HEBRON, Tuesday, August 15, 2023 (WAFA) - ActionAid Palestine (AAP) joined international and local organizations for International Youth Day, which falls on the 12th of August each year, stressing the importance of developing the technical, professional, life and green skills of youth to activate their role in building their country and its green economy and strengthening the resilience of Palestinian people.
International Youth Day is a special day recognized by the United Nations General Assembly to bring the attention of the international community to youth issues and celebrate their achievements, potentials, creativity, passion and ability to make change in their societies. This occasion offers a space to listen to the voices and demands of young people and raise awareness about the importance of activating and increasing their political, civil, social, and economic participation.
The theme for International Youth Day 2023 is "Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World” to highlight the important role youth play in facing the climate crisis in a context in which the world is witnessing transition towards a green economy. This transition requires activating the role of young people and building their capacities and green skills to increase their participation in preserving the environment, their economic contribution and saving their planet.
Despite the difficult conditions, Palestinian youth continue to contribute to strengthening the resilience of the Palestinian community and showing their potential and creativity in many areas, including response to natural and political disasters, preservation of the Palestinian land and environment, technological innovations, community leadership and profitable and community entrepreneurship, according to an AAP press release.
“ActionAid Palestine works through its various programs and local and international partners to support Palestinian youth by raising their awareness about their political, economic and social rights and empowering them in many areas, including green skills, to increase their active participation and take the initiative and take actions and measures for transition to green economy and response to the climate change crisis so that they can be empowered to mitigate its impact on the environment and Palestinian society,” it said.
“AAP works on cultivating the skills of young people and provide them with the necessary knowledge of climate issues and environmental awareness and support many green youth initiatives to enhance their leadership roles and help them overcome unemployment and create a sustainable green economy. Supporting these initiatives contributes to building their capacities to find innovative solutions to environmental issues, lead climate action, and organize lobbying and advocacy campaigns to raise awareness of their local community and their peers about adopting environmentally friendly practices.”
ActionAid Palestine's approach to addressing youth issues focuses on implementing specialized leadership, technical, vocational and life training. AAP offers youth the opportunity to participate in forums and conferences at the local and international levels to exchange experiences with their peers around the world and build alliances and networking to support the Palestinian cause and support common youth issues. In this context, AAP established the Youth Humanitarian Action Group to enhance the youth's ability to respond and prepare for disasters, emergencies and new shocks, and to network with international youth groups to raise international awareness about the Palestinian cause.
AAP called upon the institutions of the international community and the United Nations Agencies to practice pressure on Israel to respect the rights of the Palestinian people and to stop violating the rights of all of its, including youth, women and children. ActionAid Palestine also calls for increasing the political participation of youth in decision-making centers in accordance with international resolutions related to the "youth, security and peace" agenda, especially UN Security Council Resolution 2250 highlighting the important and main role of youth in achieving international peace and security, as it urged the governments of world countries to involve young people in decision-making processes, especially in communities suffering from conflicts and armed conflicts.
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