RewirEd Summit / 2023 / Summit
The RewirEd Summit 2023 Programme
Time
Session
9:00 – 9:45
Registration
9:45 – 10:55
Opening
11:00 – 11:45
The Green Rising: Powering Youth Action & Solutions for Climate
UNICEF, Generation Unlimited’s Green Rising is supporting millions of young people around the world to take action to protect their communities from the climate crisis via volunteering, green skilling, entrepreneurship & jobs, and advocacy. This session will showcase a million+ stories of diverse youth and girls as champions for the planet and demonstrate ways in which Public-Private-Youth partnerships can support these youth-powered actions.
Moderator:
Nour Elnabawy
Actor & UNICEF Shabab Balad Ambassador
Speakers:
Hon. Ababu Namwamba
Cabinet Secretary
Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports
Kenya
Hon. Shri Bhupender Yadav
Minister of Labour & Employment
Environment - Forest & Climate Change
India
Amal Ridene
YPAT Member & Youth Negotiator
Generation Unlimited
Ahmed Alhendawi
Secretary-General
Chief Executive Officer
World Organization of the Scout Movement
Shobha Meera
Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer
CapGemini
Alexandra van der Ploeg
Head of Corporate Social Responsibility
SAP
Closing Remarks:
Kitty van der Heijden
Deputy Executive Director
Partnerships
UNICEF
Hall: Auditorium
Unlocking Innovative Financing for Climate-Resilient Education in Emergencies
This session aims to highlight the potential impact, scalability, and sustainability of innovative financing in supporting Climate Resilient Education in Emergencies. Through dynamic panel discussions, we will explore and showcase innovative financing models, mechanisms, and initiatives that have successfully supported climate change and education.
Moderator:
Yasmine Sherif
Executive Director
Education Cannot Wait
Speakers:
Hon. Awut Deng Achuil
Minister of General Education & Instruction
South Sudan
Ole Thonke
Undersecretary for Development Policy
Government of Denmark
Amy Clarke
Chief Impact Officer
Tribe Impact Capital
Aya Mohamad El Hawarneh
Youth Advocate & Project Coordinator
ANERA
Hall: Hall 1
Teachers for the Planet: Leadership for Climate Action in & through Education
This session will discuss the relevance of, and insights from, teacher-led climate education solutions for driving and informing national climate education reform, and how to build more collective leadership for climate action in schools. The session concludes by announcing the new ‘’Policy-Practice Translational Mechanism” at the country level and the roadmap for implementing this mechanism.
Moderator:
Lennart Kuntze
Global Head of Climate Education & Leadership
Teach For All
Speakers:
Hon. Prof. Adolf Mkenda
Minister of Education
The United Republic of Tanzania
H.E. João Marques da Costa
Minister of Education
Portugal
Wendy Kopp
Chief Executive Officer & Co-founder of
Teach For All
Esther Gacigi
Teacher (Primary School)
Teach For Kenya
Nikhil Sharma
Founder of Elementree Foundation
India
Nick McKinlay
Director
Global Programmes
Aga Khan Foundation
Ryan Bestre
Teach for the Philippines Alumnus
Climate Change Officer
Asian Development Bank
Hall: Hall 4
The Role of Education in Building a Climate-Resilient Development in the 21st Century
Moderator:
Adriana Valenzuela
Education & Youth Leadership Program Lead
Global Center on Adaptation
Speakers:
H.E. Rachel Ruto
First Lady of Kenya
Prof. Dr. Patrick Verkooijen
Chief Executive Officer
Global Center on Adaptation
H.E. Dr. Tariq Al Gurg
Chief Executive Officer
Dubai Cares
Maja Groff
Convener
Climate Goveranance Commisssion
Tan Sri Zakri Abdul Hamid
Chairman of Atri Advisory
Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia ISC Fellow
Jeannette Larue
Director General Public Education & Community Outreach Division Ministry of Agriculture
Climate Change & Environment
Hall: Hall 2
Metrics that Matter: Utilizing Data for Effective Climate Education
This session is dedicated to exploring how data can be harnessed to enhance the effectiveness and impact of climate education programs. In an age where climate change is a critical global issue, educating the public, particularly younger generations, about its implications is vital. However, the challenge lies not just in delivering this education but in ensuring that it is impactful, relevant, and leads to tangible outcomes in terms of increased awareness, changed behaviors, and policy advocacy.
