On 27 November, the Annual Inter College Environmental Public Speaking Competition 24th Cycle – 2024, hosted by the Emirates Environmental Group (EEG), took place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The Beijing Normal University delegation, comprising faculty and students from the SFD and the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, delivered an outstanding performance and achieved second place overall.

The Beijing Normal University delegation for this competition consisted of undergraduate students from the department of Art and Design at the SFD and the department of Geography at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, with both academies’ academic staff serving as mentors. As the first team from Mainland China to participate, their performance not only showcased the innovative thinking and sense of responsibility of Chinese youth in the global environmental arena, but also fostered deeper exchanges among young people from different countries on sustainable development issues.

As a key institution in the global environmental protection arena, the Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) has long been committed to advancing sustainable development. This year’s competition focused on the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, exploring themes such as “Harmonious Communities: Leading Climate Conscious Society”. More than 90 universities from around the world took part, with participating teams offering a cross-cultural, interdisciplinary exchange of ideas through their unique insights and innovative thinking on sustainability issues.

From the moment the Beijing Normal University delegation received the competition brief, they worked both efficiently and to a high standard, completing the full range of tasks from conceptual design to desk-based research, field investigation, data analysis and visualization design. In this interdisciplinary endeavour, team members drew upon their respective academic strengths, employing a scenario-based approach to delve into the sustainable transformation of energy consumption in Guangzhou’s urban villages. Through this case study, they offered an in-depth examination of key sustainability issues, showcasing the profound insights and practical outcomes achieved by Chinese youth in the field. 

On the day of the competition, the Beijing Normal University delegation presented a case study on the energy transition of urban villages in Guangzhou, incorporating the realities of China’s national context and employing service design principles to propose practical, innovative solutions. These measures not only aligned with the principles of sustainable development, but also showcased China’s distinctive perspective on advancing global climate action and energy transformation. The team’s outstanding performance received high praise from both judges and the audience. Following the competition, faculty and students from Beijing Normal University actively engaged in in-depth exchanges with young representatives from around the world, sharing their experiences and insights, and exploring future pathways for sustainable development. This interaction further strengthened international cultural dialogue and the exchange of ideas, offering Chinese wisdom to support global sustainable development.

During their time participating in the competition, the Beijing Normal University delegation also visited local green energy projects, including a “Solar Park”, as well as the Museum of the Future in Dubai and other cultural landmarks that embody the aesthetics of future technologies. In addition, they held in-depth discussions with faculty and students from New York University Abu Dhabi.

Both the SFD and the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Beijing Normal University have consistently embraced an international educational philosophy, actively fostering interdisciplinary integration. The excellent performance in this competition demonstrates the significant advantages of their faculty and students in disciplinary innovation and practical abilities. Looking ahead, they will continue to strive for further achievements, empowering Chinese youth to make an even greater contribution to global sustainable development.

About the Emirates Environmental Group (EEG)

The Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) is the first non-governmental organization (NGO) in the environmental protection sector worldwide to have obtained ISO14001 certification. It is also the only NGO in the United Arab Emirates recognized by both the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). In addition, EEG is a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact and a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).