News - Northern Arizona University
Near East and North Africa Regional Meeting Builds Capacity of the GLOBE Community
The Near East and North Africa (NENA) Regional Meeting was held
in Abu Dhabi, 13–16 November 2024, and was attended by 36 participants
representing seven countries from the region: Jordan, Egypt, Oman,
Bahrain, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait. This was the inaugural
regional meeting of the NENA region and welcomed students, educators,
country coordinators, and representatives from the international GLOBE
community, including trainers and members of the GLOBE Implementation
Office (GIO) and Regional Coordination Office (RCO).
Highlights
Meeting Opening
Ms. Salma Al-Zoubi, the Near East and North Africa regional coordinator, delivered the opening remarks, warmly welcoming participants and laying the groundwork for the collaborative discussions and training sessions. The GIO's Ms. Becky Boger provided an overview of new developments and tasks introduced by the new administration, emphasizing outreach efforts and the strategic direction of the GLOBE program. Mr. Ed O’Brien from the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi expressed his enthusiasm for attending the meeting and highlighted the Embassy's commitment to supporting the GLOBE program in the UAE.
This session reinforced the value of regional and international cooperation and reaffirmed the commitment to advancing the GLOBE program’s mission of scientific education and environmental stewardship.
Success Stories
Three teachers shared their compelling success stories, showcasing the transformative impact of joining the GLOBE program. They highlighted how the program had positively influenced:
- Their professional development, including enhanced teaching skills and knowledge in environmental science.
- Their personal growth, with increased confidence and a deeper connection to their students and communities.
- Their social lives and family dynamics, demonstrating how participation in GLOBE fostered broader opportunities and support networks.
These stories inspired participants by illustrating the profound and multifaceted benefits of engaging with the GLOBE program.
Website Developments and Dialogue
Cornell Lewis and Eslam Khair delivered a detailed explanation of the latest developments on the GLOBE website. They discussed user roles and tasks, fostering an interactive dialogue to address specific technical and operational needs. Khair provided valuable technical support, ensuring participants understood how to leverage the website effectively.
Training and Meetings for Participants
Country Coordinators
Country coordinators attended a 3-day project management training designed to enhance their ability to manage international educational programs. The coordinators shared achievements in implementing the GLOBE program across their respective countries and presented future plans for the academic year 2024-2025.
Educators and Students
Candidate trainers who were previously trained
as educators were now certified as trainers with a focus on GLOBE
protocols including Atmosphere, Hydrology, and Water Cycle, and on
data entry.
Trainers included Becky Boger (GIO), Eslam Khair (GIO), and Nahed Alajlouni and Ghadir Khaddadeh (NENA region).
Participating students engaged with an innovative research-driven learning approach, connecting GLOBE protocols to classroom materials. They developed concept maps to bridge GLOBE activities with educational curricula, guided by Salma Al-Zoubi. As follow-up to this meeting, they will participate in weekly Zoom sessions through 2024–25 with the goal to produce a booklet highlighting the integration of GLOBE protocols into their curricula.
Regional Coordinators Evaluation Session
The RCO team evaluated the plans of country coordinators, emphasizing the creation of tracking sheets for progress monitoring, incorporation of professional project management training skills into plans, and regular milestone-based updates.
Conclusion
The NENA Regional Meeting achieved its goals of strengthening the capacity of coordinators, teachers, and students while fostering regional collaboration and innovation within the GLOBE program.
Photos courtesy of NENA RCO team.