Club of Rome’s report, “No Limits to Learning.”

Dr. Shaikha Al Dhaheri focused her speech on three crucial themes: climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. H.H. Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, in her address, highlighted the importance of the involvement of women and youth, emphasized significant transformations in the United Arab Emirates, and underscored the transformative power of education.

Plenary 1: the triple planetary crisis – aligning EE and ESD

During subsequent plenary sessions, numerous national and international authorities contributed, including H.E. Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, President of IUCN, who stated, “Government action alone is not sufficient; everyone’s help is needed. WEEC plays a crucial role, inspiring, empowering, and embracing the new economy.” She also announced a commitment to creating a roadmap for developing an educational set for young people.
Following H.E. Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak’s remarks, Jack Dangermond, President, Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), USA, ha preso la parola.
Mr. Dangermond highlighted the success and challenges faced by our species, acknowledging the exponential growth in technology over the last 300 years. He expressed concern about the human footprint dominating the planet’s evolution and how it now poses a threat to our future, especially due to overpopulation. He stressed the critical need for understanding and collaboration to address the challenges ahead.

High level leaders’ panel discussion

After them, several other notable speakers took the stage during subsequent panel discussion:
Abdul-Majeid Haddad, Deputy Regional Director, UNEP, West Asia O¬ce, Lebanon, emphasized the importance of educators having an environmental spirit and transferring it to education. He discussed the role of educators as custodians for laws, needing to provide incentives for environmental education through both formal and informal approaches. Formal education would involve legal frameworks, while informal education would inspire youth to become champions and educators themselves.
Panelists:
H.E. Dr. Amna Al Dahak Al Shamsi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, United Arab Emirates.
Dr. Al Shamsi emphasized that environmental education is not solely the responsibility of educators but of everyone. She highlighted the power and connectivity of education, reaching every household. To integrate environmental education into daily life, it must be instilled as part of people’s values, especially considering they are the future educators and scientists.

H.E. Mamo Boru Mamo, Director General, National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Kenya.
Mr. Mamo discussed the need to supervise and coordinate environmental issues in Kenya due to limited resources. He emphasized the importance of laws and regulations in the constitution to manage and protect the environment. Addressing environmental quality should be both an individual and collective effort.
Lorenzo Fioramonti, Former Education Minister, Italy.
Mr. Fioramonti shared his experience encouraging students to strike for better education. He highlighted the difficulty of changing school curricula but stressed the importance of introducing environmental sustainability as an experiential subject. Investing in education is crucial for building a strong economy, with children being fundamental ambassadors of change.
Ginger Potter, Senior Education Specialist, Environmental Protection Agency – USA.
Ms. Potter addressed the challenge of environmental education not being mandated by the constitution in the USA, leading to only half of the states incorporating it into their curriculum. She emphasized the need for government investment and laws to ensure every student learns about the environment, framing it as a national security issue.

WEEC kicks off with great success and will continue until February 2, 2024. The World Environmental Education Congress represents a crucial catalyst for inspiring, empowering, and embracing the new economy, continuing to play a fundamental role in promoting a sustainable future through environmental education.

Illuminating the green future: distinguished speakers at the 12th WEEC in Abu Dhabi

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With the twelfth World Environmental Education Congress (WEEC) set to take place in Abu Dhabi from January 29 to February 2, the world will have the opportunity to listen and learn from a cadre of visionary experts and leaders in the environmental field. The Congress, which is already open for registrations, will serve as a catalyst for ideas and discussions aimed at shaping a greener and more sustainable future in the realm of education.

Spotlight on international visionaries

The speaker lineup comprises internationally renowned figures, experts, and industry thought leaders, all united by a common passion for environmental education and sustainable development.

H.E. Shaikha Al Dhaheri – Secretary-General, Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi

Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, will be among the distinguished speakers. With a Ph.D. in Wildlife Conservation and Protection from the University of Aberdeen in the United Kingdom, she is the first Emirati woman to achieve this accolade. Her leadership is crucial for safeguarding natural resources and promoting sustainable development in the emirate.

H.E. Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak – President, IUCN

Her Excellency Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), brings over twenty years of commitment to a sustainable future in the United Arab Emirates. Her election as the president of IUCN in September 2021 makes her the second woman to lead the organization in its 75-year history and its first president from West Asia.

Akpezi Ogbuigwe – Chairperson, Earth Charter International Council, and Regional Advisor for Africa, UNU/RCE’s

Dr. Akpezi Ogbuigwe, a respected practitioner in environmental law and education for global futures, will be present as the Chairperson of the Earth Charter International Council. Her diverse experience includes roles at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and as Adviser for the African Region at UNU-RCE’s.

Carlos Alvarez Pereira – Vice President, The Club of Rome, Spain

Carlos Alvarez Pereira, Vice President of The Club of Rome, will contribute his over 30 years of experience in research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and business management. His keen interest in complexity thinking and transdisciplinarity is vital for exploring the cultural transformation required for equitable human well-being within a healthy biosphere.

David Orr – Professor of Environmental Studies and Politics and Senior Adviser to the President of Oberlin College

Prof. David W. Orr, a Paul Sears Distinguished Professor of Environmental Studies and Politics and senior adviser to the president of Oberlin College, will bring his wisdom as a founding editor of the journal Solutions and as the executive director of the Oberlin Project, a collaborative effort for the resilience, prosperity, and sustainability of Oberlin.

Elizabeth Wathuti – Kenyan Environmentalist and Young Climate Leader, Kenya, and Founder of the Green Generation Initiative (GGI)

Elizabeth Wathuti, a dedicated environmentalist and dynamic young climate leader from Kenya, will be a strong voice for environmental preservation. As the Founder of the Green Generation Initiative, she played a crucial role in supporting the largest delegation of African youth at COP27 in Egypt.

Jeffrey Sachs – President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network and Director of the Center for Sustainable Development, Columbia University

Prof. Jeffrey D. Sachs, University Professor and Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, will bring his extensive academic and advisory experience to promote sustainable development goals.

Judy Braus – Executive Director, North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE)

Judy Braus, with her wealth of experience in environmental education, assumes the role of Executive Director of the North American Association for Environmental Education. Her focus on diversity and inclusion is crucial for creating healthier and more sustainable communities through education.

Ricky Kej – Internationally Renowned Music Composer, Environmentalist and Professor

Three Times Grammy Award Winner, Awarded as the United Nations “Global Humanitarian Artist,” UNESCO MGIEP Ambassador, UNCCD “Land Ambassador,” UNICEF ‘Celebrity Supporter.’

Three-times Grammy Award-winning Indian music composer and environmentalist Ricky Kej will bring his passion through music. In addition to his musical achievements, Kej serves as a UNHCR “Goodwill Ambassador,” UNCCD Land Ambassador, and UNESCO – MGIEP “Global Ambassador for Kindness.”

Building a green future through environmental education

With such a prestigious lineup of speakers, the twelfth WEEC Congress promises to be a unique opportunity to inspire, enlighten, and trigger crucial discussions to shape a greener and more sustainable future in the field of education. Participation is open to all who share the mission of building a better world for everyone, based on a deep understanding of the environment and environmental education. Do not miss the opportunity to be part of this extraordinary experience.

For more information and registration details, visit WEEC 12 website