'Youth for Climate Action' initiative enhances environmental leadership skills in Jordan

AMMAN — The Youth for Climate Action initiative was launched on Wednesday to enhance the skills of young specialists, prepare future leaders, and utilise specialised opportunities within the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE Nexus), supported by the Dutch embassy.

This initiative, arising from the recommendations of the Second National Water Harvesting Policy Dialogue held in November, comprises 15 young individuals and environmental activists from various governorates of the Kingdom, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Chairman of the Inter-Islamic Network on Water Resources Development and Management (INWRDAM) and President of the Higher Council for Science and Technology Mashhour Rifai attended the launching ceremony and commended the role of creative youth in research and innovation, emphasising their capacity to effect positive change. 

Rifai referred to various investment opportunities to transform youth's initiatives into national success stories.

He announced the council's adoption of the concept of a national information bank that can serve as a comprehensive database for all sectors in the Kingdom. 

Marwan Raqqad, the network’s executive director, outlined plans for the initiative's year-long development, leading to the establishment of a youth council with the support of INWRDAM. 

He also said that the Water, Food, Energy, and Environment Practitioners Community, founded within INWRDAM, includes capacity-building activities for the youth, to be featured in the agenda of the high-level meeting of Islamic countries in the Red Sea region scheduled for mid-January in Amman.

Discussions and proposals from young environmental activists focused on formulating a comprehensive plan to enhance their capabilities in environmental negotiations and active participation in regional and international events.