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A UAE-based non-profit is bringing light to people in need. Founded by Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Beacon of Hope UAE provides children in impoverished countries with solar light boxes.

“This light kit is disassembled,” said Sarah Bawazir, a Beacon of Hope board member. “So the kids in war torn or impoverished areas get together in a workshop and actually make their own solar rechargeable LED lights.”

Beacon of Hope aims to not only provide children with important light sources but to also teach them about solar energy and electronics.

The organisation has already helped more than 7,000 children in nine countries. It has sent missions, to Yemen, Jordan, Iraq, Liberia, Morocco, Tanzania, Somalia, Djibouti and Puerto Rico.

Where there is life, there is hope, said Ms Bawazir. “And we want to get that message across and empower children in disadvantaged areas, build their confidence in making them want to build their communities sustainably in the future.”

Beacon of Hope UAE is committed to making an impact on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UN’s SDGs are a set of environmental and education-based targets that may help ensure a better future for the world.

The organisation provides educational material developed by youth in the UAE targeting the SDGs.

Ms Bawazir recently travelled to the United Nations General Assembly in New York where she spoke at the Solutions Summit.

The UAE initiative was also represented at the UN Social Good Summit and was chosen to be amongst 1,000 solutions presented to the UN Foundation.

hopes the international exposure will help it find new partners so it can expand and create new projects that can improve the lives of children in need.

What Works – Focus would be in UAE 2071 at Emirates Aviation University, Dubai on 7th, May 2018

Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Storytelling & Beacon of Hope kit assembly on 25th of April 2018 at Kings School Dubai.

This year is the Year of Zayed. Why? Well, 2018 not only marks the 100th birthday of HH Sheikh Zayed, the founding father of the UAE and the country’s first President; it is also the year in which to celebrate and understand HH Sheikh Zayed’s legacy, principles and values.  His innovative vision placed HH Sheikh Zayed at the forefront of education when he said, “a country’s greatest investment lies in building generations of educated and knowledgeable youth.” And it is this innovative vision that will shape your next edition of What Works.

Four key themes of the Year of Zayed will map your What Works day:
• Wisdom – the willpower and determination to challenge and achieve the impossible, with vision and patience
• Respect – the ability to welcome different races, religions and cultures
• Sustainability – preserving the environment by making it healthier, invest in education that focuses on advanced technology
• Human Development – happiness and noble morals, concepts of giving and philanthropy, priority to developing the human element – the true resource of UAE

The event – simply coined What Works Year of Zayed – is your opportunity to consider the different ways these themes impact education in the UAE, now and for future generations, so as always we look forward to welcoming you all for another wonderful day in which to connect, learn and share.
@WWTheYearofZayed

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum – Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government had launched the UAE Public Policy Forum in March, 2017 as an annual global discussion platform dedicated to enhancing government sector performance in the UAE and the region. Each year, the two-day event sheds light on a unique theme through addressing several related pillars within the sessions.

Reference: https://uaeln.ae/events/shaping-the-future-of-public-private-partnerships/

Abu Dhabi, UAE, April 23, 2017:

Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan launched her second children’s book during Earth Day celebrations yesterday at Masdar Park in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi.

Special storytelling sessions of The Adventures of Maxima and Coustaud – In Search of a Global Solution, captivated their young audience during a day packed full of family fun and games.

The Earth Day celebrations at Masdar Park also included live music, arts and crafts, a petting zoo, a climbing wall and a magician, as well as a community art workshop for adults.

This year’s Earth Day campaign was focused on “environmental and climate literacy”, with the aim of empowering people with the knowledge to help protect the environment. In keeping with this theme, Sheikha Shamma’s book educates young readers by charting the exploits of its two characters as they help a new friend, while encountering global environmental issues along the way.

Sheikha Shamma, who is also the founder of the UAE’s “Wanna Read?” initiative, said: “Sustainability is an important topic of discussion today, and ensuring that our children will be able to live comfortably within the boundaries of this planet, without harming the environment, is a key priority. This story aims to provide children with a brief understanding of climate change. I am pleased to be launching my book in the UAE at Masdar City, an inspiring location for children to visit and explore sustainability.”

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, added: “Masdar was proud to host the launch of this delightful book – its characters and exciting adventures are a great way of encouraging children to think about the environmental impact of human activities.

“It is essential that we engage with people about sustainability from an early age, and through all levels of their education. Masdar’s own commitment to this includes school tours at Masdar City, special events during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, such as the Student Exclusive and The Festival, and the Global High Schools category of the Zayed Future Energy Prize.”

Last year Masdar commissioned the Gen Z Global Sustainability Survey, which questioned about 5,000 people worldwide aged between 18 and 25 to understand what challenges they saw in the future.

The findings, which were announced at the COP22 Climate Change Conference in Morocco last November, revealed the high level of concern among young people about climate change, with 40% of those surveyed naming it among the biggest challenges facing the world in the next decade, ahead of the economy (34%), terrorism (32%), poverty & inequality (29%) and unemployment (29%).

The survey also revealed that many young people are so committed to the environment that they want to use their career to help it. Almost two in three (59%) said that they are interested in working or studying in an area related to sustainability.