The first of a global series of Symposia was organised and facilitated by Target4Green in Dubai on 16th January 2016 at GEMS Kindergarten Starters, to learn about taking a more sustainable path and understand more deeply the implications of COP21 and the SDGs.

Over 200 students from 7 schools attended the full day of presentations, team-building and performances. Experts on sustainability took part in speeches and practical activities.

Here some of the students talk about their experience.

Maryam Yaseen Khan: GEMS Winchester School Dubai

This day had really increased my level of curiosity, responsibility and teamwork. We met companies with genius ideas contributing to solutions of global issues.

Sara Wael: The Westminster School, Dubai

The first and the main thing I have learned is that respecting others is very important. The second is that, in order to reach our goal or aim in life, we should not only be good at academics, but also should have good behaviour. Being ignorant of the behaviour will definitely have negative impacts on our world.

Ashitha Manoj: Delhi Private School, Sharjah

Being in the workshop was a lot of fun and we learnt about 17 different sustainable development goals (SDGs). We had activities like building a tower from newspaper and bottles, mind mapping on these SDGs, charades and listening to eco-friendly companies.

The event was covered in the national media through Khaleej Times, 7 DAYS and Gulf Today. See link: http://gulftoday.ae/portal/539f8faf-cc69-47f3-b091-af7876689085.aspx

The Beyond COP 21 initiatives, including the Symposium, have attracted interest from schools globally.