In Mafraq, young people call for greater investments in sustainable waste management systems
Meet two Youth Climate Leaders with the UNICEF-supported Sawn programme
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“The idea of our initiative came while observing the compiling trash in our area and how it affects both public health and nature’s beauty,” explains Majd, 26, a Youth Climate Leader with the UNICEF-supported Sawn programme.
Waste management impacts communities’ health, the environment and socio-economic development, making it a persistent public concern. “Waste is not only a health or aesthetic issue,” Majd continues. “It also has a direct link to climate change. This is why we need stronger and more sustainable recycling systems to eventually help reduce carbon emissions and help limit global warming.”
The National Waste Management Strategy (2020 – 2025) describes how the waste situation in Jordan is a key priority green growth agenda that presents both environmental challenges and socioeconomic opportunities. Currently, Jordan produces an average of 3 million tonnes of municipal solid waste each year, while the recycling rate stands at only 7%.
The UNICEF-supported Sawn programme equips young people with knowledge, tools and skills they need to engage in both local and global climate advocacy and action.
To draw attention to the waste situation, Majd organized young people to come together and paint murals in a local centre in their governorate. The message behind the paintings, she says, is directed at everyone: “The responsibility is shared. Official authorities, the private sector, and citizens all have a critical role to play in this environmental equation.”
As a Youth Climate Leader, Majd trained other youth in her community on the concepts she learned through the programme. Besides sharing her climate-related knowledge with them, she always adds an inspirational message to her peers: “We have the power to create a better reality, one step at a time. If not now, when?”
“The great thing about sawn is not only learning so much about the climate, but how it also helps us create opportunities for action.”
UNICEF is grateful for the Government of Ireland through Irish Aid and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) for supporting the Sawn programme - a partnership between the Ministry of Youth, the Ministry of Environment and UNICEF that is implemented by Generations for Peace.
