Marking the third consecutive year that Vienna International School has been invited to this world-renowned event, our students joined global changemakers and peacemakers to explore innovative solutions to the world's most pressing environmental challenges.
The summit provided an educational and motivating experience, encouraging our young people to reflect on the roles they can play in driving positive global change.
Inspiring Speeches and Global Perspectives
The event featured a powerful lineup of international speakers, including former US Vice President Kamala Harris and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Guided by moderator Matt Iseman, the summit brought together entrepreneurs, scientists, activists, and business leaders, offering students a unique perspective on how visionary ideas can be transformed into impactful action.
Throughout the presentations, students gained first-hand insights into environmental policies, climate action initiatives, and cutting-edge startups working toward a sustainable future.
One standout example was presented by CEO sisters Alex and Karen Chave. Their jewelry company, Incador, demonstrated true circular economy principles by extracting and recycling gold from discarded technology to create high-end jewelry. Hearing these diverse viewpoints gave students a much deeper understanding of how individuals, businesses, and governments can collaboratively address environmental issues.
Connecting the Summit to the Classroom
The themes of sustainability and climate action explored during the summit linked directly to the Grade 11 curriculum, reinforcing concepts studied in Geography, Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS), Economics, Design Technology, and Biology.
We are incredibly proud of our Grade 11 students for engaging so thoughtfully with these critical global issues and representing VIS so exceptionally well on the world stage.