In the confines of my bedroom, during the intense days of the COVID-19 lockdown, I found myself engaged in various discussions. The common denominator? Most were underpinned with the same frustration from young people who felt excluded from the conversation and decision-making process. If they had been more involved, the response and the recovery towards a post-pandemic world would be different and more inclusive, they felt. This led to the creation of a momentum whereby over 2 million global youth voices converged to translate those sentiments into not only a manifesto, but a comprehensive recovery plan that embodied all their hopes and dreams of a better future. Tapping into the collective aspirations of a generation through surveys and dialogues in more than 150 cities and 180 countries became a poignant reflection of our current reality: interconnected, vulnerable, yet resilient.
Seeing how this resulted in much-needed action while presenting these findings during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, I felt compelled to translate the global insights from the plan into a region-specific, inclusive narrative. The challenges facing the Arab world—ranging from rising temperatures to water scarcity—are complex. As such, they require nuanced solutions that reflect each country's diversity, unique circumstances and the aspirations of its respective youth. Using these views as motivation, a groundbreaking research project emerged—the first of its kind in the Arab region. This study aims to capture the distinct perspectives and aspirations of Arab youth in the face of climate change, highlighting the varied experiences across different geographies, including those often overlooked due to conflict.
The “Echoes of Tomorrow” series was born from this research’s results, aiming to amplify the voices of Arab youth and their critical role in climate action. Throughout the series, we have explored their journey from awareness to active leadership, showcasing their innovative solutions and resilience. This final installment seeks to weave these threads into a cohesive strategy, outlining the roadmap that was presented to the Arab League and the respective environment ministers in each member state during COP28. The aim is to leverage these voices and innovative spirit to forge a sustainable future. Just as the Youth Recovery Plan served as a catalyst for global youth advocacy, this research aims to serve as a blueprint for meaningful climate action within Arab League member states. We stand at a crossroads where the decisions we make today will echo through generations, and with the insights and commitment of Arab youth, we are poised to take steps that are not just necessary but transformative.
Empowering the Present: Immediate and Medium-Term Strategies
A structured approach is necessary to effectively harness the potential of Arab youth in addressing climate challenges. This approach not only acknowledges the diversity within the region but also creates tailored solutions to serve its unique needs. As we delve into the short-term recommendations necessary to jumpstart Arab youth's engagement in climate action, it is critical to focus on immediate measures that can lay a robust foundation for their continued involvement and impact. The immediacy of the climate crisis requires that we not only envision but also enact strategies that can quickly mobilize the vast potential of young individuals across the region.
1. Establishing Youth Climate Assemblies:
Firstly, establishing Youth Climate Assemblies is paramount. These assemblies should act as dynamic forums where youth from various parts of the Arab world can come together regularly. The purpose of these assemblies would be multifaceted: to facilitate the exchange of ideas, to foster a culture of innovation and collaboration, and to create a consolidated voice that can influence local, national, and regional policies. Through these structured platforms, young people strive to ensure that they are not isolated in their efforts but are part of a larger, supportive community that values their input and drives collective action. Furthermore, enhancing communication with youth groups is essential. This involves not merely occasional consultations but a sustained dialogue with existing youth organizations and informal groups. Governments and NGOs need to invest in mechanisms that actively listen to and integrate the views and concerns of young people into climate action strategies. This could include regular workshops, feedback/listening sessions, and interactive platforms that disseminate information and gather insights from youth about their expectations and experiences regarding climate initiatives.
2. Advancing climate science research:
Supporting climate researchers in the region is crucial for fostering impactful change. These academic and non-academic researchers require recognition and robust support to advance their work. While many Arab League universities lack specialized climate science programs—a gap that demands long-term attention—providing funding, opportunities for international presentations, and integrating their findings into broader climate action plans can significantly propel their efforts in the short term. This support not only enhances regional and local thought leadership but also addresses the unique mitigation and adaptation challenges faced by our countries. Showcasing their research on international platforms ensures that the Arab world contributes meaningfully to global climate discussions. Collaborative projects involving youth researchers can also bridge the gap between academic research and practical implementation. These initiatives enable young scientists to apply their knowledge in real-world contexts, ensuring that innovative solutions are scientifically grounded and tailored to the region’s specific needs, all while being backed by dedicated funding to advance this specialized knowledge within our regional contexts.
3. Preparing for a green economy through climate education:
In the medium term, our focus shifts to solidifying the initial efforts and extending their impact through educational reforms and skills development. These strategies are designed to sustain Arab youth's engagement in climate action by equipping them with the knowledge and capabilities necessary to effectively address ongoing and future environmental challenges. A crucial aspect of this medium-term strategy is overhauling educational curricula to integrate comprehensive climate change education across all levels of schooling. This initiative would revise existing curricula to include detailed studies on climate science, sustainable practices, and environmental ethics, ensuring that students understand the complexities and interdisciplinary nature of climate issues from a young age. By embedding these studies into the education system, we can cultivate a generation after us that is more acutely aware of these challenges and equipped to address them with innovative solutions.
