Global Summer Symposium

ON THIS VIRTUAL PROGRAM YOU WILL:

• Travel “virtually” to Asia and the Caribbean to collaborate with leaders in Thailand and the Dominican Republic
• Confront climate change head-on and uncover what sustainable solutions may exist
• Meet like-minded peers with a shared interest in environmental stewardship
• Dive into UN Sustainable Development Goal #11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities
• Explore UN Sustainable Development Goal #13 – Climate Action
• Earn a certificate of achievement at the end of your two-week experience

During this Global Summer Symposium on the Environment, we’re going to explore climate change and the concept of sustainable living in two regions of the world most likely to be heavily affected, Asia and the Caribbean.

The climate crisis is one of the biggest challenges our world faces and is an immediate threat to both the planet and the people who call it home. Our world needs simplified solutions that can be applied to any country and any person in the world.

Students on this program will travel virtually to Thailand and the Dominican Republic to tackle the issue of climate change while making the case for sustainable cities and communities. Connect deeper to each culture you encounter along the way. You may participate in a cooking course to make a traditional Thai Curry, listen to the diverse and eclectic sounds of the Caribbean or go on a tour of a traditional textile market.

Throughout this two-week online program, discover global environmental conditions as they are today.

Use the SDG concepts as a foundation for your exploration of real-life case studies. Hear from expert speakers as they share how climate change is causing irreparable changes to their communities and see the efforts they are making to confront the issue head-on through the creation of more sustainable communities.

Work in teams to develop a project proposal to offer a solution to climate change issue we see today and pitch your ideas to our guest leaders. Through deep learning, collaboration and innovation, we can come together to share ideas and build anew toward a better and more sustainable future.

From the island of Hispaniola, in the Dominican Republic we will hear from the team at 7Elements who work year round to bring support and life to community-led initiatives. Hear how they are working to confront the issue of climate change, one plastic bottle at a time.

In Thailand, hear from Vijo Varghese and his team at OurLand who are currently working to set up an entirely new paradigm of living from the land. Through this exploratory experience, students will be guided to work in teams to develop a project proposal to offer a solution to climate change issue we see today and pitch their ideas to our guest speakers.

During this program, students will explore UN Sustainable Development Goal #11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities and UN Sustainable Development Goal #13 – Climate Action.