DePaul community members Howard Rosing (left), director of DePaul’s Irwin W. Steans Center, Hiba Zakai (middle), a PhD student in the College of Education, Ashanti Simmons (second from right), a 2024 graduate from the School of Applied Diplomacy, and John Zeigler, director of the Egan Office (right), stand with Tariq Karim (second from left), Consul General of Pakistan in Chicago, at the Consul General of Pakistan office in Chicago's Loop. (Photo by Keeton Holder/DePaul University)
DePaul community members and a delegation from Pakistan did a walking tour of Chicago’s Devon neighborhood, a popular spot for Chicago’s large South Asian population. (Photo courtesy of Hiba Zakai)
Hiba Zakai (middle) and John Zeigler (third from left) at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan. (Photo courtesy of Hiba Zakai)
Zeigler and Zakai traveled to Islamabad, Pakistan in May. (Photo courtesy of Hiba Zakai)
DePaul community members and a delegation from Pakistan stand in front of the Chicago Loop building which houses the Consul General of Pakistan. (Photo by Keeton Holder/DePaul University)
Zeigler and Zakai in Pakistan (Photo courtesy of Hiba Zakai)
In 2022, Pakistan experienced catastrophic flooding, which submerged one third of the country, killed nearly 1,800 people and affected over 30 million. Pakistan emits less than 1% of global greenhouse gases, but the country of 240 million is one of the world's most at-risk for climate change.
A multi-year memorandum of understanding between DePaul and the School of Leadership Foundation of Islamabad aims to raise awareness about the effect climate change has on Pakistan. Funded by the U.S. Embassy, the “Green Urban Development" program will also support young Pakistani students working on green initiatives so they can exchange insights with American peers on how to advance sustainable urban development.
"A simple act like coming together in dialogue can make one realize that the issues are the same across East and West," says Hiba Zakai, a PhD student in the College of Education.
Hailing from the Middle East, Zakai taught in Pakistan for five years. She has been essential in fostering the effort, which aims to build positive relationships and an educational pipeline for U.S. and Pakistani citizens.
"It is critical that we share knowledge of how to address climate change and issues related to urban waste, food systems, energy and transportation, water management and green infrastructure development," says Howard Rosing, director of DePaul's The Irwin W. St eans Center. "There is an enormous amount of knowledge and creative ideas emerging across the planet, and it's through engagements like Green Urban Development that we teach and learn from each other."
DePaul has already taken action to move the project forward. John Zeigler, director of the Egan Office, traveled with Zakai to Pakistan in May to observe best practices in sustainable urban development. They explored opportunities for international collaboration on water conservation and waste management, met with college students from COMSATS and Quaid-i-Azam universities and visited Islamabad's cultural and historical heritage sites. They also appeared on local Pakistani TV to discuss the collaboration.
"I'm a relationships guy. I don't think you can get things done in communities you are trying to serve without building relationships," Zeigler says. "Visiting Pakistan allowed me to learn about their culture, their needs, the assets they already have. I was able to put myself in their shoes and find commonalities between the communities we serve in Chicago and communities in Pakistan."
In return, a group of 16 students, faculty, organizers and journalists from Pakistan traveled to Chicago in July to collaborate with the Steans Center and Egan Office. They visited government facilities and NGOs to exchange insights on how to advance sustainable urban development in Pakistan and find opportunities for international collaboration on water conservation, sustainable waste management and green infrastructure.
The delegation toured the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, Grow Greater Englewood, Go Green Community Fresh Market in Englewood, The Talking Farm, The Plant and Bubbly Dynamics and the Consul General of Pakistan Chicago. They even enjoyed a walking tour of Chicago's Devon neighborhood, a popular spot for Chicago's large South Asian population.
"In our travel, we've come to learn that students, faculty and community members are all thinking of solutions. They all want to contribute to society on topics like environmental issues," Zakai says.
Mariyam Irfan is managing director of the School of Leadership Foundation in Islamabad and has worked with Rosing, Zeigler and Zakai to plan and implement the program and the pair of trips.
"These experiences have underscored that while our socioeconomic conditions and cultural contexts may vary, our shared humanity and collective passion for addressing global challenges unite us," Irfan says. "I've been struck by how we all share a deep commitment to solving complex problems through collaborative research and innovation, transcending borders and differences. This program has shown me the value of these exchanges in building bridges, challenging preconceptions and contributing to a more interconnected and compassionate world."
During the 2023-24 academic year, five DePaul faculty members gave virtual lectures to Pakistani students. Participating faculty included Hugh Bartling, an associate professor in the School of Public Service; Winifred Curran, a professor of geography and GIS; Liam Heneghan, a professor of environmental science and studies; Joseph Schwieterman, a professor in the School of Public Service; and Rosing, who in addition to his role with the Steans Center, is also a faculty member in geography, sustainable urban development and community psychology.
Faculty lectured on topics such as eco-innovation for transitioning to sustainable urban water management, green infrastructure and eco-enterprises, using waste as a resource and green infrastructure and eco-enterprises.
"We will look to continue ways of connecting faculty and students from DePaul to their counterparts at the partnering universities in Pakistan," Rosing says. "Now that we have built close relationships, we can now connect virtually and take advantage of technology to work on urban sustainability issues remotely, educating students, supporting research and engaging communities — everything DePaul does well."
Russell Dorn is a senior manager of media relations in University Communications.