NEWS Stay up to date with our latest news 01 May 2024 Wateroam Makes Waves at Dubai’s DIHAD Conference Wateroam, the 2022 Prize recipient in the Water category, showcased its innovative solutions at the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid & Development Conference (DIHAD), held from 23-25 April 2024. Hosted by the DIHAD Sustainable Humanitarian Organisation, the event served as a platform for global leaders, NPOs and innovators to converge and address pressing humanitarian challenges. DIHAD, headquartered in the United Kingdom and founded by His Excellency Amb. Dr. Abdulsalam Al Madani, is dedicated to fostering sustainable development, humanitarian initiatives, and education worldwide. With a mission to empower communities affected by crises and disasters, DIHAD aims to instill resilience and create a more equitable world for all. Wateroam's participation in DIHAD underscores its commitment to addressing the critical issue of access to clean water in vulnerable communities. Through its innovative water filtration technologies, Wateroam has been at the forefront of providing scalable and sustainable solutions to underserved regions around the globe. At DIHAD, Wateroam showcased its latest advancements in water purification technology, demonstrating how these solutions can significantly impact humanitarian efforts in resource-constrained environments. By providing access to safe drinking water, Wateroam not only addresses immediate needs but also contributes to long-term community resilience and development. DIHAD serves as a catalyst for collaboration and innovation, bringing together stakeholders from diverse sectors to explore new approaches to humanitarian challenges. As a participant in DIHAD, Wateroam leveraged this platform to forge partnerships, share best practices, and amplify its impact on global water accessibility. As we reflect on DIHAD and Wateroam's contributions, we are reminded of the power of innovation and collaboration in driving positive change. Only by working together, we can build a more sustainable and resilient world where access to clean water is not a privilege but a fundamental human right.   Read More 01 May 2024 Reimagining Earth Day from the Train's Perspective This year, I had plenty of time to reflect on Earth Day. Instead of participating in cleanup events or hiking, I embarked on an 8-hour train journey from my hometown in southern Germany to Hannover to visit my girlfriend. As I watched the landscape pass by, I thought about what Earth Day really means to me and how others might think about the day. During the journey, I couldn't help but notice a contradiction: the train's infrastructure and materials are partially sourced through energy-intensive means, currently reliant on fossil fuel-powered methods. Yet it is propelled by renewable electricity, carrying nearly a thousand passengers. The realisation highlighted both the strides we've made with green technologies and the challenges that lie ahead, while also emphasising how perfection fallacies can obscure our judgment and sow doubt in our journey toward a renewable future. For me, Earth Day serves as a poignant reminder of our interconnectedness with the planet. As I gazed out the train window, I felt a sense of responsibility, a sense of doing my part in transitioning the world away from fossil fuels. It frequently seems that there are more pressing crises to confront, more urgent matters demanding our attention and action. The Earth forms the bedrock of our existence; without it, all other issues pale in significance. In recent years, I've observed a notable shift in the primary obstacle impeding immediate and comprehensive climate action and grid decarbonisation efforts. While technologies such as solar, heat pumps, and wind energy have become increasingly cost-competitive, policy barriers have emerged as the primary impediment to widespread adoption and implementation. Advocating, voting for the right leaders, and advancing environmental policy have emerged as my most impactful means of amplifying my voice in the battle against climate change. But, at times, the demands of activism leave me feeling tired. But on Earth Day, I am reminded why I do all the things I do. It’s like the refreshing feeling of standing on the top of a mountain, enjoying the scenery, and listening to the wind howling. Earth Day also serves as a source of reassurance for the community, fostering a sense of unity through numerous local and international events. For me, it goes beyond just being a celebration—it's a call to embody Gandhi's timeless wisdom: "be the change you wish to see in the world." Even if it means opting for an 8-hour train journey over a 1-hour flight. Written by Mattis Emil Kley who attended Schuelerforschungszentrum Suedwuerttemberg, which won the Prize in the Global High Schools category in 2016. Read More 01 May 2024 A Day in the Life of an Australian Waste Educator Sustainability and education have always been a passion of mine. I have been lucky to grow and develop this interest and turn it into a career; where every day is different and I get to share my interests and expertise with my community, helping them understand the wonderful world of waste. What do I actually do, you may be asking? Do you sort garbage all day? Am I a teacher? Do I sit at a desk all day and write reports? The truth is, I do all the above and more. