Voices of Future Generations English - Blog #Goals

Sustainable Vision - the voice of Inayah Fathima Faeez

Tue, 03 Jan 2023 13:44:36 +0400

Sustainable Vision

What do you think of when you consider a sustainable future?

There are loads of things we can do for this achievement, which is necessary considering the dire need for action against climate change today. Action is key.

Each one of us have different visions of a better future, a welcoming future for the generations to come, and each of our voices matter. For me, a better future, is a sustainable one. A one where everyone is a friend to the planet.

It is our responsibility to make sure that the future generations can see this. To achieve sustainability, the first thing we may require, is awareness. It is a very valuable tool we can use to begin laying the foundations for an eco-friendly world.

My vision of a sustainable future has a little bit of everything in it. It involves sustainable cities, based around all 17 of the sustainable development goals. It is important to begin by giving equality to everyone (even animals), so no one feels unvalidated or like their visions do not matter. All genders, races and ages must live together in harmony. Once we achieve this, we have peace, which leads to the people coming together to share their voices confidently. In the future, I wish to see solar powered buildings, more youth-led initiatives so that children may be treated with the same value, proper waste management (which includes materials being sorted into their proper bins), and food security.

But these are ideas that exist. To bring stronger sustainable communities to life, we must add our own unique touch. You should never be afraid to speak up. This is a fight against climate change, this is a fight we’re all supposed to be warriors for. Your voice matters. Together, we can turn our dreams to reality!

Voice of Inayah Fathima Faeez

Inayah Fathima Faeez is an ardent reader and writer from Gems United Indian School,Abu Dhabi. Her dream is to become a world renowned author and bureaucrat. Inayah hopes to encourage SDG 11-Sustainable Cities and Communities as she believes development should be long lasting and benefit the generations to come. Inayah is 11.

"We Are Going to Space!" - the voice of Sultan AlNeyadi

Sun, 04 Oct 2020 07:27:15 +0400

Probably one of the most memorable moments of my life was when I was watching the night sky back in the 80s. Back then, the sky looked different, and we were able to see our magnificent galaxy “Milky Way” much more clearly. I was fortunate to be born in a remote area called Umm Ghafa, located 32 km away from Al Ain city, the second-largest city in the emirate of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. Since Umm Ghafa was quite remote, we had minimal light pollution that made stars more visible. It was fun, especially when trying to count the stars with my brothers and sisters. Although it seemed impossible at that time, the idea of visiting these stars captured my imagination, mostly since Star Blazers - an animated television series was my favourite thing to watch. The series was about the crew of a spaceship, who was the last hope for humanity to defeat an extra-terrestrial enemy. The main character was Derek Wildstar, a pilot and an astronaut. Therefore, my childhood dream was to be a pilot and an astronaut.

My father worked for years in the aviation academy, and I used to see him in his blue suit every day. This convinced me even more to pursue my dream of being a pilot and an astronaut. It was only in the 3rd grade that I learned that my father was not a pilot but was involved in ground training. For an eight-year-old boy that was a setback, as I believed my father would help me fly closer to the stars or at least teach me how to be a pilot like him. It got even more challenging when I found out that to be a pilot, one should have perfect eyesight, which I lacked. I wore glasses throughout my final years in high school. Upon graduation, I applied to many places for higher education. Unfortunately, the aviation academy was not one among them. The aviation academy accepted only those with perfect eyesight, among other medical and physical attributes. So, I decided to be an engineer, just like many of my friends who got scholarships from the military to study communications engineering abroad.

Although I found myself attracted to engineering, I did not let go of my childhood dream. My first assignment in the engineering management course was to write about communication technologies, and I chose communication satellites as my topic. Throughout my military career and academic life, starting from my bachelor’s degree up until receiving my PhD degree in information technology, space was an inescapable obsession. I owned a telescope at one stage that allowed me to view the Moon, Saturn and Jupiter, which was an unforgettable experience. My favourite books and movies were always linked to space. My computer screen wallpapers were pictures of beautiful distant nebulas or galaxies taken by the Hubble space telescope.

