The panel discussion titled ‘How do we get sustainability to matter to youth?’ was moderated by Michael Liebreich, chief executive officer of Bloomberg New Energy Finance.
Other speakers included:
Maria Gabriela da Rocha Oliveira, country manager at First Solar, Brazil
Dr Jose Goldemberg, professor at Physicist Institute of Electrotechnics and Energy and 2013 Zayed Future Energy Prize Lifetime Achievement winner
Dr Behjat Al Yousuf, dean of student life, office of the provost, Masdar Institute of Science and Technology.
The panel also featured Amena Al Hosani, a third year student majoring in International Studies at the Zayed University in Abu Dhabi, who shared perspective and learnings from a student-led panel on the same topic, held on 20 January.
The objective of the panel was to have an open discussion and better understanding on different means to engage, educate, motivate, challenge and empower youth to think and act sustainably. More than 2000 students from schools across the UAE attended WFES this year.
The US$4 million Zayed Future Energy Prize, established by the United Arab Emirates government in 2008, recognizes companies, organizations, schools and individuals across the world that have made significant contributions to the future of renewable energy and sustainability. The Global High Schools category is currently in its second year and was launched to recognize and encourage young people to incorporate renewable energy and sustainability into the daily operations of their schools. Five schools from five regions around the world are each awarded US$100,000 for their proposed sustainability projects.