Emirates Foundation brings students and intellectuals to World Future Energy Summit

The three-day international conference on January19-21 will be attended by distinguished speakers such as former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, CEO of Abu Dhabi's renewable energy initiative, Masdar.

The Emirates Foundation's support enables 55 Emirati students to attend the prestigious event by covering their $200 delegates' fees and hotel accommodation for two nights. The students are studying subjects such as the environment, geography and science, with funds channelled to the United Arab Emirates University , Abu Dhabi University , the American University in Sharjah and the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT).

The Foundation is also funding one of the separate events convened under the summit's umbrella - "The Agenda for the New Millennium: Think Humanity. Think the Planet" which extends through January 22.

The platform is organized by the Club of Rome's affiliate, the US and London-based Kvasir Society. The agenda addresses the key challenges and opportunities facing humanity, and the influential intellectuals will propose solutions.

Speakers at the event include Anitra Thorhaug (US) (Oceans); Saad Eddin Ibrahim (Egypt) (Civil Society); Dewi Fortuna Anwar (Indonesia) (Conflict); Jan Sadlak (Romania) (Education); Ma Zhengang (China) (International Relations); Elly Sabiiti (Uganda) (Agriculture); Brian Head (Australia) (Public Policy); Raoul Weiler (Belgium) (Information Technology); Markku Wilenius (Germany) (Futures, Risk and Forecasting); Maxmilian Martin (Switzerland) (Philanthropy); Jose Cezar Castanhar (Brazil) (Social Programs and Business); Dr. Maria Cristina Escobar Fritzsche (Chile) (Public Health); Jorge Castro (Argentina) (Economy and Finance); Zhouyin Jin (China) (Innovation).

The Emirates Foundation has ensured that several leading Emirati experts in the field will be in attendance.

Dr Abdulaziz Al Fahim, the Foundation's Senior Executive Advisor for Science & Technology and the Environment, said: "This is one of the most important social and environmental forums in the world this year."

"We felt it was vital to have a presence. Our funding will help UAE environmentalists - and those aspiring to become active in environmental and world issues - to listen, learn and contribute to this essential debate."