The Programme
We are currently finalising lots of fun, informative, and challenging activities that we hope will immerse you in the spirit of Round Square in Dubai and life beyond the dunes. Here is some more information about what's in store:
OPENING CEREMONY DAY - DHOW CRUISE - DUBAI MARINA
An Evening of Discovery, Elegance, and Skyline Reflections
Following a Conference Opening Ceremony at IHS Dubai during the daytime on 20 September, to mark the beginning of our transformative Round Square journey, in the evening, delegates will set sail from the iconic Dubai Marina Harbour aboard a traditional dhow, a symbol of the region’s maritime heritage reimagined for modern delight.
As the sun dips below the horizon, students will glide along tranquil waters, surrounded by the glittering architecture of Dubai’s skyline. This unique experience invites participants to witness how the city has evolved beyond its desert origins—rising from golden dunes into a global symbol of innovation, culture, and ambition.
Scenic Highlights Along the Cruise:
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Mesmerizing views of Ain Dubai, the world's tallest observation wheel
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The shimmering silhouettes of JBR Towers and Cayan Twist
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A glimpse of the Burj Al Arab in the distance, shining like a sail against the sea
What Awaits Onboard:
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A warm welcome dinner served as the city lights sparkle around
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Opportunities for social interaction and bonding, setting the tone for the days ahead
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Gentle music and open decks to reflect, connect, and celebrate the adventure that’s just begun
This evening blends exploration and elegance—a fitting opening to a conference dedicated to leadership, understanding, and global citizenship. From the heart of the harbor, delegates will experience Dubai’s spirit not just in its grandeur, but in its graceful flow between tradition and future.
SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE DAY
Nature Trail & Trek: Wadi AL Shees, Sharjah - Discovering Landscapes Beyond the Dunes
On Adventure Day, we will be travelling to Sharjah where we will walk a moderately challenging Wadi Mountain Trail. Delegates will take a guided group trek of 1-2 hours, with scenic exploration, and some team building tasks along the way. Nestled amidst the dramatic folds of the Hajar Mountains, Wadi Al Shees offers a breathtaking departure from the golden dunes of Dubai. With its winding trails, terraced farms, and ancient irrigation systems, this hidden gem reveals the lush agricultural life that flourishes in the heart of Sharjah’s natural landscape.
Delegates will embark on a guided nature trail that winds through the rugged charm of wadis, seasonal riverbeds marks that have carved their way through the mountains over centuries. Here, nature tells a story of resilience, with ecosystems that thrive through adaptation and harmony. As you trek past freshwater pools, shaded plantations, and whispering palms, you’ll witness how generations have modified their environment thoughtfully, preserving its essence while cultivating a life rooted in sustainability.
Immersive Adventures Await: Beyond scenic wonder, the trail promises dynamic engagement through:
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Team-building Tasks: Designed to strengthen collaboration, problem-solving, and communication among peers.
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Adventure Bingo: A playful activity that encourages observation, nature awareness, and creative thinking.
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Trail Challenges: Light physical challenges and reflection prompts that make the experience exciting and enriching.
This journey is more than just adventure, it’s a chance to reflect on our place within nature. The terrain will challenge your footing, spark curiosity, and remind you that life extends far beyond city skylines. It invites you to listen, observe, and marvel at the quiet wisdom of the wild. Pack your curiosity, stretch your senses, and step into a landscape that teaches us, how to live with- not against the earth.
NB: Delegates will need to be moderately fit and able to comfortably walk at a moderate pace over uneven track terrain for up to two hours. For those who do not feel up to taking the trail (e.g. those with medical issues or low stamina) there will be less challenging activity options in the park, including Group games, light walking, climbing stairs to enjoy the scene, gentle team-building tasks at the Park.
SPIRIT OF ENVIRONMENTALISM DAY
Climate Fresk Workshop at TMS & Environmental Activities/ Scavenger Hunt at Aventura Park
Our Spirit of Environmentalism Day will be hosted by The Millennium School, Dubai, celebrating climate action, sustainability, and global unity. On arrival at the school, delegates will be split into their Baraza Groups to participate in the Climate Fresk workshop. This engaging, science-based activity helps students understand the complex web of climate change through collaborative exploration and critical discussion.
