Tag Archive for: WEEC12

The programme of WEEC2024: everything you need to know

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The 12th World Environmental Education Congress in Abu Dhabi, from January 29 to February 2, 2024 is about to be an incredibly meaningful and exciting experience for all Environmental Education enthusiasts attending. 5 days of presentations, discussions,  learning and networking opportunities, educational field trips and much more: we are looking forward to meeting in the capital city of the UAE in the name of sustainability. Let’s delve into this rich and articulate programme: here’s everything you need to know before the 12th WEEC Congress.

The Congress Sessions
During the congress, 287 sessions will take place. This number includes both plenary and parallel sessions: the former being important collective moments of discussions with some of the most esteemed personalities in the EE field, such as the opening session with Secretary General of WEEC Network, Mario Salomone and Secretary General of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri; the latters comprising all of the different sessions where delegates will present their abstracts and works. The Parallel Sessions are divided into the four thematic groups: the Challenges, the Goals, the Dimensions and the Means. 

YEEC Congress
The Youth Environmental Education Conference (YEEC) is a dedicated program for participants aged 13–30 from around the world. Aligned with the WEEC Congress, this unique platform caters to youth interested in environmentalism, categorizing them into three groups: Youngsters (13–17 years), Young Adults (18–21 years), and Young Professionals (22–30 years). Here, participants have the opportunity to express their thoughts, articulate ideas, and contribute new energies to discussions on environmental education and sustainability. This setting also facilitates networking and connections with fellow environmental enthusiasts from various countries.

Honourable Speakers
In the history of the WEEC Congress, our network has consistently had the honor of hosting distinguished personalities in the field who share their insights with the Congress audience. This year is no exception: our esteemed panel of Honourable Speakers will provide unique and significant perspectives on Environmental Education throughout the entire duration of the Congress. The lineup includes young and passionate activists like Elizabeth Wathuti, esteemed and recognized professionals such as Lorenzo Fioramonti, influential authors like Gunter Pauli, and renowned artists like Ricki Kej. This diverse and eclectic group of speakers will shed light on the importance of environmentalism and education across various fields and sectors

Side events
Book launches, interactive activities, workshops, and engaging dialogues with other environmental organizations—these Side Events at WEEC2024 form a vibrant platform that illuminates the collaborative endeavors of diverse global organizations in the field of environmental education. The lineup of speakers, including students, spans across different regions and represents academia, intergovernmental bodies, governments, national and international institutions, and schools. This convergence serves the purpose of showcasing and celebrating the multifaceted initiatives undertaken to promote environmental education and awareness on a global scale.


Educational Field Trips
Integrating theory with hands-on experiences, the educational field trips during WEEC2024 offer an exciting opportunity to explore the diverse landscapes and environmental education landmarks in and around Abu Dhabi. Participants can tailor their experience by selecting from a variety of morning, afternoon, or full-day activities to actively engage in environmental education. Options include visits to breathtaking sights such as the Jubail Mangrove Park or Samaliya Island, or delving into the country’s efforts to preserve local flora and fauna at places like the Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue Centre. Each field trip promises to be a thrilling and informative experience, contributing to the overall impact of WEEC2024 and ensuring it becomes an unforgettable educational journey for all participants.

Integrating artificial intelligence in global environmental education: insights from COP28 and prospects at WEEC12

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The recent COP28 held in Dubai has raised concerns within the environmental education community due to the absence of the term “education” in the discussions and strategies outlined. It is crucial that the concept of education be meaningfully integrated into global climate strategies, and the opportunity to do so presents itself tangibly at the 12th World Congress on Environmental Education (WEEC12) to be held in Abu Dhabi.

In particular, special attention is sought for the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the field of environmental education. The transformative potential of this technology in enhancing the effectiveness of global climate education is clearly evident. Events related to COP28 have preluded this discourse, highlighting the fundamental and innovative role of AI in making sustainability approaches accessible and engaging.

The debates arising from events connected to COP28 clearly demonstrate that AI can play a crucial role in making environmental knowledge more widespread and engaging. Collaboration between environmental education experts and technology developers can contribute to the development of innovative educational tools and resources that fully leverage the potential of AI.

WEEC12 represents a unique opportunity to place the central role of environmental education on the agenda, with a specific emphasis on the integration of Artificial Intelligence. Addressing this issue proactively and collaboratively could shape a more sustainable future, where environmental knowledge becomes a driving force in the global fight against climate change.

Join our network and become part of the conversation on COP28! Send your contributions to secretariat@weecnetwork.org and help shape the environmental dialogue.

COP28 reminds us all of the urgency to attend WEEC12 in Abu Dhabi!

by Dr. Costis Toregas, The George Washington University

Left – right: Gerry Cunningham (EAGLES 2030) , Pat Cummens (Esri), Sean Breyer (Esri), Lee Mallon (Humanity), Erwin Rose (US State Dept), Valerie Hawley (Sorbonne Univ.)

The text that emerged from the lengthy discussions during COP28 just concluded in Dubai was hotly debated, and engaged the participants in difficult discussions of what language to include and which to exclude… and for some in the Environmental Education (EE) community, it rang a warning bell!  A quick key word search revealed that the word “Education” did not appear even once!  Of course no one will argue that education should be part of any global solution to climate change and the challenges of sustainability.  However, the modalities and strategies that will bring education as a supporting platform to the vital COP28 action verbs of Finance, Capacity Building and Technology Transfer must be rapidly deployed, discussed and agreed upon by relevant stakeholders.

And what a better place to do so than at WEEC12 in Abu Dhabi on January 29 through February 2, 2024!

To align the education agenda to the Technology Transfer actions, we can focus on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Environmental Education (EE), catalysing climate action  and contributing to environmental education.  In recent years the role of artificial intelligence (AI) has gained significant attention across the environmental and academic community.  The world is facing the triple planetary crisis – climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution – and technology and innovation has a key role to play in addressing these challenges.  There is an urgent need for innovative solutions to educate and engage the public in sustainable practices. This pathway will be amply demonstrated at WEEC12, with three sessions dedicated to the role of AI in enhancing the effectiveness of environmental education irrespective of geographic location, language barriers or technical infrastructural constraints.

To foreshadow these panels and underline the importance of EE, there were events at COP28 that addressed AI’s role in promoting new ways and tools for educators.

“AI is emerging as a powerful tool for how we learn about and interact with the environment, particularly through repackaging information and enhancing personalized learning experiences” said AI expert Lee Mallon, CTO of Humanity, Abu Dhabi at a COP28 side event on AI (see photo).  “Artificial Intelligence possesses the remarkable capability to transform extensive, 100-page reports on positive climate action into finely detailed narratives. This approach ensures that every individual across the globe can grasp the necessary steps for climate action. It tailors the information to align with the media channels that resonate most effectively with each person, enhancing their understanding and engagement in impactful environmental action”.

Other participants in the side event included US representative Erwin Rose who laid out a clear path for AI’s introduction as a powerful tool to support sustainability through the Climate Technology Centre and Network, eSRI representatives detailing location-based AI advances and EAGLES2030 chair Gerry Cunningham who offered practical strategies for implementation through collaboration.