APN | Amman

16 December 2024

APN was invited to participate in a panel discussion, "Arab Youth and Climate Justice: Echoes of Climate Action in Jordan", at the “Echoes of CoP29 in Jordan: Insights on Climate Action and the "Fund Our Future" Campaign” conference organized by ActionAid Arab Region and Drabzeen Human Development.

Lisa Shahin, APN Advocacy and Research Officer, emphasized that young people’s involvement must move beyond symbolic gestures or executional roles into meaningful partnerships where their input shapes strategies, policies, and actions.

Shahin pointed out that youth participation often falls short of addressing local and regional priorities. She criticized the execution of donor-driven projects that sometimes contradict the real needs of the Arab region, as well as the tendency of global forums to sideline youth voices in discussions about urgent issues, such as the environmental impacts of occupation and colonialism. Using CoP29 as an example, Shahin highlighted the lack of a unified position on pressing concerns, including the ongoing genocide and ecocide in Gaza.

In her recommendations, Shahin urged Arab youth to use their platforms strategically, advocating for true priorities. She stressed that this advocacy should not occur in isolation but through integrated efforts alongside other generations, underpinned by strong institutional frameworks.