Awards

Bernard Combes supports UNESCO’s activities on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). He coordinates the implementation of the ESD for 2030 priority action areas on Accelerating sustainable solutions at local level and on Empowering and mobilizing youth through capacity and partnership building to foster local networks and platforms for learning and multi-stakeholder collaboration to better integrate ESD programmes and perspectives into inter-generational dialogues, communities’ planning and decision-making processes. He is also the Education Sector focal point for biodiversity & for ocean and UNESCO focal point for the Earth Charter, and among other things, works to reinforce cooperation with other agencies and stakeholders in regard to Communication, Education and Public Awareness in the areas of biodiversity, water, oceans, cities and sustainable lifestyles, as well as on issues related to human rights and environment. This has focused on providing technical advice and support for capacity building activities, and developing learning, teaching and awareness raising materials, in cooperation with UNESCO Associated Schools, UNESCO Chairs, other UNESCO sectors (notably Natural Sciences, Communication, Culture and World Heritage), other agencies (notably UNEP, UNU, CDB, FAO) and stakeholders (such as IUCN, WWF, IOC, youth groups, media and private sector).

François Isak Smit, is currently reading towards his Doctorate in Education, holds a Master of the Arts in Arts Management form the Salzburg University Business School in Austria and he studied towards a BA in Contemporary German Literature and Dutch Philology at the Freie Universität Berlin. He has been on the Executive Committee of the Southern African Communications Association (a professional body that represents academics from southern Africa working in communications and related fields) since 2015 and hosted the annual SACOMM conference in 2023. Currently, François is the Head of Postgraduate Studies at AFDA - The School for the Creative Economy, Johannesburg where he teaches postgraduate students (Honours and Masters) in the fileds of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance.

Ananyakorn Poolsilapa, an environmental science graduate, is on a mission to flourish in a sustainable world. She's a firm believer in the transformative power of science to bring about positive global change. Ananyakorn seamlessly integrates her scientific passion with the art of effective communication across diverse mediums. Her lifestyle is simple: Love for the world, love for water, and an avid enjoyment of films! Ananyakorn is Program Assistant for the Changing Climate, Changing Lives (CCCL) Film Festival, which aims to raise awareness about climate change through the power of short films. CCCL provides a platform for filmmakers, artists and communities in Thailand and Asia to tell stories of climate change impacts, resilience, inspiration and innovation. CCCL supports young filmmakers and artists through filmmaking grants, mentorship programs, film and art distribution, talks and workshops on climate filmmaking and visual storytelling all year round.

Shar Thae Hoy is a YSEALI Spring 2022 Environmental Issues alumna who is passionate about climate action, activism, and nature conservation in order to achieve the goal of a healthy environment for intergenerational equity. Recent activities include participating as a Climate and Cultural Activist to promote traditional knowledge and sustainable living of indigenous people and marginalized communities. Aside from academics, she was involved in a variety of extracurricular interests; the Youth Task Force at the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (UNDER) and the implementation of PeatLand-related projects as part of the ASEAN Youth Climate Leadership Program.

Francis Boafo Asamoah is a wildlife ecologist and conservationist with expertise in Species and Habitat Ecology, Urban Ecology, Conservation Biology, Ecosystem restoration and Wildlife and human Interactions. He is an SDG 15 advocate, biodiversity communications enthusiast, and life volunteer. Francis is the communications officer for the IUCN SCC Amphibian Specialist Group and the Head of the UNCBD Sub Commission at the International Forestry Students Association. His recent research focuses on aves, amphibians, mammals, and invertebrates. He is also interested in Range Management and Ecological Economics.