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Cop29 Simulation
Capacity Building Programme: Week One
ĢƵƬ, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Egypt and ADA University, has commenced its highly anticipated Capacity Building Programme as an introductory segment of the COP29 Simulation Model. This three-day event is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to address climate change effectively.
Day 1: Understanding the Science of Climate Change and Empowering Youth
Kicking off the first day of the Capacity Building Programme for the COP29 Simulation were two highly interactive and informative sessions!
Dr. Marianna Poberezhskaya, Associate Professor in the Department of Social and Political Sciences at Nottingham Trent University, and Dr. Xiaozheng Zhang, Head of Learning, Teaching, and Student Experience in the Faculty of Business and Creative Industries at the University of Wales, jointly delivered a presentation on “Understanding the Science of Climate Change, its Impacts and Risks: Variations Between Global North and Global South.” They explained how humans are negatively impacting climate change, what is needed to reduce this impact, our roles as individuals, and participants practised calculating carbon footprints.
The second session was a panel discussion on “The Role of Institutions in Youth Empowerment for Climate Action” with panellists Ambassador Dr. Nada El Agizy, Director of Sustainable Development and International Cooperation, League of Arab States, Dr. Emad Adly, General Coordinator, RAED (Arab Network for Environment and Development), and Dr. Reham Youssef, Head of Policy and Partnerships, UNDP Egypt, and moderated by Dr. Hala Hattab, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and Coordinator of the Capacity Building Programme, ĢƵƬ. Panellists talked about the different platforms and institutions that youth can get involved in to not only let their voices be heard but also to take action. Participants were extremely involved in the discussions to the extent that the session ran out of time and there were still tens of questions and comments from the participants.
Day 2: The Use of Technology and Public Speaking for Climate Action
The second day of the Capacity Building Programme was extremely engaging. Participants were impressed with what they learnt during the first session from Professor James Ehrlich, Director of Compassionate Sustainability at Stanford University, on “The Use of Technology for Climate Action: Applying Machine Learning Software for Resilient and Regenerative Residential Infrastructure,” in order to address climate migration, particularly refugee crises. ReGen Villages and their VillageOS™️ operating system work to integrate clean water, renewable energy, high-yield organic food, and circular nutritional flows. These technologies address climate change adaptability and promote sustainable, self-reliant communities.
The second session, expertly delivered by Dr. Sherine ElFekei, Associate Professor of Human Resources and Faculty Staff Development Coordinator at ĢƵƬ, on “Becoming a Change Agent through Public Speaking” was not only informative, but participants had the opportunity to practise what they learnt by breaking out into groups, discussing, and preparing presentations on how they can be Change Agents by using “Ethos, Logos and Pathos.”
Day 3: Leveraging Solar Energy and Integrating Gender-Sensitive Approaches
The third day of the Capacity Building Programme was rich in information, featuring many insightful talks. Dr. Sameh Osama, Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering at ĢƵƬ, started the first session on “Empowering Tomorrow: Leveraging Solar Energy in the Battle Against Climate Change,” explaining what solar energy is, how it works, the latest developments in this field, and how it can contribute towards decreasing climate change. This was followed by an impactful presentation by Ms. Emmanuelle Pinault, Department Director of Systems Transformation Climate Champions, on “Climate Action by Non-State Actors: Driving Systems Transformations in Support of the Paris Agreement.”
In the second session, Mr. Rob Nieuwenhuis, Senior Consultant for Water and Natural Resource Management, shared his experience working for many years as a global consultant in international development projects through his topic of discussion: "Mainstreaming Climate Change in International Development Projects: Practical Experiences in the Global South."
The final session of the day was presented by Professor Fazileh Dadvar-Khani, Chief of Research and Development and Professor of Geography and Regional Planning at Urban Economy Forum, who addressed the importance of being gender sensitive in all approaches and initiatives in working with the communities, especially those related to renewable energy, through her presentation: "Toward Equitable Energy Futures: Integrating Gender-Sensitive Approaches in Renewable Energy Planning."
The Capacity Building Programme set a robust foundation for the upcoming COP29 Simulation Model, inspiring participants to take informed and impactful actions in the fight against climate change.
