Edward Williamson-Smit (He/Him)

Producer / Film Director, Here Now Films
Maria Helena Saari

Postdoctoral Research Fellow , University of Oulu

I am an environmental educator and Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Oulu (Finland), specializing in ecojustice education, human-wildlife coexistence, multispecies governance, and transformative approaches to biodiversity education. My work bridges education, animal law, and environmental diplomacy, with a focus on the legal, pedagogical, and cultural shifts needed to foster peaceable coexistence between humans and other species. I work on reimagining multilateral governance by integrating Rights of Nature frameworks into diplomacy simulations, including Model United Nations frameworks, co-designed participatorily with teachers, students, researchers and rangers. I have extensive experience building meaningful and sustainable international cross-sectoral partnerships and currently co-lead the multispecies education work package in the MUST: Enabling Multispecies Transitions in Cities and Regions research project and serve as Principal Investigator and Co-lead of an International Strategic Partnership with the University of Namibia, focusing on human-animal coexistence in the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA). I also lead the development of an online biodiversity education course as part of the UniPID GLOBUS (Virtual Studies for Global Sustainable Development in Southern African Collaboration).  I co-coordinates teacher education on multispecies environmental education and have led diverse international research initiatives, including in Portugal, Finland, and Namibia.  I am also Founder and Director of Wilberhouse, an environmental education organization rooted in multicultural storytelling and community engagement.
Suhail Bashir

Environmental Consultant, WildHub Community Advocate, ENS Environmnetal Consultancy Sharjah

Experienced Environmental Engineer/Consultant with a proven track record of leading successful environmental initiatives and delivering sustainable solutions. My expertise encompasses a diverse range of areas, including Baseline Studies, Environment Impact Assessments (EIA/IEE/ESIA), Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, and Environmental Conservation & Sustainability. Currently, I am making a significant impact as an Environmental Engineer/Consultant at one of the leading Environmental Consultancy, specializing in preparing comprehensive environmental study reports for clients primarily from Hamriyah Free Zone Sharjah and Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority Dubai. These reports play a crucial role in promoting environmental compliance and sustainable practices within the industry.