Dubai schools host Scope 2022 to inspire young people to find solutions related to the UN Sustainable Development Goal
Students take part in a sustainable fashion show organized as part of Scope 2022. — Photo provided
Coinciding with the recent United Nations Climate Change Conference (Cop27), the third edition of the School Conference of Parties (Scope) exhibition was recently held at two schools in Dubai.
GEMS Legacy School and GEMS World Academy hosted the first-of-its-kind forum for student voice and action on climate change.
Scope was launched in 2020 and this year it was held both virtually and in person for around 380 students from 22 schools spread across the UAE and abroad.
Providing a collaborative space for students of all ages to learn from each other while exchanging ideas and opinions, Scope aimed to inspire young people to find solutions related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
This year’s event engaged students in many inclusive and collaborative activities, ranging from sustainable food and fashion, design and innovation to climate change research, writing and speech presentation, storytelling and more.
Hana Mohamed Suneer, GEMS Global Student Ambassador and Grade 6 student at GEMS Legacy School, said of the program, “It’s an opportunity, an impact, a tribute, a journey, a goal. A forum for exchanging problems and solutions. A platform for climate change mitigation. A chance to leave a positive impact on people and nature. For me, Scope 2022 was not just an exhibition, it was a revolution.
Andre Cherian, a 11th grade student at GEMS Winchester School in Dubai, said: “Scope 2022 was an eye-opening and astonishing event to say the least. A host of schools are taking part in the conference, tackling some of the biggest crises facing the world today. I participated in Markup, a competition in which students pitched their innovative business idea to a team of enthusiastic investors. Climate change and sustainability were the main focal points – the fundamental issues that need to be addressed in the modern age to address and ultimately sustain the lives of future generations. Scope is an opportunity for young minds to show off their creativity, innovation and passion for sustainability. I have acquired a lot of knowledge, skills and the will to learn, thanks to my incredible experience at Scope.
Sahila Yaqoob, a grade 8 student who attended the event remotely from her school, DPS Budgam in India, said, “Change your actions, otherwise nature will force you to change. Small acts, when multiplied by millions, can transform the world. Scope 2022 was a wonderful platform to showcase our talent and raise awareness of how to save Mother Earth. We were thrilled to be part of Scope 2022 and share ideas on what nations need to do to move towards a sustainable future.
Asha Alexander, Executive Director – Climate Change for GEMS Education and Principal of GEMS Legacy School, which was the first school in the world to have its entire faculty become UN-certified climate change teachers, said : “As Cop27 draws to a close, GEMS Education lifts the veil on how education and youth can help change the narrative for effective climate action. Scope and the GEMS Global Ambassadors program serve to bring together students to discuss and debate climate action These are springboards for young people to take action in response to the urgent and dramatic challenges facing the planet Initiatives such as Scope, as well as efforts to integrate climate literacy into schools, aim to bring about the personal and societal transformation needed to change the course of climate adversity.