SHARJAH: The 8th edition of the Xposure International Photography Festival, organised by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), will host environmental activist Junior Hekurari, leader of the Yanomami tribe in the Amazon, during the “Conservation Summit” as part of the festival’s events. This edition will run from February 28 to March 5 at the Expo Centre Sharjah.
The Conservation Summit will highlight the extraordinary efforts made by Junior Hekurari as a leading example of those who have made an impact in environmental protection. Right from his youth, he joined activists advocating for the protection of the Amazon, serving as the president of the Yanomami Association and the Local Health Council for Indigenous Suburban Populations. He has fought against deforestation due to illegal gold mining and its disastrous effects on the environment and indigenous people in the Alto Alegre, Roraima region (northern Brazil).
The Conservation Summit at Xposure 2024 will feature 15 speakers, including renowned ph
otographers and conservationists, who will lead discussions and presentations on pressing environmental issues. Among them are Charlie Hamilton James, Florian Schulz, Kathy Moran, Beth Wald, Kiliii Yuyan, Sandesh Kadur, Melody Mnisi, Karabo Magakane, Rifumo Mathebula, and Mike Kendrick.
Alya Al Suwaidi, Director of SGMB, affirmed the commitment of Xposure to organising the “Conservation Summit,” which includes a number of events, exhibitions, and discussion sessions aimed at promoting environmentally friendly practices and raising awareness of environmental issues. This commitment aligns with the United Arab Emirates’ efforts to support the environment and reflects its vision for sustainability.
The SGMB Director stressed that hosting an elite group of photographers, experts, seasoned professionals, environmental activists, and conservation advocates on a unified platform facilitates the exchange of knowledge and experiences. This collaboration plays a crucial role in broadcasting a compelling environmental
ethos to a global audience, thereby amplifying the impact of their conservation message.
The top experts and photographers participating in the Conservation Summit, taking place on February 29 within the festival’s events, will present their environmentally supportive propositions through their experiences in photography. They will highlight the beauty of protected areas that have been documented through their lenses to enhance global efforts and actions aimed at raising awareness for environmental preservation.
To be part of this impactful journey towards a sustainable future, where photography serves as a catalyst for change and environmental protection, visit https://xposure.net/events/conservation-summit-24-opening/.
Source: Emirates News Agency
