| Fizah HAB |
SOME 300 delegates from 24 schools across the Sultanate will debate on sustainable global development at the 14th Borneo Global Issues Conference (BGIC) hosted by International School Brunei (ISB) from today to March 13.
The BGIC will officially be opened today by ISB BGIC’s royal patron, Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman.
ISB hosted a press conference for the 14th ISB BGIC yesterday at the IB workroom on its campus to introduce keynote speakers, Dani Washington and Anna Oposa prior to the opening ceremony today at the International Convention Centre, Berakas.
Anna Oposa is the co-founder and Chief Mermaid of Save Phillipine Seas (SPS).
As the Chief Mermaid of SPS, she leads campaigns and projects on shark conservation and community empowerment.
She has also served as a consultant for the Climate Change Commission, Oceana and the Asian Development Bank, and is one of the founding members of World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Manila Hub, serving as its Vice-Curator (2012-2013) and Curator (2013-2014).
Danni Washington is the first African-American woman to host her own science television. She is passionate about inspiring the next generation to connect and understand the natural world, and has spent the last 10 years finding creative ways to convert her passion for the ocean and science into exciting, high profile initiatives.
She has also served as an on-camera personality with Untamed Science and Ocean Gems, and co-founded the Big Blue and You, which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organisation dedicated to inspiring and educating youth about marine conservation through arts and media.
Also attending the press conference were representatives from Progresif Cellular, Chief Marketing Officer Devin Edwards and Baiduri Bank’s Communications Officer Muiz bin Adnan. Progresif and Baiduri Bank are the main sponsors of the 14th ISB BGIC, for the third year in a row.
“Through Baiduri Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), we help support ISB’s initiative to promote awareness on marine and coastal ecosystem,” Muiz shared during the press conference.
Edwards also shared, “Progresif Cellular, through the CSR strategic initiative that invests in entrepreneurship, education, arts and culture and environment, is honoured to be part of an initiative as well-established as this event. From an environmentalist perspective, Brunei and Borneo as a whole, have a unique opportunity and geography to make an impact on this issue.”
With the theme ‘Life below Water’, this year’s conference will focus on issues such as plastic pollution, coral reef and sea animal conservation. The theme holds a significant importance in Brunei with the need to protect the marine and coastal ecosystem from pollution.
ISB BGIC is an annual student-led model United Nations conference where participants represent various countries, sharing their views on current and real world issues. The four-day conference is an initiative aimed at expanding students’ understanding of global citizenship and improving their public speaking and negotiation skills.