Masdar will host the second edition of the Student Exclusive, a unique event aimed at educating, engaging and inspiring youth in the UAE, as part of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2017 next week.

Under the theme “Creating a sustainable future by empowering young minds”, the exciting and all-inclusive programme will feature presentations, discussions and performances, focused on demonstrating how sustainability can be a part of the everyday lifestyle, and presenting creative activities to inspire students’ involvement in renewable energy advancement.

Dr Ahmad Belhoul, Minister of State for Higher Education, will open the event with a keynote address, followed by talks and performances from a variety of young local talent.

Moderated by Khalid Al Ameri, a prominent UAE columnist and social media influencer, as well as Waheeda Al Hadhrami, creative talent developer at TwoFour54, this year’s event will feature the UAE’s representative on the Solar Impulse team, Hasan Al Redaini; Parkour coach Amal Murad; and pianist Mona Alhashmi.

A special session will also overview the findings of The Masdar Gen Z Global Sustainability Survey. The results, unveiled in November 2016 at the COP22 climate conference in Marrakech, Morocco, found that global youth believe climate change and the environment to be the most pressing issue facing the world in the next 10 years.

Masdar’s executive director for sustainability and brand, Dr Nawal Al-Hosany, said: “Providing a platform for young people to gain first-hand experience in sustainability is a central pillar of ADSW. The Student Exclusive was set up in light of the UAE leadership’s focus on youth engagement and empowerment to solve global challenges, such as those posed by climate change. Involving our youth at an early stage is the only way to ensure that they become masters of their own futures.”

As part of the programme, two winners of the Zayed Future Energy Prize’s Global High Schools category in January 2016, Korean Science Academy of KAIST and Cashmere High School from New Zealand, will each have two student representatives showcase their winning sustainability projects.

Fatema Al Mulla, the Student Exclusive’s project manager and marketing executive at Masdar, added: “It is now more important than ever for us to join in tackling the world’s sustainability challenges. The Student Exclusive is an extremely timely event for young people to learn more about climate action and sustainable development, see how it is relevant in our personal lives and career choices, and do our part in driving the momentum for the next decade and beyond.”

The Student Exclusive will be hosted on January 17 from 10:30 am - 12:30 pm, at the ICC Hall of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec). Youth and student delegations can RSVP by emailing engage@masdar.ae.

The inaugural edition last year included an exclusive appearance by Akon, singer and founder of Akon Lighting Africa initiative.

Social media users can join the conversation by submitting their own ideas for a more sustainable future. Using the hashtag #WorldIn2026, they can suggest advances youth should be spearheading in the next decade. - TradeArabia News Service