A passionate young man creating a greener, healthier and protected planet
Meet UNICEF Sudan’s Youth Advocate Monzir Mohammed
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Each day, while trying to get to school, 18-year-old Monzir Mohammed, and his friends used to suffer while waiting for transport in Damazine in Blue Nile State, Sudan. One day, he thought of building his own vehicle to drive him and his peers to school as a solution. This is how the inspiration began, and his dream came true; he built an environmentally friendly vehicle!
The car quickly attracted the attention of many local industrial companies and they are currently looking for ways of collaboration with Monzir and his “Future Generations” organization.
“Challenges can be the first gate to creativity and innovation” said Monzir. “Solar energy Is important to help us protect the environment from air pollution. Supporting solar power projects will increase youth innovation and creativity and will provide more job opportunities for youth.”
The young climate and environmental activist founded Future Generations with a group of like-minded and passionate youth with a collective goal to positively change their country and future. Monzir and his team are from internally displaced and conflict-affected communities. However, his vision for what he and others like him can accomplish, knows no bounds.
UNICEF Sudan selected Monzir to be its Youth Advocate for climate and innovation, alongside other youth advocates focusing on various areas such as education, child rights, people with disabilities and girl’s empowerment.
Future Generations started its journey with the first solar-powered car in Sudan, made locally with local materials. Noticing the positive impact, they were inspired to create more innovative solutions to help prevent the spread of covid-19. In addition, they manufactured a solar-powered motorcycle for people with a handicap and made soaps from Riyhan (Sudanese lavender) plants that are found in almost every Sudanese house.
UNICEF and partners provide adolescents like Monzir with skills training: not just technical skills, but also important soft skills: tolerance, teamwork, creativity and confidence. Moreover, youth groups like Future Generations give young people not only a platform to practice and develop their skills, but also a space to share ideas and discuss the challenges they face and possible solutions to these hurdles.
“As UNICEF Youth Advocate, I will take the responsibility to support youth and advocate for their rights. This role is important to help us get the best out of them. Youth have the right to speak up, be leaders in their communities, participate and find solutions for the issues they’re facing in their lives,” said Monzir.
If I were Prime Minister, the first decision I will make is to establish training centers for youth and adolescents to train them on creative skills, as I believe this would help to improve the economy of Sudan. I will also select Sudanese youth aged between 18-20 years and send them to developed countries, to gain knowledge and be trained on various skills, and when they come back they will contribute to local industry and will also train other Sudanese youth.
“Our main goal is to end harmful practices to ensure a healthier environment for all of us and come up with new innovations that the next generations can benefit from” said Monzir.
When Monzir was asked about his future plans and what his first decision would be if he were to become Prime, his passion for calling for developing and investing in young people was evident.
“If I were Prime Minister, the first decision I will make is to establish training centers for youth and adolescents to train them on creative skills, as I believe this would help to improve the economy of Sudan.” He said. “I will also select Sudanese youth aged between 18-20 years and send them to developed countries, to gain knowledge and be trained on various skills, and when they come back they will contribute to local industry and will also train other Sudanese youth.”
Monzir is quite confident that one day, he will expand his work not only across all Sudan states, but also globally.
Many thanks to the government and people of Norway for the endless support!