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not always a glamorous job. Yes, some days I do sort through piles of garbage and look in people's bins, but it’s the education element of the job that is very fulfilling. Being able to do my little part to help the environment encourages me to go to work every day with renewed dedication and passion, knowing that I am contributing to a greater cause and making a positive impact on environmental awareness and sustainability efforts. Let’s look at what an average day of work is for me. My day starts before dawn. My first job of the day is a morning bin inspection. For 3 hrs I walk the streets of a residential area, visually observing the contents of the household kerbside recycling and/or garden waste bins, providing instant feedback and information to the residents on what is and isn’t accepted in their bins in the form of cardboard tags that hang off the bin. Some residents call me the ‘bin police’, others express gratitude for my efforts, acknowledging the necessity for the education program in their area. People generally leave the conversation with understanding the importance of the programme. It's important to note that what I do is purely educational. There are no fines, a point which resonates with those I speak with. My second job for the day is a class of 4-year-old children. Where I teach them about compost worms. The children also helped me set up a worm farm that was kindly donated by a local resident ready for their fruit scraps. My last job for the day is talking to an adult community group at a local library who are keen to learn about the basics of recycling. It’s not every day that I get to do such diverse educational sessions. Yes, some days I do sort garbage into over 85 categories, to inform local governments on the type of waste being generated by their community. Other days I might be consulting with a local government to support and guide them on their waste education strategies, But why is this important? Why can’t everything just go into one bin? Waste is a resource just in the wrong place. When separated and disposed of correctly it can be used for many generations to come. Burying, burning, and buying new should be last resorts. It is part of my job to educate, engage, inspire, and empower community members to make their own change. I enjoy what I do, I love learning with the community and exploring the wonderful world of waste and sustainability every day. No two days are the same and that’s what keeps it exciting. By Gina Handby, alumna of Melbourne Girls School, 2015 Prize winner Read More 23 April 2024 Zayed Sustainability Prize’s Beyond2020 Initiative Deploys Life-saving Digital Mammograms in Costa Rica AI-powered mammography services will help detect breast cancer cases among women living in underprivileged communities across Costa Rica Abu Dhabi, UAE – 23 April, 2023 – Beyond2020, the flagship initiative launched by the Zayed Sustainability Prize, the UAE’s pioneering award for sustainability and humanitarianism, today announced the deployment of AI-powered mammography services across Costa Rica to support the early detection and treatment of breast cancer for women living in underprivileged communities. The initiative will significantly enhance access to high quality healthcare for women in the region. 8,000 tests will be conducted annually using the AI-based mammography services, which have been deployed in Juan Pablo II Medical Centre in Cartago, with plans to deploy the services in additional health facilities in the future. A cutting-edge mobile unit has also been deployed, reaching underserved areas across Costa Rica where access to healthcare may be limited. The mobile unit is owned and operated by CENRAD, which has reached 840 women across 13 locations since January. The Beyond2020 deployment in Costa Rica was carried out by the 2022 Zayed Sustainability Prize winner Mamotest, an Argentina-based health-tech SME and Latin America's first tele-mammography network, which has provided low-cost healthcare to more than 750,000 patients and promoted awareness for millions in the region. H.E. Rawdha Alotaiba, Ambassador, UAE Embassy in Costa Rica, said: “Further strengthening the bilateral relations between UAE and Costa Rica, Beyond2020 and its partners are pleased to introduce a project that will enhance the prosperity and wellbeing of 8,000 women annually in Costa Rica, particularly women in remote and underprivileged communities. As we extend the UAE’s humanitarian efforts worldwide, we are dedicated to carrying forward Sheikh Zayed’s humanitarian legacy while supporting collective action to improve lives.” Cindy Quesada Hernández, Ministry of the Status of Women (MSW), Costa Rica, stated: "Promoting a preventive culture and self-care contributes to women in Costa Rica leading healthier lives. Consequently, we express our sincerest gratitude to Beyond2020 and its valuable partners for their significant contribution to the progress of this goal. Their commitment to sustainability and humanitarian aid has changed the lives of the communities they serve, laying the foundation for a more just society for all." In 2022, Costa Rica reported 1,344 new breast cancer cases and 423 breast cancer deaths. Studies find that women from disadvantaged communities have lower rates of breast cancer detection, treatment, and survival compared to women from more affluent areas. By extending Mamotest’s services to rural areas in Costa Rica with limited resources, Beyond2020 is helping to advance health equity and improve access to quality care for thousands of women. Mamotest is the result of Guillermo Pepe’s vision, who always heard first-hand of the huge difference early breast cancer detection could make in saving lives from his father, a doctor specialised in breast imaging diagnosis. “We strive to overcome hurdles with innovation, perseverance, and a deep sense of purpose, ensuring that every woman receives the timely and accurate care she deserves. Our platform ensures 100 percent traceability of patients and provides continuous follow-up until they receive treatment. By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, Mamotest detects anomalies often overlooked by human observation, significantly improving early-stage detection,” shared Pepe. After winning the Zayed Sustainability Prize in 2022, Mamotest expanded operations of its state-of-the-art diagnostic centres beyond Argentina to Mexico, Costa Rica, Brazil and Spain. Now, they work with existing labs to provide high-quality