On 2 February 2026, Global Social Leaders proudly powered the inaugural SPARK Workshop & Challenge launched as part of SPARK.Dubai 2026, a global education initiative hosted by the Varkey Foundation, at the GEMS School of Research & Innovation (SRI) in Dubai.
We brought together young people from across the GEMS Education network for an inspiring half-day experience of leadership, collaboration and social action.
The SPARK Workshop marked the launch of the SPARK Social Action Challenge, a follow-on challenge inviting students to take forward a small, meaningful action in their own school or community. With light-touch support, resources and check-ins from the Global Social Leaders team, students are now continuing their journey, turning inspiration into action.
STUDENT’S BLOG
Throughout the challenge, we are inviting students to share their journey and progress.
This blog is from a student from GEMS Dubai American Academy. She is raising awareness about conservation and sustainability by publishing helpful tips, resources, and positive messages across school and social media platforms.
The Spark
One of the things that stood out most to me during the SPARK Workshop was how strongly it emphasized creativity, collaboration, and the importance of sharing ideas without fear of being judged.
A moment that stayed with me was the activity where we had to work in groups to brainstorm solutions to problems we cared about and then present our ideas. At first, it seemed like a simple task, but as the discussion continued, I realized how powerful teamwork can be. Everyone in the group had different perspectives, and when we combined our ideas, the final solution was much more creative and thoughtful than anything one person could have come up with alone.
My SPARK Challenge
Since the workshop, my idea has evolved from simply wanting to help people to thinking about practical ways to spread awareness. The workshop made me realize that even small actions, like sharing information or starting discussions, can make a meaningful difference in the community.
I want to share information about conservation and sustainability. By providing helpful tips, positive messages, and resources, I hope to encourage students to speak openly and support each other through social media and school platforms. By posting helpful tips, important information, and resources, I hope to encourage anyone and everyone to take action and do their part.
What I’m learning
So far, I have learned that sustainability and conservation are not only about protecting nature but also about changing our daily habits and thinking more responsibly about how we use resources. Small actions, such as reducing waste, saving water, recycling, and using less plastic, can make a big difference when many people practice them.
One thing that surprised me was how much everyday activities contribute to environmental damage, such as excessive plastic use or wasting electricity and water. I would like to share ideas about conservation through school discussions and promote simple actions like protecting natural resources so that we can help create a healthier environment for the future. 🌱🌍
In One Sentence
The opening to the journey of a life time.
A call to action
Do your part because there are many who wont.
For further information, email: spark.gsl@future-foundations.co.uk