Moderator:
Abdul Matheen Yusuf
Chief Executive Officer
Project You
Speakers:
Dr. Randa Grob-Zakhary
Chief Executive Officer
Education.org
Sallyann Della Casa
Chief Executive Officer & Chief Identity Hacker
GLEAC
Martin Benavides
Executive Director
UNESCO IIEP
David Hollow
Director
Jigsaw Education
Kamran Robert Kardan
Founder & CEO
Knowledge E & Zendy
Hall: Hall 3
12:00 – 12:45
Growing Green Champions: Building the Foundations of Climate Action by Investing in Children
Children are exceptionally vulnerable to climate change. Early development is strongly shaped by children's experiences and the environments they grow up in. The impact of climate change compromises these environments, resulting in long-term consequences to children's physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional development and the development of their communities. Embedding opportunities for climate action to protect children from climate impacts, along with measures to foster environmental awareness and climate literacy through platforms that promote early childhood development and foundational learning not only improve early development, literacy, numeracy and social-emotional skills, but also provide the solid foundation necessary for building the green skills of the young people who will power the green transition.
Moderator:
Elizabeth Lule
Executive Director
ECDAN
Keynotes:
Kitty van der Heijden
Deputy Executive Director
Partnerships
UNICEF
H.E. Dr. Tariq Al Gurg
Chief Executive Officer
Dubai Cares
Speakers:
Hon. Madalitso Wirima Kambauwa
Minister of Education
Republic of Malawi
H.E. Mr. Edil Baisalov
Gillian Caldwell
Chief Climate Officer & Deputy Assistant Administrator
USAID
Rebecca Chandler Leege
Chief Executive Officer
Worldreader
Francisco Vera
Youth Advocate
UNICEF
Hall: Auditorium
Green Jobs: Paving the Way to a Sustainable Future
The session aims to explore the pivotal role that green jobs play in fostering both environmental preservation and economic growth. By convening a diverse group of thought leaders, policymakers, and experts from around the world, this session will delve into the intersection of environmental stewardship and employment generation.
Moderator:
Monika Froehler
Chief Executive Officer
Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens
Keynotes:
Ban Ki-moon
Co-chair of the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens
8th Secretary General of the United Nations
Irina Bokova
Former Director-General
UNESCO
Speakers:
Sharon Armstrong
Director General
Global Affairs Canada
Kathleen Sherwin
Chief of Strategy & Engagement Officer
Plan International
Lateefa Alnoaimi
Sustainable & Renewable Energy Engineer
YOUNGO's Green Jobs Working Group
Closing Remarks:
H.E. Dr. Tariq Al Gurg
Chief Executive Officer
Dubai Cares
Hall: Hall 1
Connecting the Dots: Youth-led Initiatives in Rewiring Education for Climate Action
The session will discuss a report drafted for policy makers which summarizes the key lessons from the webinars and the workshops. The report titled- Fostering Youth-led Innovations to Accelerate Progress on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, will be released at the RewirEd Summit 2023 at COP28 alongside a panel discussion on the report will take place.
Moderator:
Bishop Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo
Pontifical Academy of the Social Sciences
The Vatican
Keynote:
Prof. Jeffrey Sachs
Director
Center for Sustainable Development
Columbia University
Speakers:
H.E. Jurrian Middle Hoff
Ambassador of Youth
Education & Skills
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Netherlands
Rev. Canon. Dr. Betsee Parker
Baroness of Locheil
Scotland
Dr. Wen-Wen Tung
Associate Professor & Director of Geodata Science for Professionals MS Program
Purdue University
Maryam Rabiee
Head of SDGs Today at UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UNSDSN)
Vidya Bindal
10th grade Millburn High School
New Jersey (Youth Environmental Leader)
Eshaan Gangwal
11th Grade High-School Student
Hall: Hall 3
Innovative Education Models for Green Skilling in Emergency Contexts
The session's focus on "Innovative Education Models for Green Skilling in Emergency Contexts" is timely and vital, especially within the unique climate change challenges faced by the Middle East. This high-level discussion will spotlight the pivotal role of education and youth in mitigating climate change and provide practical models for addressing emergencies globally, catalyzing positive change for both the environment and communities in need.
