On 29th July 2011 Our First Climate Change Conference was held in the Veritas Study Centre. The workshop was presented By Ms Mona Betour El Zoghbi. Arranged by Veritas & Unitas Residence in association with GCI.
Mona is a PhD student in Sustainable Development and Well-Being, based at the University of Gloucestershire in the UK. Mona is currently in the 2nd year of her research, which is entitled "The Engagement of University Students with Climate Change and Well-Being: A Study of Dutch and South African Students".
The workshop aimed to provide a forum for students have their voices heard and represented concerning their engagement with climate change and sustainability. This session aimed to explore the various features of engagement of South African university students with climate change and well-being, through their own personal experiences and stories.
Prior to her work on this research, Mona studied Environmental Health at the American University of Beirut (AUB), then went on to pursue her Masters Degree in Environmental Sciences from the same university. Mona conducted research into various topics, mainly Healthy Schools, Sustainable Development, Integrated Water Resources Management, Eco Health, Natural Resources Management, and Feasibility Studies for bottled water companies. She also participated in several workshops and events that focused on youth education, awareness, and communication.
A Follow up Workshop was scheduled for September/October to engage students on strategies on how we can view, engage and deal with Climate Change. It aim is to broaden our Paradigms in terms of what aspects of our lives does things like Global warming & Climate change affect and how does this relate to the individual, whether child, youth, adult or the aged, and also how does it effect a student’s staying in Residence of NMMU.