Meet Zeina ElZein, an assistant professor of architecture from Helwan University in Cairo, Egypt. She teaches sustainable development and urban design and belongs to the UN-Habitat Youth Advisory Board which shapes strategies for sustainable urban growth while promoting youth participation. Dr. ElZein urges her university and students to implement eco-friendly architectural design and incorporate water, energy, and food concerns into urban planning to promote sustainable development of future cities.
“In teaching architecture and urban design studios, I always integrate challenges such as water, energy and food security to make sure future graduates are able to address global challenges in their designs of buildings and cities” says Dr. ElZein.
As a conference delegate, I collaborated with colleagues from Morocco, Egypt and Zambia to fashion youth mobilization and energy transitions for the east African nation of Rwanda. We used our backgrounds in sustainable architecture and environmental economics and health to shape proposals. Through policy recommendations, I addressed key challenges facing Rwandan youth such as limited educational access, insufficient financing, and poor representation of women and youth.
Traveling to Morocco was a monumental step for me to learn about countries in Africa that are more impacted by climate change than the United States. I’ve attended conferences centered in the US, but leaving North America was eye-opening. I knew I would gain valuable insights by leaving my home country and comfort zone. The Youth Sustainable Development Conference’s purpose was to bring together youth, problem solve, imagine a different future, and create those sustainable, resilient futures as one force across the world.
The Moroccan conference provided a deeper understanding of the needs of African countries and their youths’ uphill struggle to fund climate initiatives in Africa. Fatou Jeng, a UN climate advisor and youth founder of Clean Earth Gambia, a non-profit focused on environmental awareness for Gambian communities, reported that only 1.2 percent of youth climate initiatives in Africa receive support. And African nations aren’t the only ones facing difficulties. According to the Youth Climate Justice Study, larger foundations funded only 0.76 percent of climate grants for youth projects in the United States during 2019 to 2021. A Ghanaian delegate said grants are so restrictive for African youth groups that they frequently are unable to receive funding.
In the Youth Policy panel, Fatou Jeng explained that young people have to continuously prove competencies which impedes contributions. To avoid tokenization of youth, she suggested government officials consult more closely with youth and establish capacity-building venues and initiatives. To further support and engage youth, we need a youth quota system for leadership positions.
At first, hearing about the lack of confidence and funding for youth discouraged me. But, as I listened to more sessions, I learned that these African youth participants are determined to make a difference and use their skills to elevate their countries. In conference pitch sessions, youth entrepreneurs promoted their ideas for “Recycling Organic Waste into Fertilizer Using Biotech” and providing affordable and climate-friendly water treatment solutions. As H.R.H. Princess Dr. h.c. Abze Djigma pointed out, Africans need to consider themselves as “solution providers instead of receivers.” Princess Djigma, who is from the West African country Burkina Faso and represents the Mossi people, has been a longstanding women and youth advocate for developing countries through the H.R.H. Princess Abze Djigma Foundation.
Throughout two days of listening to sessions and presenting my group’s case study on Rwanda, I met UNESCO and UN experts, founders of climate organizations, climate policy analysts, and international environmental lawyers. It became clear to me these advocates will lead us toward just and equitable transitions.
Moroccan climate advocate Hatim Aznague reminded me that climate literacy must be accompanied by understanding of political, social, and economic forces that shape environmental issues. If we can globally fund, support, and train youth as problem solvers, we can make our voices heard. It’s our future earth after all.
