The 12th World Environmental Education Congress (WEEC2024) is set to be held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from January 29th to February 2nd, 2024. There, global leaders and experts will come together to tackle the Triple Planetary Crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.
Hosting various influential speakers, including educators, NGOs and academia, the event is designed to foster discussions and learning opportunities.
Experts will convene to review best practices, share experiences, and discuss research on environmental education methods and outcomes.
The event is also in alignment with the UAE’s Green Education Partnership Roadmap, a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing sustainability education in the region and beyond.
WEEC 2024 will feature plenary sessions where global leaders and experts, including HE Dr Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak Al Shamsi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, HE Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, President at IUCN, Prof. Mario Salomone, Secretary-General at WEEC Secretariat, Jack Dangermond, President at the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), US, and Elizabeth Wathuti, Kenyan Youth Activist, Founder & Executive Director, Green Generation Initiative will deliver insights.
The following days will drive discussions on championing Environmental Education (EE) and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), smart technologies, ethics, aesthetics, values, cultural diversity, and collaboration.
“Empowering students with green skills is pivotal for our transition to a sustainable future. The responsiveness of all levels of the education sector to this shift will shape what our schools teach, aligning with a changing global reality of the triple planetary crisis”, said Ahmed Baharoon, Executive Director, Environmental Information, Science and Outreach Management, Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.
Adding: “At WEEC2024, we champion the imperative of enhancing Environmental Education and Education for Sustainable Development, fostering connections among people worldwide, and underscoring the urgency for leaders to enact systemic changes. Through its ceremonies and plenaries, this congress aims to synchronise efforts, sharing insights to bolster awareness of our collective contribution towards a better future.”
Dedicated to empowering the next generation of environmental leaders, the Youth Environmental Education Congress (YEEC) will run in parallel.
The speaker lineup includes Leah Namugerwa, Youth Climate Activist in Uganda, Sneha Shahi, Conservationist and the UNEP, Sara Constantino Dereix, Sustainability and Regeneration Content Creator, John Carl T. Alonsagay, Social Science Researcher and Co-founder of the ClimatEducate Project, Malak Abdulla – UAE Climate Youth Delegate, along with more national and international speakers relevant to Environmental Education.
YEEC will offer workshops, interactive sessions, and panel discussions and celebrate the collaborative efforts of universities coming together in response to these urgent environmental challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.
The last day of the Congress will feature a choice of five field trips, inviting delegates to explore Abu Dhabi’s ecological and educational sites.
Part of the excursion includes Eastern Mangrove Park, and more.
To diversify the power generation sources during the event, WEEC2024 has partnered with Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC).
Additionally, the Congress has collaborated with expert consultants to oversee delegates’ carbon footprints – including travel and accommodation – where data collected will be used to calculate the necessary number of mangroves needed to offset.