Moderator:
Derek Madsen
Chief Development Officer
ANERA
Keynote:
Sean Carrol
President & Chief Executive Officer
ANERA
Speakers:
Julia Dicum
Director of Education
UNRWA
Susan Nicolai
Global Education Director
Save the Children
Mageed Yahia
Country Director UAE & Representative to GCC
UN World Food Programme
Aya Mohamad El Hawarneh
Youth Advocate & Project Coordinator
ANERA
Ayeda Mohamed Ghonim
Youth Advocate
Egypt
Qamar Samir Karameh
Youth Advocate
Lebanon
Dana Mahmoud Ali Musaffar
Speaker at the Innovative Education Models for Green Skilling in Emergency Contexts (Dec 8)
Dubai Cares & Anera
Hall: Hall 2
Moving from Ideas to Action: Localized Levers to Support Youth Education and Employment in the Green Economy
The climate crisis is creating a massive transformation of the global economy that will revolutionize the future of work. Education and training systems have the power to equip young people with the knowledge and skills to fully engage in shaping an equitable transition to the emerging green and blue economies. This session will draw from our high-level panelists' experience to provide insights and solutions related to each specific gap. Together, they will offer a comprehensive roadmap of innovative solutions aimed at facilitating a just transition toward a green workforce.
Moderator:
Dr. Liesbet Steer
President & Chief Executive Officer
Education Development Centre
Speakers:
H.E. Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya
Minister of Environment
The Republic of Rwanda
Jennifer Morris
Chief Executive Officer
The Nature Conservancy
Dr. Hanan Morsy
Deputy Executive Secretary & Chief Economist
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)
Dr. Nada Berrada
African Union Youth & Education Champion
Education Development Center
RegenIntel Fellow
Hamoon Ekhtiari
Chief Executive Officer
FutureFit AI
Hall: Hall 4
12:45 – 13:15
Lunch Break
13:15 – 14:00
Transforming Climate Education for Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Guided by data-driven insights and fortified by successful expansions of improving access to education and fostering diversity and inclusion for vulnerable communities, this session explores leveraging nurturing culturally sensitive environments — a path toward an inclusive future where all voices are amplified and every community thrives.
Moderator:
Armand Arton
Chief Global Citizen & Founder
Arton Capital
Speakers:
Hon. Philip J. Pierre
Prime Minister of Saint Lucia
Joice Mendez
UNSG Youth Climate Change Advisor & Co-founder
Latin American Observatory of Geopolitics of Energy
Yusra Mardini
Goodwill Ambassador
UNHCR
Sister Zeph
Global Teacher Prize 2023 Winner
Hall: Auditorium
Placing Gender Equality and Youth at The Heart of Education Transformation for Climate
This session will spotlight the links between climate change, girls’ education, and gender equality. Taking the format of an intergenerational accountability roundtable, the session will feature girls’ and young women’s experiences and leadership in the promotion of gender transformative climate change education and give girls and young women the opportunity to present a set of demands and recommendations to government and multilateral agencies.