In the year 2017, at the age of 37, my passion for space led me to attend the first science event organized by the Mohammed bin Rashed Space Centre (MBRSC). This event came to showcase our country’s achievements in the space sector which included imaging satellites, Emirates Mars Mission “Hope Probe” and Mars Science City. It was evident that the UAE was doing everything possible to further its space sector. It was only a matter of time before we would have an Emirati astronaut. I went to the event with my eight-year-old daughter Reem, in the hope that she would get inspired and fulfil her father’s dream of becoming an astronaut when the opportunity arose within 10 or 15 years. She was so excited and thrilled to be there, and I saw in her eyes a familiar shine - something I had when I was her age. It was only a month after that event that MBRSC announced the launch of the UAE Astronaut Programme. The search for UAE’s first astronauts had officially begun. That announcement revived my childhood dream, and it was like a call for captain Wildstar to join the crew on an epic journey. I applied with no hesitation, and I went back home that day and told my daughter: “Reem! Get ready, I think we are going to space soon!”

Favourite childhood book? World Atlas

Favourite book right now? We Have No Idea: A Guide to the Unknown by Jorge Cham, Daniel Whiteson.

Favourite lesson at school? Science

Favourite animal/lifeform? Falcon

Favourite hero/heroine? My Father

Voice of Sultan AlNeyadi

Sultan AlNeyadi is one of the two selected astronauts in the UAE Astronaut Programme, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, in 2017. The Programme aims to train and prepare a team of Emirati astronauts and send them to space for various scientific missions.

AlNeyadi was selected from over 4,000 candidates, following a series of mental and physical tests in the UAE and abroad. He is a holder of a PhD in information technology (data leakage prevention).

Gender Equality - the voice of Anisa Daniel Oniko

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 15:43:57 +0400

I recently had a conversation with my father about gender equality. And it was interesting to see that the topic can mean different things to different people. Because of this discrepancy, I want to write about what gender equality (SDG number five) really means. And also, what it doesn’t.

I’m a girl, and I was taught to bat out of the park and go above and beyond. This is an upbringing all children should have, irrespective of their gender. Opportunities should be given based on merit and readiness to do one’s best, not on gender.

The fact that women can’t inherit property in some instances, the pay gap, and the discrimination women experience in their day to day lives are all real problems that have to be addressed. Women are often treated as second class citizens, hence the need for SDG Number 5. So, gender equality is more than fixing the pay gap or addressing gender-based violence. Gender equality is the freedom of both genders to pursue happiness and chase their dreams, replacing the despair of discrimination with hope for the future.

The point of SDG number 5 is to advocate a level playing field for both women and men.

In a world with gender equality, GDPs would increase, hate-crimes would decrease, and the lives of children all over the world would be better. The earth would be happier! Think about it! An existence with more opportunities for women to bring their talents, gifts, and unique perspectives to the table. Sounds good to me!

A hero of mine, Malala Yousafzai, once said “We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.” Advancements have been made, and these should be celebrated. But there’s always more to be done. So instead of holding women back, let’s propel them forward!

Voice of Anisa Daniel Oniko

Anisa is an author, and a UN child ambassador for the SDGs. Who employs her writing to entertain and shed light on her causes.

She is delighted to invite adults and children alike into the realms of her imagination to provide fun, twists, lovable characters, and inspiration to keep reading!

The voice of DrJane Goodall

Sun, 14 Jun 2020 15:12:39 +0400

VOFG provides a wonderful opportunity to encourage and inspire young people to communicate their passion for the issues that interest them – the natural world, the right of children, or animals and so on - through the powerful medium of words. It highlights the importance of getting our youth to take an interest in sustainable development and voice their opinions on the most pressing issues and obstacles that threaten and hinder our planet and its inhabitants; and how desperately important it is to protect and restore the natural world for future generations to come.

I strongly support this project and look forward to seeing it develop. I encourage all youth to take up the challenge in this creative field of expression and thought. From the age of ten I have always wanted to write articles and books and poems about the things I care about.

Voice of Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE

Founder - the Jane Goodall Institute & UN Messenger of Peace

Favourite childhood book? The Story of Doctor Doolitte (and other stories in the Series)

Favourite book right now? The Lord of the Rings – J. R. R. Tolkien

Favourite lesson at school? English Literature.

Favourite animal/lifeform? Dog.

Favourite hero/heroine? Winston Churchill.

Jane Goodall is the world’s best-known female scientist. She started studying chimpanzees in 1960 in Gombe Tanzania, where research continues today. The Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) was founded in 1977 and there are now JGI offices in 27 counties. In 1991 she formed Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots, a programme that empowers young people of all ages to undertake projects for their local community, for animals and for the environment, and is now active in more than 60 countries. In 1994 Jane formed TACARE (Take Care) which is a community-centred conservation and development programme which partners with communities around Gombe to create sustainable livelihoods while promoting conservation goals.

