Staff Report<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UNIVERSITY CITY, SHARJAH\u2014 Eight students from the American University of Sharjah contributed towards the global dialogue on climate change and sustainability during the final session of the Climate Ambassadors Program (CAP) held on Oct. 28 at the Expo City, Dubai. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The program, organized by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and the Expo School Programme, is a simulation of the Conference of Parties (COP) negotiations for youth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 40 students from five different colleges attended the three-hour session, which revolved around \u201cAgenda 4: Food Security and Climate Change,\u201d one of the focus topics for discussion. Participants were divided into four negotiating blocks: G77 + China, Arab States, the European Union, and the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS). Each delegate represented a country within one of these negotiating blocks and was required to come prepared with knowledge of the climate-related challenges faced by their assigned country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The AUS participants, namely Mohammad Amaan Siddiqui, Nour Ahmad, Jumana Aljehani, Amal Haneef, Jumana Rageh, Sanjana Bharwani, Adel Safa, and Maha Al Ali, collaborated to develop action plans and ultimately reached a consensus to address global climate and food-related concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCAP was a unique learning experience simulating a diplomatic negotiation different from MUNs,\u201d said Siddiqui, an International Studies major. \u201cWe also had the opportunity to make an action plan for food security not just listing solutions but also thinking about their funding, tech requirements, knowledge, implementation, KPIs [Key Performance Indicators], and accountability.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCAP was a one-of-a-kind experience. It was interesting to see a group of like-minded individuals engaging in conversation and debate about a cause we all felt strongly towards,\u201d said Rageh, an Architecture major. \u201cI think it would be worthwhile to explore how we could get involved on a larger scale with global climate-related issues because it was clear we have the passion and drive for it.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n