Join us for the first plenary of the 2016 Skoll World Forum! This year’s theme, Fierce Compassion, will explore how effective change agents simultaneously embrace the dual, often opposing qualities of deep distress—over an unjust status quo—and deep compassion for those suffering from poverty, conflict, and injustice.
Our opening plenary at New Theatre begins at 1:45 pm and doors open at 1:15 pm. Seating is general admission.
MASTER OF CEREMONIES
Stephan Chambers, Chairman of the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship, University of Oxford
WELCOME
Jeff Skoll, Chairman, Jeff Skoll Group, Skoll Foundation, Skoll Global Threats Fund, Participant Media, and Capricorn Investment Group
TIDES OF CHANGE: REFLECTIONS ON THE AMBITION COALITION
Selina Leem, IB Diploma Program Student, UWC Robert Bosch College; Citizen of the Marshall Islands
Selina will focus our attention on how climate change is affecting not only the Marshall Islands, but also the world. She will speak about the effects that climate change is having on her culture and way of life, and how we can change the story of our world by trying to reduce the effects of Climate Change.
PERSPECTIVES ON RESILIENCE
Annie Griffiths, Executive Director, Ripple Effect Images
Annie Griffiths was one of the first women photographers to work for National Geographic. She has covered women's issues on six continents, and her work has also been featured in LIFE, Geo, Smithsonian, Time, Stern, and many other publications. Annie will focus our attention on the victims of Climate Change - women and girls - and the resilient ways they are already handling the challenge.
A MILESTONE FOR HUMANITY AND VISION FOR THE FUTURE
Mary Robinson, President, Mary Robinson Foundation – Climate Justice; Former President of Ireland and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Mary Robinson speaks about the historic accord reached in Paris during COP21, the likely challenges, and how governments, corporations, and the social can partner effective to ensure success.
A CLIMATE OF CHANGE: FUELING A NEW FUTURE
Al Gore, Former Vice President of the United States and Chairman of The Climate Reality Project
Al Gore joins us to discuss the ongoing challenges posed by global warming pollution and solutions to the climate crisis. Gore spends the majority of his time as chairman of The Climate Reality Project, a non-profit organization he founded that is focused on solutions for the global climate crisis. Gore was inaugurated as the 45th Vice President of the United States on January 20, 1993, and served eight years. He is the author of the bestsellers Earth in the Balance, An Inconvenient Truth, The Assault on Reason, Our Choice: A Plan to Solve the Climate Crisis, and most recently, The Future: Six Drivers of Global Change. He is the subject of an Oscar-winning documentary and is the co-recipient, with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for "informing the world of the dangers posed by climate change.
MUSICAL PERFORMANCE
Malek Jandali, Syrian-American Composer & Pianist
A German born, Syrian-American composer and pianist, Malek is known for compositions that integrate Middle-Eastern modes into Western classical forms and harmony. His compositions have been performed by numerous leading orchestras such as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, The Stockholm Solister, the Russian Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Cairo Symphony Orchestra. His most recent album "Syrian Symphony" was released in January at Carnegie Hall.
