Event Rationale and Objectives: A Blueprint for Shared Responsibility

As outlined in the event's Concept Note, the initiative stemmed from a profound recognition: the environment is the bridge between human progress and future generations' well-being. Unsustainable practices—exacerbated by climate vulnerabilities and inequities—threaten ecosystems and human dignity alike. Co-organized by Human-Thrive and the Centre for Support of Women in Unpaid and Informal Employment, Nigeria, the event positioned environmental stewardship as an economic driver and social equalizer.

Key objectives included:

• Highlighting how blue (marine resources) and green (renewables, circular systems, sustainable agriculture) economies can generate decent jobs and reduce poverty.
• Elevating voices from women in informal sectors, youth innovators, and marginalized communities to inform sustainability strategies.
• Fostering cross-sectoral partnerships to advance practical solutions.
• Inspiring commitments that view environmental action as an investment in peace, prosperity, and equity.

The thematic focus emphasized environmental stewardship as the foundation of human flourishing, with spotlights on job creation, women's empowerment, youth guardianship, and multi-stakeholder alliances. The format blended opening statements, keynote reflections, panel dialogues, innovation showcases, and actionable recommendations, creating a dynamic space for dialogue.

Voices of Change: Insights from Esteemed Speakers

The event featured a diverse lineup of speakers, each bringing unique expertise to the table. Their contributions, drawn from real-world experiences and visionary frameworks, underscored the interconnectedness of social development and environmental protection.

• Adebusuyi Olutayo Olumadewa, Founder & CEO, DoTheDream YDI (Nigeria): Opening the session, Olumadewa introduced the Guardians of Environment project as a transformative platform. "It enables humanity to connect to the environment," he stated, emphasizing intergenerational collaboration. He urged older generations to share experiences while empowering youth to innovate against climate challenges. Highlighting opportunities in blue and green economies, he noted: "It is creating enormous jobs... tapping into value chains that can create multiple jobs for millions globally." His vision positioned guardianship as stewardship, giving voice to women, indigenous peoples, and youth to bridge gaps in sustainability.

• Claudia Hopman, CEO, Global Women Leadership Foundation (Netherlands): Speaking from the Summit in Qatar, Hopman focused on Women as Guardians of Sustainability: From Informal Work to Green Leadership. She stressed the Foundation's mission to increase women's leadership and renew gender collaboration, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). "Investing in women and girls is the biggest investment we can do in the world," she declared, citing UN General Assembly President Anna-Lena's emphasis on this potential—surpassing even the value of global oil and gas. Hopman called for bold decisions, global networking, and ethical innovation, urging: "Let us lead with compassion, courage, and together... A better world is built by choice."

• Joshua T. Berglan, CEO, The World's Mayor & Vice President of Growth and Development, DoTheDream YDI: Berglan's address on Inner Stewardship: Connecting Human Potential to Environmental Guardianship was a passionate plea for reconnection. "Our planetary crisis isn't solely about policy failures... It's a crisis of relationship," he argued, citing alarming statistics: 2024 as the warmest year on record, wildlife populations down 73% since 1970, and air pollution claiming 8.1 million lives annually. Advocating for "inner stewardship" through values, identity, and eco-empathy, he drew from indigenous wisdom and youth empowerment at DoTheDream. "Awaken the guardian within," he urged, promoting mindful consumption, community dialogues, and storytelling over divisive opinions. Berglan envisioned technology as a tool for unity, not distraction, to heal planetary wounds.

• Arti Ahluwalia, Country Chair, India, ECOCIVILISATION: Ahluwalia explored Environmental Stewardship as Social Development: From Awareness to Action , critiquing institutional designs that derail dreams of peace and balance. Introducing ECOCIVILISATION—a model pairing women leaders with male counterparts for balanced governance—she shared her INFUSE framework (Infrastructure, Food Systems, Energy Technologies, Waste Management, Water Leadership, Well-being, Security). "We are stardust with some electrical charge," she reflected, decrying humanity's detachment from nature. Advocating "nature reverence" over mere sustainability, Ahluwalia called for systemic change: "The hierarchy has to shift... We need to question each other." She highlighted women's underrepresentation in science (one in 10 in leadership) and proposed a "zebra economy" where profit equals purpose.

• Kefas Longshak, CTO, Concord App & AI Engineer, SEMAFORM Foundation (representing Chaste Inegbedion, Head of Failure & Social Experiments): Longshak's talk on Harnessing AI to Empower Guardians of Environment positioned technology as nature's ally. "AI helps us see hidden patterns in nature," he explained, citing examples like Google's flood forecasting (protecting millions across 80 countries) and AI drones halting illegal logging in the Amazon. Emphasizing ethics and inclusion, he warned: "Technology alone cannot save our planet—people can." Longshak advocated empowering farmers, scientists, and youth with AI tools for crop prediction, reforestation, and waste removal, ensuring accessibility for developing nations. "Let us use technology not to dominate nature, but to understand it," he concluded.

Interactive Dialogue: Probing Digger into Stewardship and Action

The session transitioned into an engaging Q&A, moderated by Oluyinka, where speakers addressed intersectionality's role in empowering women, unlocking human potential, and harnessing AI for guardianship. Ahluwalia critiqued private sector structures, advocating merit-based inclusion and restructuring for equity. Berglan called for a "fundamental reorientation of human consciousness," urging presence over distraction and truth-sharing via. Longshak emphasized accountability in technology to prevent exploitation.

Discussions highlighted challenges like population collapse, unresolved traumas in leadership, and divisive agendas, while proposing solutions: media literacy, youth empowerment, and collaborative models inspired by transnational cooperation.

Outcomes and Path Forward: From Dialogue to Policy

The event culminated in a joint call-to-action, emphasizing environmental guardianship as integral to social development. Plans include publishing a comprehensive report from the Qatar Summit and side events, forming working groups for global agendas, and leveraging DoTheDream YDI's recent accreditation to the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations. Olumadewa affirmed: "This is an ongoing conversation until we come up with value chains that shape our world."

Expected outcomes align with the Concept Note: enhanced awareness of blue/green economies for job creation, strengthened alliances, and amplified voices of youth and women. By framing sustainability as an investment in human dignity, the event inspires a shift toward ethical innovation, intersectional empowerment, and collective responsibility.

A Call to Awaken the Guardians Within

In an era where climate change amplifies social injustices—disproportionately affecting the vulnerable—this side event serves as a beacon. As Berglan poignantly stated, "This crisis is the ultimate call for connection." By connecting posterity to sustainability, Guardians of Environment challenges us to act decisively: invest in women, empower youth, harness AI ethically, and restructure systems for nature reverence. The future demands not just survival, but thriving societies where no one—and nothing—is left behind.

For more information or to join ongoing initiatives, contact DoTheDream YDI at info@dothedreamydi.org or visit www.dothedreamydi.org. Together, let's build the bridge to a just, equitable world.