Moderator:
Kathleen Sherwin
Chief of Strategy & Engagement Officer
Plan International
Speakers:
Hon. Madalitso Wirima Kambauwa
Minister of Education
Republic of Malawi
Dr. Heike Kuhn
Head of Division
Education
Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation & Development of Germany
Yasmine Sherif
Executive Director
Education Cannot Wait
Salha Aziz
Youth Leader
GPE
Tanzania
Nelly Beatriz Yaguachi Caiz
Indigenous Youth Leader
Ecuador
Renata Koch Alvarenga
Founder & Director
EmpoderaClima
Brazil
Hall: Hall 4
Funding the Future: Financing Models for Climate-Smart Education
The session delves into this crucial aspect of educational transformation. Traditional funding models in education often fall short when it comes to addressing the unique requirements of climate-focused learning, such as specialized materials, teacher training, and infrastructural modifications for sustainability, as well as addressing the need for planet-friendly school meals and home-grown school feeding as a sustainable solution. Moreover, the economic strain caused by global environmental changes and the COVID-19 pandemic has further tightened the budgets of educational institutions, making the search for alternative funding sources more critical than ever.
Moderator:
Zahara Malik
Founder
Impact Gate
Speakers:
H.E. Cheikh Oumar Anne
Minister of National Education
Senegal
H.E. Dr. Tariq Al Gurg
Chief Executive Officer
Dubai Cares
Dr. Rachael Barza
Lead
Climate Adaptation & Nature Finance
European Bank for Reconstruction & Development
H.E. Dr. Amel Karboul
Chief Executive Officer
Education Outcomes Fund
Richard Hawkes
Chief Executive Officer
British Asian Trust
Véronique Faujour
Managing Director
Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation
Pierre Lucas
Country Director Senegal
UN World Food Programme
Hall: Hall 4
Accelerating Climate Action: The Transformative Power of Rewired Education
The session will highlight how well-informed policymakers can develop effective climate change policies that consider scientific, social, and economic factors. Bringing education into these policy discussions is one of them. The session will also highlight the importance of a holistic approach to climate change education fostered by collaboration between policy makers and education actors to bridge the gap between theory, policies and practical implementation in schools and classes.
Moderator:
Anna Murru
Strategic Partnership Advisor
VVOB - Education for Development
Speakers:
Hon. Eng. Collins Nzovu
Minister of Green Economy
Republic of Zambia
Koen Timmers
Director
Take Action Global
Peace Monica Pimer
Founder & Executive Director
Nile Girls Forum
Uganda
H.E. Conrad Sackey
Minister of Basic & Senior Secondary Education for Sierra Leone
Hall: Hall 2
What Works to Build More Inclusive and Climate-Resilient National Systems?
This session is set to present evidence on how to bridge policy and system gaps, foster dialogue and ensure effective cross-sectoral collaboration between climate change, education and disability actors. It will also showcase solutions for forming new and effective partnerships across sectors at national level, between governments, UN entities, organizations of persons with disabilities, climate movements and wider civil society. In addition, the session highlights the importance of embedding disability-inclusion into UNFCCC processes, including Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs).
Moderator:
Dr. Ola Abualghaib
Manager
United Nations Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD)
Keynote:
Dr. Heike Kuhn
Head of Division
Education
Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation & Development of Germany
Speakers:
Kerstin Stendahl
Special Envoy for Climate Change & the Environment
Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland
Gabriela Ramos
Assistant Director-General for the Social & Human Sciences
UNESCO
Tala Al Ramahi
Director
Reaching The Last Mile
Rwodah Al Naimi
Director of Strategic Partnerships
Qatar Fund for Development
Stefan Tromel
Senior Disability Specialist
International Labour Organization
Hall: Hall 3
14:15 – 15:00
Launch of the BRACE Initiative: Financing Climate Resilient School Systems
Moderator:
Nick Ireland
Climate Change Director
Save the Children
Speakers:
Hon. Awut Deng Achuil
Minister of General Education & Instruction
South Sudan
Hon. Eang Sophalleth
Minister of Environment
Cambodia
Hon. Didacus Jules
Director General
Organization of Eastern Caribbean States
Charles North
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
GPE
Hong-Thuy Paterson
Chief Financial Officer & Chief Operating Officer
Green Climate Fund
Salha Aziz
Youth Leader
GPE
Tanzania
Hall: Auditorium
Roots of Resilience: The ECD Imperative in a Climate-changing World.