mammograms at low cost, enabling women to overcome geographical, technological, and economic barriers to access healthcare. The data-driven, end-to-end solution has increased breast cancer survival rates, with improved access to both treatment and medicine. Dr. Lamya Fawwaz, Director of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, said: “Accessible and affordable mammograms have the potential to significantly enhance women's quality of life. Beyond2020 and its partners are glad to play a part in making Costa Rica more responsive to the health needs of its citizens, particularly women. The deployment also builds community awareness on the power of preventative healthcare to empower individuals, promote early detection, and ultimately save lives, fostering a healthier and more resilient society.” Beyond2020 brings together a leading number of partners, which include Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, BNP Paribas, Mubadala Energy and Masdar. As part of Beyond2020’s impact to date, a total of 18 deployments have been rolled out, including energy, health, water and food-related solutions, transforming the lives of over 229,800 people in the following countries: Nepal, Tanzania, Uganda, Jordan, Egypt, Cambodia, Madagascar, Indonesia, Bangladesh, The Philippines, Rwanda, Peru, Lebanon, Sudan, Ethiopia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Costa Rica. India and Colombia have been identified as deployment grounds for future initiatives.   Read More 01 March 2024 From Insight to Action: My Transformative Experience at the World Environmental Education Congress Imagine stepping into a realm where every conversation, every session, ignites a spark within you. This was my reality at the World Environmental Education Congress (WEEC), it is the world’s largest gathering of environmental educators, leaders, advocates, and even students to forge a sustainable future through the power of education. “Connecting People, Creating Tomorrow” was not just a theme, it was an invitation to embark on a life-long journey of sustainability. It challenged us to make a collaborative effort on finding ways to achieve a more sustainable world. We can learn from one another. We may have different approaches to solve the problem, but what matters most is that we’re solving it together for the better.  Among the mosaic of sessions, the keynote speech captivated me. The speaker, Razan Al Mubarak, President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, empowered the minds of the youth to foster a culture of sustainability. Powerfully, she emphasised that knowledge alone is not enough to solve environmental problems but also the dedication and willingness to protect the environment.  The speech painted a vision where education transcends knowledge dissemination to become a catalyst for empathy, action, and innovation. This wasn't just a speech; it was a call to action for the next generation, which has not only the knowledge but also the heart to protect our planet.  But what made WEEC truly unforgettable were the connections forged in the spaces between. Over steaming cups of coffee, we shared stories, empowering youth with our journey to winning the Zayed Sustainability Prize. In our sessions, we united in the conviction that together, we can overcome environmental challenges worldwide. Leaving the congress, I felt hopeful and determined. The Congress marked a pivotal moment for me, transforming my perspective on our environment. It made me realise that those of us who care about the planet need to lead by example, showing both knowledge and compassion in our efforts.  I owe a debt of gratitude to the Zayed Sustainability Prize for this life-changing journey. I am keen to share the valuable insights acquired at WEEC, just as I have done here. Let's apply these lessons in our communities and classrooms to drive meaningful change. Together, we can forge a future of collective action, living in harmony with nature.   Read More 24 January 2024 Nkhata Bay's Solar Triumph 2014 Zayed Sustainability Prize Winners in the Global High Schools category, Sub-Saharan Africa   By Principal George Kulaso   Our school, the Nkhata Bay Authority in Malawi, was the winner of the Zayed Sustainability Prize in the Global High Schools (Sub-Saharan Africa region). This was an honour not just for our school, but indeed for our entire community.    Last December, our school's delegation had the honour of attending the Prize Awards Ceremony at COP28 UAE. Joyce Mhango and Mary Zayed had the distinct privilege of highlighting the transformative impact that the Prize has had on our entire community. I then joined them in thanking the UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his support.   We shared the profound impact winning the Prize had on our community. A testament to this was Joyce's story of how Mary received her name in honour of Sheikh Zayed, being one of the first babies born in a well-lit health clinic, a direct benefit of our Prize victory.   For some context as to why this meant so much to us, Malawi is one of the least electrified countries in the world with only 5 percent of rural communities having access to power and electricity.   Winning the Prize enabled us to build the Zayed Solar Academy – the very first solar academy in Malawi targeting rural youth and women.   The Zayed Solar Academy initiated the formation of a solar curriculum in collaboration with the Malawi government. We are now a national college specialising in solar PV technologies, recruiting youth around the country.    We are working towards becoming a centre for excellence for solar technologies and research.    Thank you, Sheikh Zayed.   Read More Load More INSPIRATION DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Get all the latest updates from the Zayed Sustainability Prize and learn about the impact our finalists, winners and partners are making globally.

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