Dr Goodall’s numerous awards and honorary degrees include France’s Order of the Legion d’Honneur, the Medal of Tanzania and Japan’s prestigious Kyoto Prize. In 2002 Jane was appointed to serve as a United Nations Messenger of Peace and in 2003 she was named a Dame of the British Empire. She is author of many books and has featured in many films and documentaries around the world.

Life in Taiwan during Lockdown - the voice of Ying-Xuan Lai

Wed, 03 Jun 2020 14:43:10 +0400

When people get stuck at home during quarantine, domestic cats need to get used to being bothered by human. Before the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, when people used to spend most of the time at work or at school, cats enjoyed taking possession of the entire house. Now humans are at home all the time, cats might feel that their territory is lost, or maybe they begin to like the human’s 24-hour service. No matter what happens outside, cats can eat and sleep well as usual.

Long time no see, egrets. In the past few years, maybe they have been hiding in some bamboo groves. But now that humans must stay at home, they are finally free to fly in the clear blue sky outside my window and look at me. Maybe they are laughing at me, showing their mercy, or empathizing with me. These animals all remind us that we don’t own the earth. We don’t have the right to plunder all the natural resources or to destroy the environment because we must learn to share the earth with all animals. We must find a way to live in harmony with every living being.

I think rather than counting on someone to save our planet, it is more reasonable to make everyone see their responsibilities towards the environment and act. No one can isolate themselves from the environmental problems, and we can all do something.

The first thing we could do is ask our government to pay attention to the environmental issues and keep track of any suggested solutions. Governments around the world are trying to contain the spread of the virus on one hand and ensure economic growth on the other. In most cases, governments tend to pursue economic growth at the expense of the environment. But if we take the long view, we see that only when our environment is healthy and sustainable, does our society and economy have space to grow.

Secondly, if we won’t be intruding into the animals’ habitats, maybe animals that carry unknown or novel viruses will have less of a chance to infect humans. Agriculture and animal agriculture cause most tropical deforestation. So, if everyone can eat less meat, we can save the forest and animal habitats.

Thirdly, it is said that global warming enables the virus to stay active all over the world. Therefore, when we get through this pandemic, we should not forget to try our best to reduce our carbon emissions.

And lastly, don’t waste medical resources; leave resources for those who really need them. Wear a face mask in public and dispose it off carefully after using it. Don’t let masks become the next largest pollutant after plastic.

During this coronavirus pandemic, we have seen how the earth has started to heal itself. If this is the world, we want for ourselves, then we should not leave the problems to our future generations. The pandemic has given us a chance to pause and rethink the direction we want to take. It’s high time we change our attitude and take effective action.

Voice of Ying-Xuan Lai

A student of experimental education, Ying-Xuan Lai is a 15-year-old from Taiwan who loves cats, reading, writing, drawing, designing, and doing environmental surveys. After winning the Voices of Future Generations Gold Award in 2016, she came up with the idea of a “Cat Trilogy”, which addresses animal and human dependence on each other. She is passionate about demonstrating how all living beings can coexist in the same biological community. Her first book “A Path to Life” and second book “The Sound of Silence” choose the Taiwanese leopard cat Formosan Clouded Leopard as the lead character. Currently she is working on her third book about stray cats.

“Diversity .. Brings Us Together” - the voice of Hessa Almehairi

Sat, 23 May 2020 14:45:08 +0400

World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development

Let me give you a little secret, I spent 12 years as student in school repeating “I would be anything but a teacher”! and guess what?! I’m a teacher from 10 years and can’t be proud enough! On the other hand, I totally believe that it was my fate! After spending so many years with the children in schools, I could see how similar their reactions are, yet so different in personalities and cultures. There was a time when I truly believed that I was fated to be a kindergarten teacher for a bigger reason. Didn’t know what it was, but kept searching for it.

Until one day in school, I had a child who was different in the eyes of his friends! For me, he was different too! But in a very inspiring way! My job at that time was to help the rest of the children to know and see through their hearts, that it doesn’t matter how different we look from each other, or how strange we behave sometimes, because we are all special in our own way!

It was a tough year for all of us, the children and I. Nevertheless, I was so proud that they graduated knowing and fully understanding how diversity can bring us together! The love, tolerance and support they gave that little child, helped us all to grow emotionally and socially!

So “The Dinoraf” story was born! It was the bigger reason for becoming a teacher that I was looking for! It was the massage I wanted to send to all the children in the world and their parents! That diversity in cultures, in traditions, in looks, in personalities are what makes each of us unique! As much as we are different from each other, as much as we are interested in each other!