In an era where children, the least contributors to climate change, disproportionately bear its brunt, ensuring robust Early Childhood Development (ECD) in even the most adverse conditions is not just necessary; it is imperative. This session delves into the realm of ECD within the context of Education in Emergencies, a critical aspect of our times. It will showcase programs and commitments that don't just adapt to the challenges but actively nurture the potential guardians of a greener, more resilient tomorrow.
Moderator:
Dr. Ghassan Issa
Director
Arab Network for Early Childhood Development
Speakers:
H.E. Dubravka Šuica
Vice President
European Commission
Dr. Erum Mariam
Executive Director
BRAC Institute of Educational Development
Sulieman Mleahat
Education Program Director
ANERA
Emma Gremley
Senior Director of Education
International Rescue Committee
Dr. Kim Foulds
Vice President of Content Research & Evaluation
Sesame Workshop
Liana Ghent
Executive Director
International Step by Step Association
Hall: Hall 1
ClimateEd: Education for Climate Action
Moderator:
Dr. Luis Benveniste
Global Director for Education
World Bank
Speakers:
H.E. Conrad Sackey
Minister of Basic & Senior Secondary Education for Sierra Leone
Robert Jenkins
Director of Education & Adolescent Development
UNICEF
Temilade Salami
Youth Climate Activist
María Soledad Bos
Education Lead Specialist
Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)
Dr. Luis Benveniste
Global Director for Education
World Bank
Hall: Hall 4
Partnerships for Responsible Education
This session brings together various multisectoral decision-makers who can influence the learning experiences of youth and ensure they are ingrained with a sense of responsibility towards the people and the planet. The session also aims to empower youth with future skills including digital and green competencies, ensuring they have the opportunity to share their ambitions and positive experiences and expectations of a resilient and purposeful educational system. artnerships for Responsible Education
Co-Moderators:
Ahmed Alhendawi
Secretary-General
Chief Executive Officer
World Organization of the Scout Movement
Wissam Kadi
Vice President
Global Initiatives
SAP
Speakers:
H.H. Princess Sama Bint Faisal Al Saud
Board Member
World Scout Foundation
H.E. João Marques da Costa
Minister of Education
Portugal
Dr. Karina Edmonds
Senior Vice President
SAP
Dr. Eesa Bastaki
President
University of Dubai
Kuljit S. Ghata-Aura
President Middle East
Türkiye & Africa
Boeing
Sara El Dallal
Country Director
Amideast UA
Hall: Hall 2
Education as a Catalyst for People and Planet: Rewiring Our Common Agenda
This session will support a movement to ensure that education is central to climate action, enhance linkages with other sectors and highlight the need for deep and substantive cross-sectoral collaboration within and outside of education to create a more sustainable, prosperous, and equitable world. The event will also bring the voices of youth to the forefront and their demands for climate action and climate justice in and through education.
Co-Moderators:
Kehkashan Basu
Founder-President
Green Hope Foundation
Priya Joshi
Senior Project Officer (Research)
Global Education Monitoring Report
Speakers:
Stefania Giannini
Assistant Director-General for Education
UNESCO
Prof. Jeffrey Sachs
Director
Center for Sustainable Development
Columbia University
Kathleen Rogers
President
Earthday.org
Hall: Hall 3
15:15 – 16:00
Scalable Solutions for Global Problems: Lessons from the Private Sector to Accelerate Climate Gains
Moderator:
Jerome de Bontin
Partner
Capricorn Investment Group
Speakers:
H.E. Khaled Al Huraimel
Group Chief Executive Officer
BEEAH Group
Dipender Saluja
Partner
Capricorn Investment Group
Hande Sadic
Chief Product Officer
The Giving Movement
Jacob Harr
Chief Executive Officer & Founder
Community Investment Management (CIM)
Michel Peretie
Former Chairman of Bear Stears
Former Head of Investment Bank of Soc Gen
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Riverrock
Hall: Auditorium
Transitioning Skills: Education for a Sustainable Energy Future
This session will explore priority actions for building the skills required for the energy transition as well as how cooperative efforts can accelerate action in areas such as skills roadmaps; curriculum development; empowering educators and policy implementation.
