UNDP MALDIVES
YOUTH: CLIMATE HEROES “My generation has failed to respond properly to the dramatic challenge of climate change. This is deeply felt by young people. No wonder they are angry.” Around the globe, young people are sounding the alarm on climate change and environmental issues, but the excessive social, economic and political barriers they face prevent them from taking the wheel. In support of youth-focused and youth-led development, UNDP conducts a variety of programmes that provide young people with a platform to gain the skills and knowledge they need to shine bright. Designed to create a community of young leaders through information sessions, knowledge sharing, activities and fieldtrips, a platform called the Youth Leadership Programme (YLP) guides young people towards becoming agents of change.
“A component that was very interesting to me was our field trip to the mangrove forest. The people were growing fruits and veggies in the nutrient-rich land of the mangroves and exporting it. It really helped me understand the sustainable ways in which mangroves could be utilised to enhance people’s livelihoods.” said Aishath Shuba Minhaj, from the island of Feydhoo in Addu City. “One of the many things I took away from the programme was how to properly communicate with people about topics like littering into the ocean and cutting down trees in the name of development.” Shuba is currently in the initial planning stage of a personal project to tackle ocean plastic. “We get one-third of our oxygen from the ocean. We need to respect it for the sake of our future.”
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