In the vibrant constellation of CAC's seven Signature Programs, a star is shining brightly: the Renewable Energies Course — Engineered as a key component within our distinguished Future-Oriented Learning initiative, this course takes on a pivotal role. It serves as a transformative platform shaping the next generation of leaders and innovators who will steer the course toward a sustainable energy future. Beyond the theoretical realm, the course empowers students to move beyond passive consumption to become thoughtful contributors and advocates for sustainable energy.
This week, the course was enriched with a "Building a Sustainable Future: Recycling Workshop for Your School." This workshop, an integral part of our commitment to sustainability, was designed to align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and empower students to make a positive impact.
The workshop began with an exploration of SDG#13 Climate Action, encouraging students to link it with other SDGs, particularly SDG#12 Responsible Production and Consumption. Through mind-mapping activities, students generated initial action ideas, fostering a collaborative and innovative approach.
The second segment, "Children’s Environmental Rights," delved into real-world case studies, highlighting the impact of waste on children's lives in Jakarta and showcasing a school in Dhaka created to uplift children from slums. The workshop not only connected these case studies to the SDGs but also engaged students in problem-solving activities related to clean water access dilemmas.
"Wants vs Needs" prompted students to reflect on essential aspects of their lives, challenging them to order the SDGs based on relevance within a local context. This interactive session encouraged critical thinking and reshaped perspectives on essential needs.
The workshop also featured a case study on the development and environmental impacts of Dubai, offering students insights into both positive and negative aspects. The subsequent challenge involved envisioning the features of a future city in 2050 and linking them to specific SDGs.
The final segment, "How to be a ‘Green’ School," empowered students as leaders. Top tips and challenges related to sustainable practices were shared and discussed, followed by a tour of the school grounds. This hands-on experience allowed student leaders to assess current practices and discuss initiatives to reduce waste, water, energy, and resources, contributing to CAC's commitment to a sustainable and responsible future.