After lunch, delegates will head to Aventura Park, where they will take part in a range of immersive, outdoor experiences. Divided into groups, delegates will rotate between sustainability activities and a scavenger hunt. The sustainability activities will include preparing a natural pesticide that will be used to promote eco-friendly agricultural practices; creating a collage using sands from different regions of the UAE, highlighting the country’s diverse natural environment; and planting a Ghaf tree, the resilient national tree of the UAE.
Meanwhile, the scavenger hunt will guide delegates through the park’s rich ecosystem, offering a deeper understanding of the UAE’s native flora and fauna through observation and exploration.
Later in the evening, delegates will return to The Millennium School to prepare for a vibrant Cultural Evening, where they will share the music, traditions, and attire of their home countries. This final event of the day will celebrate diversity and togetherness, grounded in a shared commitment to protecting our planet.
SPIRIT OF SERVICE DAY
Community Service with Hello Zindagi at GMA & Seva at the Gurdwara
On Service Day, some Baraza Groups will head to GEMS Modern Academy for a keynote by the famous storyteller, Laksh Maheshwari, on the significance of service and the elements of what constitutes service. Delegates will then split into Baraza group discussions around the theme of service. Finally, they will join a service programme that has been running at GMA for four years, in partnership with Hello Zindagi (Hello Life!), and will create a fun carnival of activities and food, for students visiting from the wider community, who are differently abled/ have special needs.
The other Baraza Groups will go to the Gurdwara - a Sikh House of Worship - for a form of service known as "Seva". There will be a talk by a prominent philanthropist on the concept of Seva, followed by an opportunity to undertake Seva by helping in the community kitchen and serving lunch to the mixed culture visitors on that day. This group will then head over to GEMS Modern Academy to assist with hosting the Hello Zindagi Carnival that has been prepared by the other groups.
Service Day will end with a Souk on campus at GEMS Modern Academy, from which all proceeds will go to Dubai Cares, contributing to the building of a school in Nepal. Delegates are invited to please bring an item to donate for sale in the Souk, and to buy each other's donations at the event. The souk is a tradition in the Middle East where goods are bought, sold and bartered. We hope that by inviting every delegate to bring something small to donate for sale, our souk will enable delegates to buy goods from around the world, whilst raising funds for the charitable organisation Dubai Cares.
CLOSING CEREMONY DAY - WILD WONDERS EXCURSIONS
Exploring the Wild Wonders of the UAE on the last day of the Conference
From sweeping sandscapes to lush coastal wetlands, the UAE reveals an ecological diversity that often goes unseen beneath its urban brilliance. As part of this immersive excursion, delegates will journey through a network of environmentally protected centres, each devoted to preserving the nation’s natural vegetation, wildlife, and marine heritage.
Baraza groups will be assigned to various excursions in clusters. Each excursion will offer a different take on life beyond the dunes, where ecosystems such as mangrove forests, wildlife breeding centres, and marine sanctuaries showcase the resilience and richness of the region’s biodiversity.
Each Baraza Group will experience a different activity, such as:
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Mangrove Walks: Delve into the vital role mangroves play in coastal protection, carbon capture, and supporting aquatic species. Quiet, majestic, and teeming with life.
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Wildlife Breeding Facilities: Witness efforts to rehabilitate and protect endangered species including Arabian gazelles, turtles, and migratory birds.
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Marine Education Centres: Explore coral restoration programs and the delicate balance of marine ecosystems, from seagrass beds to dolphin habitats.
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Cultural Connections: Learn about the UAE’s traditional relationship with nature through guided stories, hands-on conservation activities, and heritage exhibits.
Each centre stands as a tribute to thoughtful stewardship, reminding us that nature need not be conquered but embraced. Students will reflect on how adaptation, innovation, and care can coexist to protect fragile environments.
This journey is about understanding our interconnectedness with the land and sea. It invites young changemakers to look beyond the skyline and dunes to see a world shaped by conservation, heritage, and hope.
Risk Assessment
Please see the latest version of the Risk Assessment. This is due to be updated on 26 August.