To be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, the Global Citizen Forum (GCF) is thrilled to announce a number of exciting partnerships and world-renowned speakers to help bring this year’s event to life.
Hosted in partnership with the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), The Butterfly Effect Trilogy: Earth Age, is set to take place in Ras Al Khaimah on December 6th and 7th. His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence of the UAE, will deliver a welcome address, raising the curtain on the summit and sparking the conversations necessary to positively impact the world.
The GCF is honoured to welcome the RewirEd Summit as the event’s Knowledge Partner. The RewirEd Summit is Dubai Cares’ flagship platform advocating for transformed education systems as the core enabler for a sustainable future for people and planet. His Excellency Dr. Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer and Vice-Chairman of Dubai Cares is set to open the Annual Summit with his keynote remarks that will set the scene for a panel discussion about transforming climate awareness into meaningful action. During this panel, Lee Howell, Executive Director of the Villars Institute and former Managing Director of the World Economic Forum, and Irina Bokova, former Director General of UNESCO will be joined by Richard Quest, International Anchor at CNN, as they chart a course for a world in which education seamlessly translates into tangible climate solutions.
The GCF is also partnering with PANGAIA, the purpose-driven materials science company bringing problem-solving innovations to the world through its lifestyle apparel. PANGAIA and the GCF share a vision of an earth-positive future: aiming to leave a net positive effect on the planet and its people. To celebrate the collaboration, every guest will be able to experience PANGAIA’s innovation via a custom apparel station where they can receive a piece to take home. PANGAIA will also be treating attendees to a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the ‘Bee the Change‘ documentary by award-winning filmmaker Josh Tickell. Transporting guests into the mysterious world of bees, Josh will provide unique insights into the artistic process behind how art and film can change the world.
Art’s ability to inspire and enact change is a key theme at the Forum. Omer Polak, the Berlin-based interdisciplinary artist and designer, will be bringing his Olfactory Forest to Ras Al Khaimah. The installation will use sound and smell to disseminate the secret language of the forests that are at risk due to climate change. The iconic contemporary artist Domingo Zapata, whose distinctive paintings are loved by the likes of Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio, will lead an interactive workshop where guests will leave their mark on a giant canvas to show what global citizenship means to them.
The GCF is also delighted to welcome Yusra Mardini, the Syrian Olympian whose incredible personal story resonated around the world. Yusra will curate a poignant, reflective experience on raft refugees, enabling guests to step into the shoes of those forced to flee their homes, deepening the understanding of their perilous journeys across oceans in search of safety.
Renowned marine scientist Dr. Deborah Brosnan, Co-Founder of OceanShot with John Paul DeJoria, Global Entrepreneur and Philanthropist, and Drew Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), will go beneath the waves for a panel discussion about the waning health of our fragile coral ecosystems.
Andrea Prazakova, Senior Vice President of Mastercard, will lead a discussion on how we can best harness the potential of modern technology to create innovative climate solutions. She will focus on the potential that blockchain technology has to facilitate meeting climate targets – from fully traceable supply chains built on blockchains, to on-chain carbon markets that are straightforward to use and easy to track.
Armand Arton, Chairman of the Global Citizen Forum, said: “With experiences taking place high in the sky, beneath the sea, and behind the camera lens, we hope to bring new perspectives to our Global Citizens. It’s only by looking at the world from different angles that we’re able to imagine a world beyond borders, and an earth-positive future. Our guests will find something at the event to stimulate all their senses, and, with such a wide range of experiences, everyone will be able to take something away from this year’s event.”