Moderator:
Samah Elsayed
Programme Officer of Renewable Energy Education
IRENA
Speakers:
Gauri Singh
Deputy Director-General
IRENA
Bruce Douglas
Chief Executive Officer
Global Renewables Alliance
Nicole Iseppi
Director of Energy Innovation
Bezos Earth Fund
Izael Da Silva
Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Research & Innovation
Strathmore University
Chairholder
UNESCO Chair on Climate Change Resilience & Sustainability
Prof. John Thwaites
Chair
Monash Sustainable Development Institute
Hall: Hall 4
Towards Climate Smart Education Systems
The event will highlight concrete examples of how countries can mainstream climate change adaptation and environmental sustainability into education sector plans, budgets and strategies and share specific country experiences and learnings that can be taken forward. The panel will feature diverse voices, including government representatives, youth leaders, civil society organizations and policy makers to generate momentum for action around the climate change and education nexus.
Moderator:
Salha Aziz
Youth Leader
GPE
Tanzania
Speakers:
Hon. Madalitso Wirima Kambauwa
Minister of Education
Republic of Malawi
Hon. Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndhlovu
Minister of Environment
Water & Climate
Republic of Zimbabwe
Susan Nicolai
Global Education Director
Save the Children
Sarah Beardmore
Climate Initiatives Lead
GPE
Jun Morohashi
Chief of Section of Education for Sustainable Development
UNESCO
Hall: Hall 1
Driving Systemic Climate Change: The Role of Ministries of Education in Latin America
Speakers:
Agustin Porres
Regional Director
Varkey Foundation
Alberto de Cárdenas
Chief Executive Officer
PeruChamps
Rifat Arif
Global Teacher Prize 2023 Winner
Varkey Foundation
Francisco Anello
Global Senior Vice President of Education
Aleph Holding
Hall: Hall 2
Youth Raising Ambition for Climate Education
This session is a key moment in the wider journey of youth taking action for climate education by engaging with their governments on the Mock EMS outcomes, ensuring legacy through national government policy. Through the Mock EMS young people took part in an online summit, preceded and followed by capacity building workshops and have been supported to meet and collaborate with education ministers in their own countries. This high-level dialogue will showcase the work of young people on this journey and ensure more ministers raise ambition for quality climate education and have the opportunity to collaborate with young people to integrate climate into education.
Moderator:
Shreya KC
Campaign Coordinator for Asia
Mock Education Ministers Summit & YOUNGO Representative
Speakers:
Baroness Barran
Parliamentary Undersecretary of State at the Department for Education
United Kingdom
Will Wale
Youth Focal Point for Sustainability & Climate Change for the Department for Education
United Kingdom
Ana Romero
Educator & Senior Advisor for UN’s Capacity-Building & for Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico
Darien Castro
Mock Education Ministers Summit Delegate for Ecuador
Mock COP
Yasmine Sherif
Executive Director
Education Cannot Wait
Hall: Hall 3
16:15 – 17:00
African Union Year of Education, 2024: Catalyzing Skills Potential for a Green Economy in Africa
The session discusses prioritizing the integration of education and skills development in the climate agenda, emphasizing their pivotal role in facilitating the transition of African Member States towards resilient, green economies. It advocates for increased investments in education and the development of green skills, highlighting their potential to catalyze the emergence of green jobs and industries, consequently fostering sustainable economic growth.
Moderator:
Erna Grasz
Chief Executive Officer
Asante Africa
Speakers:
Hon. Pohamba Penomwenyo Shifeta
Minister of Environment
Republic of Namibia
Hon. Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndhlovu
Minister of Environment
Water & Climate
Republic of Zimbabwe
H.E. Prof. Mohammed Belhocine
Commissioner for Education
Science
Technology & Innovation
African Union Commission
Jesper Wohlert
Director
HUMANA People to People
Hall: Auditorium
Building Resilience for Education in the Face of Climate Change Utilizing Technology.