So, no matter where we come from or what we belong to, we can live peaceful life together. We can all focus on universal goals, that create tolerant environment which leads to sustainability and maintain the level of safety in life. As H.H Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said “Tolerance increases strength and resilience, and help establish a global cohesive society” . Therefore, my little readers .. open your eyes .. unleash your creativity .. think extraordinary plots, because we are not meant to be normal! Find your message, as I found mine .. and send it peacefully to the world to unify us and bring us all together!

Reference:

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (2015) Quotes, Available at: https://sheikhmohammed.ae/en-us/quotes (Accessed: 22-May-2020).

Voice of Hessa Almehairi

Hessa Almehairi is an author and illustrator in children’s literature. She obtained a Bachelor degree in Early Childhood Education and a Double Master degree in Management and Education Policy from DEKIN University. She also recently joined Academy of Art University in San-Francisco to specialize in children’s books illustrations in order to produce the finest Emirati children’s books. She participated in the Emirates Festival of Literature and presented many reading sessions for children in various schools and libraries.

One of the most important achievements of the author is that her story "The Dinoraf" won the Sheikh Zayed Book Award in 2018. Later, the story was nominated for translation in three languages and was launched in Frankfurt International Book Fair in 2019.

For Contact:

Email: hessa.almehairi@live.com

Instagram: @hessa_illa

Covid 19 stories and my Superheroes! - the voice of Jennifer Malton

Thu, 23 Apr 2020 11:04:26 +0400

Foundation Lockdown.

Write a blog they said; it will only need to be 75 words they said. Well, here goes!

The hashtag #inthistogether is trending, which made me wonder: “If I were a superhero, would I still be saving the world during the lockdown?”

Would I need to self-distance, wear a mask and gloves?

This practice may be problematic while rescuing the person stuck on top of Burj Khalifa.

How would I operate in these troubled times?

Would I drop my superhero kit at the door before entering the house and then do a hot wash, against my environmental cold wash practice, to keep my family safe?

A superhero who saves the planet might seem like a good thing, but would he or she have to make choices to keep the world AND his or her family safe? Of course they would, right?

I would love to see one of our young writers imagine how their character would react to the virus locally. What choices would they make to save the world?

What would that character do during the pandemic that made the difference for all of us in the UAE?

Would their character be the hero or the villain?

Will they need to work together, just as we do right now in the UAE, to overcome the virus?

Whichever choices they make, they now have extra time to submit their story. The submission date is extended to 7 June, so keyboards at the ready.

I, for one, cannot wait to read the adventures that unfold.

And I will firmly leave my superhero outfit in the cupboard. Anyhow, it may well not fit after the lockdown!

Voice of Jennifer Malton

Jennifer has a mission of spreading the love of reading across the UAE and beyond. Jennifer oversees all operations aspects of the Foundation’s events. She is also on a sustainability mission to make the Emirates Literature Festival the first certified green Festival in the region and champions environmentally preferable solutions within the organisation and through the supply chain.
Jennifer is also named consultant on the Voices of Future Generations initiative, under the patronage of UNESCO, supporting HH Sheikha Hissa Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Goodwill Ambassador for the Gulf.

What does inclusion mean to YOU and what are the three key characteristics of an inclusive society? - the voice of Isobel Abulhoul

Wed, 04 Mar 2020 12:05:50 +0400

When I think about inclusion, I look around me, in the workplace, at schools, in the retail environment, and I think how lucky we are in the UAE to have more than 200 nationalities calling this country home.

We share our foods, our cultures, our customs wherever we go.

At a recent team lunch at the Emirates Literature Foundation’s offices, I tasted delicious food from around the world for the first time, which included vegan, vegetarian, helal foods so everyone could join in and enjoy our ‘pot-luck’ meal.

Inclusion means speaking to whoever you may meet, finding out where they are from and what bought them to the Emirates.

Sometimes we might think it is easier to stay within our ‘bubble’, not make the effort. Please pop that ‘bubble’ step out into the world around us and celebrate being an inclusive person.

Learn some Arabic so that you can converse with Emiratis and people from the Arab World, learn some Hindu greetings so you can wish friends from India who celebrate Diwali.

A smile is one of the best ways to break the ice, regardless of language or nationality.

Let no one remain invisible; everyone deserves to be included in 2020 and beyond.

Three key characteristics of an inclusive society

· Acceptance

· Celebrating diversity and difference

· Recognising that all humanity shares the same internal feelings

by Isobel Abulhoul, CEO of the Emirates Literature Foundation and Festival Director of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature