Environmental crises disrupt schooling through infrastructure damage and displacement, driving up dropout rates. Education counters this by teaching climate literacy and "green skills," turning schools into hubs for community resilience and sustainable action.
14 speakers
Noelle Mahuvi
passionate advocate for youth empowerment, education, and community transformation
passionate advocate for youth empowerment, education, and community transformation. She believes that every young person has untapped potential waiting to be discovered and nurtured, and she has dedicated her career to creating platforms and opportunities that bring out the best in them. Through her work, Noelle combines her deep understanding of education, entrepreneurship, and creative innovation to design programs that equip students with the skills, confidence, and mindset needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Driven by a vision of a future where young people are not only dreamers but also doers, Noelle has been at the forefront of initiatives that inspire curiosity, innovation, and resilience. Her passion for mentorship and guidance stems from a deep belief in the power of human potential. With a heart for service and a mind for strategy, Noelle Mahuvi inspires those around her to embrace learning, creativity, and leadership. Her unwavering commitment to youth and community development continues to drive her mission of turning dreams into action and potential into impact
Dr Lawrence Sanga
— MOEST
Shaibu Mandova Athumani
National Coordinator — Aga Khan Foundation Tanzania
Shaibu Mandova Athumani is the National Coordinator for the Schools2030 project implemented by Aga Khan Foundation Tanzania, with over 17 years of experience spanning public school teaching, project management, and community engagement. Throughout his career, he has driven impactful educational access, collaborating with local communities to establish satellite preschools in remote villages across southern Tanzania. In addition to contributing to the nationwide rollout of a whole-school approach, he has successfully implemented localised reading programs under the Strengthening Education Systems in East Africa initiative by the Aga Khan Foundation.
Emmanuel Sulle
Assistant Professor and Director — Aga Khan University’s Arusha Climate and Environmental Research Centre
Emmanuel Sulle is an Assistant Professor and Director of the Aga Khan University’s Arusha Climate and Environmental Research Centre in Tanzania. He is a leading scholar in African agrarian studies and a contributor to the Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa. He holds a PhD in Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies from the University of the Western Cape (South Africa) and a Master’s degree in Public Policy, specializing in Environmental Policy, from the University of Maryland (USA). His academic achievements include awards such as the Harvard University Doctoral Student Fellowship and the CODESRIA Doctoral Grant. Sulle currently holds a Global Faculty position at the University of Cologne (Germany), serves as an Adjunct Professor at Simon Fraser University (Canada), and is a Research Fellow at the University of the Western Cape. Before joining AKU, he worked at the University of the Western Cape, where he led multidisciplinary research teams on complex projects across Eastern, Southern, Western, and Northern Africa. These include large-scale studies on women’s land rights in seven countries and development corridors in four countries in Eastern and Southern Africa. His current research focuses on climate change, sustainable agriculture and food systems, policy analysis, the green economy, biodiversity, land tenure, and agrarian transformation in Africa
Carolyne Bella Mlewa
Head of Programmes — Aga Khan Foundation Tanzania
Carolyne Bella Mlewa is the Head of Programmes at Aga Khan Foundation Tanzania, with over 18 years of experience leading development initiatives across education, climate resilience, agriculture, health, nutrition, and livelihoods. She holds a Master of Business Administration in Corporate Management and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences and Management, complemented by executive leadership training from UONGOZI Institute and Aalto University Executive Education.Throughout her career, Carolyne has successfully led multi-million-dollar programmes funded by international partners including the European Union, USAID, WFP, AGRA, Global Affairs Canada, and the Ireland Embassy. Her work focuses on strengthening education systems, advancing climate-smart and regenerative approaches, promoting gender equality, and fostering evidence-based solutions through research and learning.As a development leader, Carolyne is passionate about connecting research, policy, and practice to drive sustainable impact. She has contributed to strategic policy development, stakeholder engagement, and innovative programming that improves learning outcomes, builds climate resilience, and creates opportunities for vulnerable communities across Tanzania. She brings a unique perspective on how education, climate action, and research can work together to shape inclusive and sustainable development.
Onesmo Samwel
educator and climatologist — Mnara School
Onesmo Samwel is a dedicated educator and climatologist at Mnara School, known for his innovative teaching methods. A passionate regenerative gardener, he promotes eco-friendly agricultural practices. By training aspiring teachers and conducting workshops, he empowers communities to understand and address climate issues, making a significant impact on environmental education and conservation through his holistic approach to learning.
Dr Agnes G. Kapinga
Lecturer — Tengeru Institute of Community Development TICD
Dr Agnes G. Kapinga is a Lecturer at the Tengeru Institute of Community Development (TICD), Tanzania, specialising in environmental management, climate resilience, and sustainable development. She holds a B.Sc. in Environmental Science and Management, an M.Sc. in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics, and a PhD in Environmental Management. She has extensive experience in academia, research, consultancy, government, and international development organisations, including ActionAid, IUCN, UNEP, and Cambridge Education Ltd. She is currently serving as a Climate Change Consultant for the Shule Bora Project, implemented by Mott MacDonald, where she supports integrating climate change considerations into the education sector, with a particular focus on climate-resilient schools and evidence-based educational planning. Her research interests include climate change adaptation, urban resilience, nature-based solutions, human–environment interactions, and community-centred approaches to sustainable development. She brings both academic and practical perspectives on the intersection of climate, environment, and education, emphasising the role of education in building resilient and sustainable communities.
Dr. Wachira Nicholas
Dean for Teaching and Learning — Aga Khan University Institute
Associate Dean for Teaching and Learning at the Aga Khan University Institute for Educational Development, East Africa (AKU-IED), where he leads initiatives focused on curriculum innovation, teacher education, educational leadership, and evidence-informed educational transformation. His work increasingly focuses on the intersection of climate change, education, and sustainable development, with particular interest in how education systems can build resilience, advance climate justice, and prepare learners for sustainable futures. He has been involved in the WeCOLLABO initiative, which promotes collaborative knowledge creation and community-based approaches to addressing climate and environmental issues. He has also contributed to the Co-CREATE project, supporting participatory and co-creative approaches that position learners, teachers, and communities as active contributors to policy on sustainable development and climate-responsive solutions. Dr. Nicholas has supported the design and delivery of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) initiatives and professional learning programmes that strengthen educators' capacity to integrate sustainability principles into teaching and learning. His work has further explored the integration of environmental literacy and sustainability competencies within school curricula, teacher education, and community engagement programmes, with a focus on fostering learner agency, critical thinking, and action for environmental stewardship.
Benjamin Oganga
Deputy Team Leader — Shule Bora program
an educator and accomplished public sector administrator with over 1o years of experience in education systems. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Education) with Honours from the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and a Master of Education in International Education from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA. Throughout his career, Benjamin has worked extensively with both local and central government authorities in Tanzania, as well as with national and international development partners. His expertise spans program design, education policy and planning, and monitoring and evaluation. Benjamin currently serves as the Deputy Team Leader for the Shule Bora program, a flagship education initiative funded by FCDO and implemented by Cambridge Education in Tanzania. Prior to this role, he led the program’s systems strengthening component. His previous positions include Assistant Director for Primary Education, Assistant Director for Secondary Education, and Assistant Regional Administrative Secretary (Regional Education Officer) under the President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government.
Dr. Imelda Gervas
Lecturer at SUA — Sokoine University of Agriculture
Tanzanian educator with a PhD in Educational Quality Management. She currently teaches at Sokoine University of Agriculture, where she has been inspiring and mentoring students for several years.She has extensive experience working in various departments of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST), contributing to the enhancement of educational standards, policy development, and teacher professional development programs. In addition, she has been actively involved with MoEST in assessing | Dr. Imelda Gervas is a Tanzanian educator with a PhD in Educational Quality Management. She currently teaches at Sokoine University of Agriculture, where she has been inspiring and mentoring students for several years. She has extensive experience working in various departments of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST), contributing to the enhancement of educational standards, policy development, and teacher professional development programs. In addition, she has been actively involved with MoEST in assessing the vulnerability, preparedness, and recovery capacity of the education sector in response to the impacts of climate change, supporting efforts to strengthen resilience and sustainability in educational systems. Dr. Gervas has also taught in secondary schools and teacher training colleges, playing a significant role in preparing and mentoring future educators. Beyond her academic and professional work, she is passionate about writing children's books that educate and inspire young readers. She is the author of the book Children and Agroforestry, which encourages pastoralist children to embrace agroforestry practices as a means of conserving nature, improving environmental sustainability, and mitigating the effects of climate change. Through her writings, she promotes self-awareness, critical thinking, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility among children. She is deeply committed to improving the quality of education in Tanzania, particularly in rural and underserved communities. She enjoys collaborating across diverse fields and is enthusiastic about exploring new knowledge, research, and innovative approaches that contribute to educational development, environmental conservation, and social transformation
Dr. Shelina Nawaz Walli
Chief Executive Officer — Aga Khan Education Service
the Chief Executive Officer of the Aga Khan Education Service, Tanzania, bringing over 20 years of leadership experience in education, management, and institutional development. She is recognized for her strategic vision, entrepreneurial mindset, and deep understanding of international education trends and curricula. As CEO, Dr. Walli has led significant organizational growth by strengthening educational systems, enhancing operational effectiveness, and promoting a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement. Her leadership has expanded access to quality education and driven meaningful outcomes for students and educators across Tanzania. A dynamic and results-oriented leader, Dr. Walli has successfully guided the development of education policies, strategic initiatives, and capacity-building programs that support both institutional excellence and learner success. She is passionate about empowering teams, cultivating leadership, and advancing equitable, high-quality education as a catalyst for social progress.
Halima Tagalile
Speaker — Aga Khan Foundation
dedicated educator with a bachelor’s degree in education, specialising in Kiswahili and History. She has ten years of teaching experience, currently working at Kijichi Secondary School in Temeke Municipal. She integrates elements of History and Kiswahili instruction through innovative teaching methods that promote environmental awareness. Through the Human-Centred Design program with the Aga Khan Foundation, Halima has developed advanced student engagement skills. She incorporates climate education into her lessons using practical, hands-on tools such as micro-forests and vegetation pots, empowering students to better understand and address climate change in real-world contexts.
