The ASSELLMU Early Career Forum was held on the sidelines of the 7th ASSELLMU Scientific Conference with the purpose of stimulating awareness and interest in environmental protection in the next generation. The forum also aimed to bring together early career professionals, educators, university instructors, trainers, and practitioners with expertise in environmental law and policy.
The event commenced with Opening Remarks from Elena Athwal, Founder & CEO ICELIS Global; Chair ASSELLMU ECFG, Professor Damilola S Olawuyi, SAN, UNESCO Chair of Environmental Law & Sustainable Development, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Doha, Qatar, President of ASSELLMU, Dr. Patricia Mbote, Director, Law Division, UNEP, and Dr. Aude-Solveig Epstein, Provost, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi.
The Forum’s Keynote Speaker was Professor Giancarlo Anello, Delegate of the Rector for International Relations with the Middle East, and Director of the Doctoral School for Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Parma, Italy, who brilliantly covered the importance of legal innovation in the MENA region and the vital nature of youth leadership towards climate justice.
The event also featured an Opening Inspiration – Youth, Stewardship, and the Spirit of Intergenerational Environmental delivered by His Highness Dr. Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Ali Al Nuaimi – Founder, The Green Sheikh Academy.
His Highness delivered a powerful speech on “Youth, Stewardship & the Spirit of Intergenerational Environmental Leadership,” touching upon the role of innovative education in mentoring the next generation to imbibe a commitment to environmental protection & sustainability values.
The Forum also featured the Roundtable Dialogues 1: Youth in Environmental Diplomacy, Research & Policy during the ASSELLMU Early Career Forum provided excellent insight into measures to increase youth participation in environmental decision-making and policy analysis.
Roundtable Dialogues 2: Youth Solutions for the SDGs: Legal, Policy, and Innovative Pathways featured incredible insights on the connection between youth participation in achieving sustainable development goals.
The Fireside Chat 1: AI, Big Data & the Next Era of Environmental Justice, a session that underlined ICELIS Global’s evolving collaboration with the CERTA Foundation, provided insightful recommendations on the impact of AI on long-term environmental advocacy in the MENA region.
The Conference was an immense success thanks to the incredible support of partners, Sorbonne University, the United Nations Environment Programme, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, UNESCO Chair on Environmental Law and Sustainable Development, The Diwan, and the CERTA Foundation. We look forward to participating in more conferences and events dedicated towards youth inclusion in dialogue on innovation and regional progress.