Moreover, equipping young people with the skills needed for emerging green jobs is essential as the global economy pivots towards sustainability. This shift opens doors to careers in green technologies, sustainable urban planning, and renewable energy solutions. Expanding vocational training programs and higher education courses in these areas prepare the upcoming generation for success in a green economy. The potential is vast; according to the International Labour Organization, the MENA region could create 10 million new jobs by 2050 through decarbonization and green industrial growth. Aligning educational initiatives with market demands ensures that young people enter the workforce ready to tackle the challenges of a sustainable future, driving both economic growth and environmental resilience.
However, these educational reforms and skills development initiatives require collaboration between educational institutions, government agencies, civil society, and industry leaders. We can bridge the gap between climate education and employment by ensuring that educational programs are comprehensive, current, and aligned with the labor market. This will empower youth and ensure that the region has a ready and capable workforce to tackle its unique challenges.
Building Enduring Solutions: A Long-Term Approach
As far as long-term strategies are concerned, the focus broadens to ensure the sustainability and systemic integration of youth-led climate action within regional and national frameworks. This involves creating enduring structures and policies that support and empower young individuals to continue their advocacy and efforts in addressing climate challenges for decades to come.
1. Standardized climate education policies:
One significant long-term initiative is developing and implementing comprehensive national climate education and upskilling policies. These policies would ensure a standardized approach to climate education across all capacity-building institutions, fostering a uniformly well-informed generation of future leaders. Such policies would be supported by adequate resources and funding to ensure that every student, regardless of their geographical or socioeconomic status, receives quality education on climate issues. This approach would solidify the groundwork laid by earlier educational and capacity-related reforms, ensuring that knowledge about climate change is widespread and deeply integrated into each country’s educational fabric.
2. Developing climate language tools:
Additionally, creating an extensive Arabic climate lexicon is essential for breaking down barriers to information and ensuring that discussions about climate change are accessible to the wider Arab population. The lexicon project would include technical terms, key concepts, and commonly used climate-related phrases in both written and spoken formats. This initiative would empower educated youth, community leaders, policymakers, and the general public by democratizing access to climate knowledge. It would facilitate broader understanding and engagement with climate issues, enabling effective participation in global forums, negotiations, and advocacy roles using their native language that allows for better expression and community involvement.
3. Investing in solution-oriented research:
Finally, prioritizing research and development (R&D) in climate science within the Arab region is crucial. Governments and the private sector should allocate significant budgets to support local research institutions and initiatives, fostering the development of solutions tailored to the region’s unique environmental, social, and economic characteristics. Supporting R&D means elevating the work of local scientists, integrating their findings into national and regional climate strategies, and promoting cross-border collaboration to tackle shared environmental challenges. With a current emphasis on innovation overshadowing scientific research in the region, prioritizing R&D becomes even more critical for sustainable progress.
A Call to Action: Blueprint for a Greener Tomorrow
As we bring the “Echoes of Tomorrow” series to a close, it is evident that the passion, innovation, and commitment displayed by Arab youth are not just hopeful signs of potential but are indeed the very engines driving the climate action necessary for a sustainable future. Throughout this series, we have journeyed together through the stages of awareness, mobilization, and leadership that characterize the young generation’s response to the environmental crises affecting their region and the world.
The roadmap laid out in this final article of the series—from immediate initiatives to long-term strategies—forms a comprehensive blueprint for harnessing the energy and capabilities of Arab youth in the fight against climate change. It emphasizes the critical roles that structured policy interventions, educational reforms, and systemic support play in cultivating an environment where young voices are heard and leading the charge.
By implementing these short-term strategies, we can quickly mobilize resources to equip Arab youth with essential tools and platforms, empowering them to become active participants in climate dialogue and action. These measures amplify their voices and set the stage for deeper involvement in medium- and long-term initiatives. As we nurture their initial engagement, we transform their passion for environmental issues into sustainable practices, fostering a lifelong commitment to climate leadership.
The medium and long-term strategies aim to ensure that Arab youth sustain and lead climate action, addressing ongoing challenges posed by climate change. By prioritizing education, skill development, and research, we create a foundation of empowered young leaders who are prepared to forge a resilient future. Together, these efforts will make climate resilience and sustainable development tangible realities for the Arab world, supported by a new generation ready to lead the way.
This series concludes with a call to all stakeholders—government bodies, educational institutions, civil society representatives, private sector entities, and international organizations—to commit to actionable and impactful support for Arab youth. The insights and recommendations provided are a testament to the critical engagement of these young individuals with the climate crisis, urging us to back their initiatives with the resources and recognition they deserve. Let us move forward with a shared commitment to empower the next generation of environmental leaders, ensuring that the echo of their efforts today resounds into a sustainable and thriving tomorrow.
