It has been said that when a passionate group of individuals get together for a common cause, they can change the world. For the Students for Environmental Justice at Florida Gulf Coast University, that’s just the plan. The Registered Student Organization devotes its time and effort to promoting environmental sustainability in the FGCU community and beyond. SEJ works to uproot environmental justice through taking action and educating others on what they can do to make a positive change in the place they live. From Jan. 18 to 20, SEJ is sponsoring a summit that is expected to benefi t students of all majors, organizations and interests. FGCU was selected through an online vote to host the fi fth annual Florida Youth for Environment Sustainability Summit (FL YES). This is the fi rst time FGCU will be hosting an event like this, and coordinators of the summit are excited for the attention it will bring the university.
SEJ President Uzair Iqbal said students can expect to take a lot away from the summit whether they are interested in environmental justice or not. “Students will take part in environmental justice and leadership development workshops. The skills learned from the summit could be applied to any majors, skill levels, student organizations or jobs.”
The FL YES summit will involve workshops for anti-oppression, starting sustainability campaigns on campus and tours of the nationally known energy company Algenol along with FGCU’s own Food Forest.
In addition, students can expect to meet experts in the energy fi eld working at FGCU, speakers from all over the U.S. and enjoy nutritious locally grown food. There is no cost to attend the summit and it is open to any student. For more information on registration, students can contact Uzair Iqbal at [email protected].