Putting sustainability into practice with Future17

Our project was titled Empowering Future Stewards. It focused on developing a comprehensive school action kit for environmental engagement.  

We worked with WWF UAE, based in Abu Dhabi, to design lesson plans and activities for students aged 11 and older.  

The idea was to help students and their communities both learn about sustainability and engage with it inside the classroom and in their wider community. 

Communication was the biggest one. Having a lead communicator and developing an effective way to stay in touch was crucial. We mainly used WhatsApp, since we were spread across four or five different time zones. It was easier to send a quick message there than rely on emails.  

Time management and delegation were also important. At first, it took us a while to figure out roles, but once we divided responsibilities and set clear action steps and deadlines, everything became easier.  

We also had to be disciplined about sticking to those timelines and communicating progress with both the team and WWF. 

The biggest challenge was not really knowing exactly what the partners wanted. We had lots of ideas, but we needed to narrow them down to something useful and practical.  

Once we presented our ideas to WWF, we got feedback and were able to create a more structured plan, which made it much clearer how to move forward. 

I definitely learned time management across different time zones – that was a big one. We also had to manage different work expectations, since some of us were working as well as studying, and all at different levels.  

So, we learned to communicate openly. If someone couldn’t meet a deadline, they let the group know and we adapted.  

Navigating team dynamics was important too, but I was fortunate as our group communicated well and worked together effectively. 

We divided our final project into three terms, each focusing on a different aspect of the climate crisis: pollution, climate change, and biodiversity.  

We designed activities tailored to different age groups: 11–12, 13–15, and 16+. For each term, we created one to two activities for the younger students, one for the older groups, and one school-wide campaign. 

For example, in the first term (pollution), the school-wide campaign was making eco-bricks – collecting plastics and using them to build planters around the school. Younger kids played games like ‘Pollution Detector’ and ‘Pollution Dodgeball’ to learn about pollutants in an interactive way.  

The middle group had a pollution-sorting game, while the older group did an environmental negotiation simulation, which the partners in the UAE particularly liked, since it encouraged students to think globally while also considering local issues, such as energy use for cooling in the desert. 

We followed the same model for climate change and biodiversity. The partners loved the ideas, and they told us they’re still working on incorporating them. They promised to update us once they’re put into action. 

It definitely made me realise I enjoy international and global connections. I’ve always loved traveling and meeting people from different cultures. Being able to collaborate with people worldwide, understand their perspectives, and work together on projects is something I really value.  

I’m not sure exactly where that will lead me, but I know I want international connections to be part of my work. 

I think the SDGs are a great framework because they cover many different approaches to environmental issues. For me, it starts with education, making people aware of the world, their impact on it, and what they can do to change it.  

That’s why I liked this project so much: we were finding ways to teach younger students about climate issues. It’s not just about knowledge but about practice too, like the environmental negotiation simulation, which prepares them to think about their own role in making an impact. 

I’d tell them to make the most of the experience. It’s a lot of fun working with people from all over the world and brainstorming together. Our project allowed a lot of creativity and flexibility, which I loved.  

So, I’d say: be open to new ideas, share your thoughts, and establish open communication early so everyone feels comfortable contributing.