The Israeli Pavilion at Expo Dubai 2020 will be hosting a youth panel this week on the topic of “the fight against climate change”. Leaders of 25 different youth organisations from Israel and the UAE will be converging at 3pm this Wednesday, 15th December, for a series of lectures and panels on the impact of youth in global efforts to reverse climate change, and provide a more sustainable future for everyone. This will be the very first time a panel between Israel and the UAE involving youth, and specifically geared to discussing what can be done to mitigate climate change, will occur anywhere in the world and in history.
Joining the Israeli speaking lineup include notable Emiratis such as; CEO of Dubai Cares, Dr. Tariq al-Gurg and Dr. Majid al-Sarrah of Sharaka UAE, two notable organizations promoting peace and sustainability in the UAE. Dubai Cares is playing a key role in helping achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning by 2030, by supporting programs in early childhood development, access to quality primary and secondary education, technical and vocational education and training for youth as well as a particular focus on education in emergencies and protracted crises. Sharaka UAE is an NGO helping to realise the peace initiatives started by the signing of the Abraham Accords. Other Emirati professionals and youth leaders will also be sharing the stage to discuss the UAE’s drive and direction for promoting a green future.
From the Israeli side, Mr. Shlomi Castro, CEO of The Israeli Council for Youth Organisations will be headlining the event with a talk on youth being the drivers of social change. Other Israeli guest speakers include former Director-General of the Israeli Ministry of Science and Technology and Director of the Education and Community Division at KKL-JNF, Mr. Sar-Shalom Jerbi, who will be delivering a talk on innovation as a driver for significant social change as well as Dr. Eli Yaffe, VP of Magen David Adom (MDA), who will be highlighting MDA’s youth volunteers as case studies for potential youth engagement strategies regarding climate change.
Topics to be discussed range from environmental responsibility in multicultural societies, environmental education in impoverished communities, and community adoption of nature and heritage sites.
The event promises to begin a much needed conversation for the region on the process of involving the youth more in green education efforts, while also raising the general public’s awareness on what needs to be done to provide a better, greener future.