In this session, global leaders, education ministers, and innovators will converge to explore the transformative power of education in the face of climate change. This event will spotlight how technology can be used to build resilience in education, so that learning continues during crises. Featuring insights from Ministries of Education, GPE, Microsoft and UNICEF we will illuminate how we are leveraging emerging technology, public-private strategic partnerships, data and insights to build resilience in education and bring learning and skilling opportunities to children and young people.
Moderator:
Anna-Maria Tammi
Global Partnership for Education
Senior Education Specialist & Thematic Lead for Education
in Crisis & Conflict Context
Speakers:
Hon. Madalitso Wirima Kambauwa
Minister of Education
Republic of Malawi
Majid Akl
Primary & Secondary Education Sector Lead
Microsoft MEA
Robert Jenkins
Director of Education & Adolescent Development
UNICEF
Valentine Chepkoech
Youth Leader
GPE
Hall: Hall 2
School Meals and Food Systems: Rethinking the Consequences for Climate, Environment, Biodiversity and Food Sovereignty
Policy changes to school meals programmes can immediately strengthen the community response to environment and climate and, through the power of procurement, help change agricultural practices in the longer term. A new White Paper produced by the Research Consortium for School Health and Nutrition shows that school meals offer this unique opportunity because of their reach and scale: in many countries school meals represent more than 70% of all publicly managed food systems.
Moderator:
Prof. Donald Bundy
Director
Research Consortium for School Health & Nutrition
Speakers:
H.E. Gaspard Twagirayezu
Minister of Primary & Secondary Education
Rwanda
Carmen Burbano
Director
School-Based Programmes
UN World Food Programme
Dr. Silvia Pastorino
Research Fellow
Sustainability
Nutrition & Health
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
H.E. Conrad Sackey
Minister of Basic & Senior Secondary Education for Sierra Leone
Hall: Hall 4
Empowering Refugee Education for Climate Resilience
This session will put forward a set of recommendations on how education can support refugees in mitigating and adapting the impacts of climate change for refugees, which will be refined during consultations in 2024, and will inform the programme pledge announced by UNHCR in connected higher education at RewirEd.
Moderator:
Rebecca Granato
Associate Vice President for Global Initiatives
Bard College & Open Society University Networks
Speakers:
Raakhi Williams
Chief of Strategy
Planning & Accountability
Education Cannot Wait
Deline Ramiro Yihumutima
Refugee participant in partnership with the UN refugee Agency (UNHCR)
Rana Al Turk
Business Development & Growth Director
Luminus life +
Hall: Hall 4
Youth Igniting Action: Cross-Industry Solutions for Climate & Nature
The session showcases findings and solutions by our Youth Insiders bridging the intersection of climate change and biodiversity with industry leaders and global experts. ‘Youth Insiders’ is an initiative within the Emirates Nature - WWF that convenes young professionals, ages 25-35, who excel in their respective fields (e.g. - Finance, FMCG, Architecture, Fashion, Energy, Transport, Retail, Waste, and Agriculture/Food) and provides them with leadership development and mentorship to identify systemic solutions addressing planetary challenges across industries and borders.
Moderator:
Dana Hasan AlHosani
Assistant Director
Strategy & Partner Relations
NYU Abu Dhabi
Speakers:
H.E. Ahmed Abdulmuttaleb Baharoon
Executive Director of Environment Information
Science & Outreach Management
Enviroment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD)
Ayla Bajwa
Senior Vice President Sustainability
DP World
Laila Abdullatif
Director-General
Emirates Nature World Wide Fund for Nature (EN-WWF)
Jennifer Chammas
Regional Head of Sustainability & Sustainable Finance
CMB MENAT
HSBC
Rohan Gupta
Group Manager
Sustainability Intelligence
DP World
Hall: Hall 3
17:15 – 18:00
Cultivating Wellness: School Health and Nutrition for a Sustainable Future
The session titled Cultivating Wellness: School Health and Nutrition for a Sustainable Future addresses the critical role that health and nutrition play in the educational and overall development of students. In the context of growing concerns about childhood obesity, malnutrition, and mental health issues, this session focuses on the need for integrated health and nutrition programs in schools.
