I think one of the biggest highlights is just the opportunity to really connect, network, and have great conversations with other amazing young people from all around the world ”
In November 2023, the Student Energy Summit (SES) took place in the United Arab Emirates, hosted by New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD). Under the theme Reimagining the Future, 600+ students from 130 countries gathered in Abu Dhabi at the margins of COP28. The closing ceremony was hosted in Dubai as an official side event of COP28.
Due to COVID-19, in 2021 Student Energy transformed our flagship biennial event into an entirely virtual summit open to all. Energize: 1 Day Student Energy Summit utilized a mix of digital platforms and curated content to create a uniquely impactful virtual learning and connecting experience while bringing back all the best parts of our Student Energy Summits.
SES 2019 took place from July 17-20 at Imperial College in London, UK, bringing together 650 students from 98 countries. SES 2019 was the 6th and largest International Student Energy Summit yet. The Summit’s theme was ‘Breaking Barriers’, recognizing that communities face different challenges, yet all have the collective goal of transitioning to a sustainable energy system.
SES 2017 took place in Mérida, Mexico hosted by Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (National Autonomous University of Mexico) from June 13th to 18th, 2017, bringing together 600 students from 85 countries. The Summit’s theme was ‘Releasing Potential’. Sessions were designed to engage with the potential of regions and of young people to transform the future and transition the world to a sustainable energy future.
SES 2015 took place June 10th to 13th in Bali, Indonesia hosted by the Bandung Institute of Technology. The summit’s theme was “Connecting the Unconnected” highlighting the energy interconnections world and the need for new perspectives on energy issues. Speakers included Sri Mulyani (Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer, World Bank), His Excellency Abdul Gayoom (Former President of Maldives), and Dr. Noeleen Heyzer (Former Under Secretary General of the United Nations). 437 students from 75 countries attended.
SES 2013 took place in Trondheim, Norway hosted by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. The theme was “The Edge of Energy” and featured Connie Hedegaard (EU Climate Commissioner), Richard Jones (Deputy ED International Energy Agency), and Hans Blix (International Atomic Energy Agency) as keynote speakers. 612 students attended from 64 countries.
SES 2011 took place in Vancouver, Canada hosted by the University of British Columbia Sustainability Initiative. The summit’s theme was “The Evolving Energy Ecosystem”. Keynote speakers included: Dr. Rajendra Pachauri (former Chair of the IPCC and Nobel Prize Winner), Marc Jaccard (Climate Scientist), and Peter Mansbridge (CBC Anchor). 391 students attended from 31 countries.
SES 2009 took place in Calgary, Canada hosted by the University of Calgary. The summit’s theme was “Fueling the Future of Energy” and featured Jeremy Rifkin (Author and World Economist), Vicente Fox (Former President of Mexico), David Keith (Geoengineer and Climate Scientist), and Alec Steffern (Founder of WorldChanging.org) as keynote speakers. 312 students attended from 32 different countries.
