Mandela’s Vision, Global Change: The HPW Climate Education Model
Abstract
This session explores the transformative potential of the Habitable Planet Workshops (HPW) – a South African-born initiative – to foster climate change education, development and engagement on a global scale. Building on the legacy of Nelson Mandela’s vision, the session showcases the HPW program’s success in empowering young Africans and its potential to inspire a global movement for climate action and Earth Systems Science education.
Speakers
Aaliyah Shah, Programme Researcher, University of KwaZulu-Natal / Alliance for Collaboration on Climate and Earth System Science, South Africa
Carl Palmer, Education Training Manager, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research / Alliance for Collaboration on Climate and Earth System Science, South Africa George
Philander, Emeritus Professor, Princeton University, United States of America Brian Mantlana, Impact Area Manager, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, South Africa
Rob O’ Donoghue, Emeritus Professor, Rhodes University, South Africa
Neville Sweijd, Director, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research / Alliance for Collaboration on Climate and Earth System Science, South Africa
Kogilam Govender, Deputy Director, Department of Science and Innovation, South Africa
Makatu Mashanyu, Laboratory Technician, North West University, South Africa
Vidosava Jakovljevic, Student, University of Johannesburg, South Africa Cherie Forbes, Applications Coordinator, NASA BioSCape, South Africa
Joseph Ansong, Lecturer, University of Ghana, Ghana
Agenda
Session 1: Habitable Planet as a case study of African Leadership in Climate Change Education
09:00 AM – 09:05 AM
Welcome by Aaliyah Shah (UKZN/ACCESS – Convenor)
09:05 AM – 09:15 AM
Opening Remarks Speaker: Honorable Minister Blade Nzimande (Minister for Science and Innovation, South Africa)
09:15 AM – 9:45 AM
Keynote Address
Speaker: Prof Rob O’Donaghue (RU)
Topic: Placing HPW in the context of the environmental education landscape
09:45 AM – 10:05 AM
Speaker: Aaliyah Shah (UKZN/ACCESS)
Topic: Documenting Long-Term Effectiveness of the Habitable Planet
Program: A Ten-Year Research Perspective
10:05 AM – 10:25 AM
Speaker: Carl Palmer (ACCESS/CSIR)
Topic: Understanding the innovations leading to the success of Habitable Planet
10:25-10:45 am Speaker: Makatu Mashanyu (North West University)
Topic: Video presenting innovations of HPW in action
10:45 – 11:00 am Speaker: Joseph Ansong (University of Ghana)
Topic: Connecting the world through the innovative use of technology in the Habitable Planet FAST programme
Session 2: Building on the success of HPW towards international collaboration on climate change education and related SDGs
12:00 – 12:05 Welcome by Aaliyah Shah (UKZN, ACCESS – Convenor)
12:05 AM – 12:15 PM Opening Remarks
Speaker: Kogilam Govender (Department of Science and Innovation)
12:15 – 12:45 Keynote Address
Speaker: Prof George Philander (Princeton University)
Topic: Lessons from Astronomers – How Nelson Mandela would Approach
Climate Change
12:45 – 13:45
Panel Discussion: Upscaling the Habitable Planet Ideas – Practical and Policy Implications
Panelist 1: Brian Mantlana (CSIR)
Panelist 2: Cherrie Forbes (NASA BioSCape)
Panelist 3: Vidosava Jakovljevic (University of Johannesburg)
Panelist 4: Kogilam Govender (Department of Science and Innovation)
13:45 – 14:00 Way forward and Closing Remarks
Speaker: Dr Neville Sweijd (ACCESS/CSIR)