Nouhad’s passion for the planet took root in Beirut, where childhood picnics by the sea turned into lessons about caring for the Earth. As a teen, she rallied friends for beach cleanups and tree-planting days. By her mid-20s, she’d launched the Lebanese chapter of the Arab Youth Climate Movement, inspiring kids to transform trash into art or build solar panels from everyday materials. With degrees in Environmental Health and Environmental Sciences from the American University of Beirut, plus training from schools like Duke University (USA) she’s brought her ideas to UN Climate Conferences from Paris to Dubai, always with a spark of optimism.

Through Greenpeace MENA and Ummah for Earth, Nouhad ties her Muslim faith to environmental action. She’s created guides for eco-friendly Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages, encouraging travelers to cut waste. During Ramadan, she pushes for reusable plates and plant-based meals, proving small steps matter. Her global map of climate stories, gathering ideas from activists worldwide, connects communities for a shared cause, making her session’s focus on collaborative sustainability a natural fit.

According to Saiful Umam PhD, UIII’s director of research and partnerships, the Jakarta human fraternity conference brings together a diverse group of thinkers. In Session 1, Valerina Martano, Heidi Kuhn, and Emily Bojovic explore building fraternity across borders. Session 2, with Dr. Fernand de Varennes, Dr. Omar Ashour, and Professor Azza Karam, dives into rights and social justice. Session 3, featuring Prof. Farish Noor, Dr. Cherian George, and Prof. Komaruddin Hidayat, tackles media’s role in fighting misinformation and fostering unity. “UIII is keenly interested in promoting a green campus and it has developed relevant programs such as MPP in Climate Change at the Faculty of Social Sciences (FOSS), and MA in Sustainable Finance at the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB),” says Prof. Jamhari, the Rector of UIII.

“Nouhad’s Session 4 stands alongside these, offering practical ways to address environmental crises through collective effort,” says Ridwan al-Makassary, PhD, the convenor of the conference.

Inspired by the 1955 Bandung Conference’s spirit of solidarity, the event creates space for these voices to inspire action.

Nouhad’s journey—from Beirut’s shores to Jakarta’s stage—shows how personal commitment fuels global change. Her session, paired with the conference’s rich discussions, is a chance to see how we can all pitch in for a greener planet. []