Moderator:
Dr. Shariha Khalid
Founding Partner
Mission & Co.
Speakers:
Caitlin Baron
Chief Executive Officer
Luminos Fund
Jim Emerson
Chief Executive Officer
The Power of Nutrition
Ndellejong Cosmas Ejong
Global Technical Lead for Schistosomiasis & Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis
Sightsavers
Prof. Donald Bundy
Director
Research Consortium for School Health & Nutrition
Hall: Auditorium
Synergizing Sustainability: The Transformative Power of Integrating Climate Education with Life Skills
Moderator:
Nicholas Kee
JA Company Program Alumni
Entrepreneur
Founder of KeeFarms
Speakers:
Dr. Kevin Frey
Chief Executive Officer
Generation Unlimited
Akef Aqrabawi
Chief Executive Officer
INJAZ Al Arab
Don Sedlock
Director
Global Development
JA Worldwide
Taha Bawa
Co-Founder
Goodwall
Love Dager
JA Alumni
Hackathon Manager
Hack for Earth
Gillian Hinde
Global Corporate Responsibility Leader
Ernst & Young (EY)
Omar Khan
Head of Centre for Business Studies & Research
Dubai Chamber
Gilles Vermot-Desroches
SVP Corporate Citizenship & Institutions
Schneider Electric
Hall: Hall 1
From Activism to Action: Closing the Skills Gap
This session will lead an insightful discussion on barriers that prevent access to skills development within the formal education framework and how to overcome these barriers by transforming skills development through ‘leave no one behind’ non-formal education pathways that are accessible and available to all. The session will also underscore the need to impart young people with green skills and empower them to drive meaningful change.
Speakers:
Nichole Cirillo
Executive Director
IAVE
Justina Nixon-Saintil
Vice President & Chief Impact Officer
IBM
Sharon Armstrong
Director General
Global Affairs Canada
Alison Bellwood
Founder & Executive Director
The World’s Largest Lesson & Project Everyone
Kumar Verma
Managing Director
Scholars International Group (SIG)
Hall: Hall 4
Future-Ready Learning: EdTech’s Role in Climate Adaptation and Mitigation
This connectivity has armed young people across the world with unprecedented tools for innovation, enabling them to enact positive changes that often ripple through their communities. Seeing the need for adaptation and mitigation, leveraging technology and connectivity to rewire our education systems has become an imperative. This session investigates the pioneering education technologies harnessing the power of connectivity for all to build a digital and future-proof generation ready to tackle tomorrow’s climate challenges.
Moderator:
Raya Bidshahri
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
School of Humanity
Speakers:
Tomas Lamanauskas
Deputy Secretary General
ITU
Dr. Fuzan AlKhalidi
Education Strategy Advisor
Digital School
Lady Mariéme Jamme
Chief Sustainability Officer & Founder
iamtheCODE
Agustin Alejandro Batto Carol
Founder & Strategy Lead
Eidos Global
Mauro Bordignon
Head of Academics & Pedagogical Innovation
H-Farm International School
Hall: Hall 2
Navigating the ESG Landscape: Synergies Between Climate Action and Educational Reform
The session focuses on this critical juncture, particularly examining the interplay between initiatives for climate action and the evolving landscape of educational reforms. At a time when the impact of climate change is becoming more pronounced, there is a growing recognition of the need to embed sustainability and environmental awareness within the educational sector.
Moderator:
Christine Özden
Global Director
Climate Education
Cambridge Partnership for Education
Speakers:
Hon. Eng. Collins Nzovu
Minister of Green Economy
Republic of Zambia
David Ramos
Acting Head of Sustainability (MENAT)
HSBC Middle East & Turkey
Begoña Águeda C. de Albornoz
Corporate Citizenship & Environment Lead
Middle East
Accenture
David Boutcher
Senior Corporate Partner
Global Business Coalition & Reed Smith LLP
Ayla Bajwa
Senior Vice President Sustainability
DP World
Hall: Hall 3