In conversation with Jasmine Mansoor of Projection House LLC on thriving together by building a holistic and sustainable future for ourselves, our people, and our planet.

As the global conversation around sustainability grows amid serious environmental challenges, one question lingers: how can we create a sustainable future where our planet and its people thrive? AV Today spoke with Jasmine Mansoor, general manager at Projection House LLC, a leading AV system integrator and solutions provider in Dubai, for over 20 years. A passionate advocate for sustainability and a lifelong learner, Jasmine champions a holistic approach to sustainability, encompassing both industry and human sustainability practices.

But what is human sustainability? Simply put, it recognizes people as not just resources but vital contributors to organizational success, emphasizing the importance of health and well-being for individuals and communities. Join us as Jasmine shares the simple yet impactful ways she and her team are making our world a more sustainable place, one initiative at a time.

Small steps, big impact

“I believe we can create a better future for everyone by working together,” Jasmine emphasizes as we discuss Projection House’s Theory of Human Sustainability at the workplace. She defines sustainability as “today for tomorrow,” highlighting the growing awareness of environmental issues and pointing to advancements like eco-friendly packaging, minimized product bulk, AV digitization with automatic shutdown modes, and energy-efficient sensor lights.

“It all began at a year-end party in December 2022,” she says when reusable glass water bottles were gifted to the team. This initiative sparked ‘Hydration Month’ in January, marking the start of a year-round campaign that she and her team continue to drive with zeal every year. With a goal of cultivating healthy habits and a culture of sustainability, she describes the campaign as “a series of monthly initiatives that align with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).” Pointing to the ‘Circle of Sustainability’ wall in their office, Jasmine and her team walk us through their holistic approach that encourages eco-friendly and human sustainability practices, such as using glass bottles to reduce plastic waste, taking water breaks, and community impact efforts. “We’ve received a lot of encouragement and support from our management, including Managing Director John Simento and CEO Jamal Sabri of the Almoe Group,” she adds.

Jasmine passionately applauds her team, saying, “I have always advocated for sustainability, and I believe our collective efforts are the reason for our success; they are my constant source of strength and motivation.” What do her team members think? Farzana, Sandesh, Priya, Gafoor, and Deepa share that while they were initially hesitant, Jasmine’s passion inspired them: “These small initiatives gradually became ingrained habits, evolving into a lifestyle.”

12 months – 12 habits: The ‘Circle of Sustainability’ drive

January	Water break: Stay hydrated Glass water bottles and a digital alarm for employees to drink water every 2 hours, promoting hydration and reducing carbon footprint. [This theme supports SDGs 3, 6, 8, 11, and 16]
February	Eye break: Blink & love your eyes Considering 80% of our perceptions rely on sight, the initiative raised eye health awareness with 3-minute daily breaks to reduce eye strain. [This theme supports SDGs 3, and 9]
March	Giving for a cause Acts of kindness and employee donations of one Dirham per day toward the Suqia Water Aid Foundation. [This theme supports SDGs 1,2,10,11, and 17]
April	Community connection A visit to an old-age home during Ramadan to enhance community connection and employee emergency preparedness through CPR training. [This theme supports SDGs 1, 2, 3, 4, 10, and 11 and aligns with the National Agenda Pillar of 2030.]
May	Unleash the potential of investment Encouraging employee saving by investing a day’s salary monthly. [This theme supports SDGs 1,3,4,8, 9, 10, 11, and 17]
June	News shorts and highlights Motivating employees to keep up with breaking news and world headlines. [This theme supports SDGs 4,8, and 16]
July	My health, my priority banking Embracing self-love and well-being by adopting a healthy lifestyle. [This theme supports SDGs 3,5, 8, 9, 11, and 16]
August	Excellence is not a skill, it’s an attitude Promoting skills swapping and learning new technologies to enhance team cross-learning and skill development. [This theme supports SDGs 7, 9, 12, and 17]
September	Breed the goodness, the stories left untold Celebrate diverse perspectives by amplifying unheard voices to foster empathy, understanding, and unity. [This theme supports SDGs 8, 9, 11, 12, and 16]
October	Plant a tree & gift a plant Encourage employees to plant and gift one tree – a simple act that combats global warming and promotes sustainable development. [This theme supports SDGs 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 17]
November	Bring life to happiness emoji A month to turn happiness into reality beyond emojis through community service like breast cancer awareness and blood donation drives. [This theme supports SDGs 4, 11, and 16]
December	We can see heaven on earth By practicing these habits, we create a sustainable workplace and contribute to a brighter future. [This theme supports SDGs 9,12, 13, and 15]

Jasmine explains that Projection House’s Sustainability Theory emphasizes the impact of small collective actions. For example, highlighting the alarming rate of deforestation (noting that 15 billion trees are lost annually of a total of 3 trillion); she proposes a simple solution: if 40% of the world’s population, approximately 3.2 billion people, planted and gifted just one tree a year, the total number of replanted trees would double to 6.4 billion. When combined with natural regeneration, this large-scale replanting effort can positively influence the water cycle, affecting evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.

Taking sustainability to schools

“At Projection House, we serve diverse clients across sectors, such as corporate, banking, retail, government and ministries, and, importantly, education. We are now extending our human sustainability campaign to UAE schools, educating children about its importance,” says Jasmine. This initiative includes the ‘Sustainability Theory for Kids,’ a children’s book that simplifies concepts; for example, using the term ‘financial education’ instead of ‘investment initiative.’ Like the workplace drive, this drive addresses one SDG monthly, raising awareness and empowering the next generation to become environmentally conscious.

Change starts small

With this year’s drive, “I AM the CHANGE – A Year of Sustainable Community Living,” already underway, Jasmine hopes more organizations will adopt a holistic approach to sustainability. “The more we learn about sustainability in AV and its value, the better we understand our clients’ needs. It’s not just about what we do; it’s about cultivating a mindset of integrity and innovation. A balanced approach to sustainability shows that AV is not just a product but a byproduct of interconnected parameters.”

On another note, she adds, “Life is unpredictable; there are no guarantees. This uncertainty reminds us to approach situations with gratitude, resilience, and a positive mindset, so it’s important to cultivate mutual understanding, think critically, and act practically to create a sustainable future for ourselves and the world around us.”

Jasmine concludes with a powerful message: “By implementing positive workplace habits and making small, consistent choices, we create a collective impact on sustainability. When I make good choices for myself and the environment, others are inspired to do the same.”