Youth Stand Up for Environmental Reform
Young people in the southern city of Toura want the municipality to take their concerns seriously, and they are taking a stand on environmental issues to make their voices heard.
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| A young man questions the Toura municipal council about efforts to clean up the city.
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To get municipal leaders' attention, 50 youths from the Toura Youth Club participated in a cleanup campaign. First, the youths distributed brochures throughout the community to raise awareness of environmental problems and risks. Then they set up waste containers and picked up trash in several neighborhoods to promote a healthy environment.
Following the cleanup activities, a group of the club's members met with the municipal council for an open discussion on environmental issues facing the town. Leaders in the region have rarely made an effort to listen to youth concerns, so the meeting was an important breakthrough.
Club members urged the municipality to establish a solid waste treatment plant to help dispose of garbage. They also requested information about initiating a recycling program and offered to help with environmental plans and initiatives. "We have the capacity to help the municipality. We realize the needs of our village, and this is our opportunity to raise these needs to the council," said 23-year-old Hassan Hajj.
Responding positively to the youths' suggestions, Toura's deputy mayor said, "The municipality alone—without the collaboration of local residents—is not able to achieve the change. I encourage each one of you to write your ideas down and present it to us. The doors of the municipality are open to all of you, and your suggestions…are always welcome."
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"This is an opportunity to show youth capacities to local residents as well as to people living in neighboring villages. There are many gaps in our village that youth can fill. We can play a role on the environmental level as well as on the recreational level. Youth should unite to fill this gap."
—Hussein Dheini, 18
a Toura Youth Club member
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Residents acknowledged the youths' efforts throughout the day, and many joined them in the cleanup campaign, demonstrating a broad interest in improving the community.
Toura Youth Club members are looking forward to follow-on activities that will provide training in communication and negotiation skills. They are also working to connect with other local NGOs and municipalities and develop linkages to facilitate collaboration on important regional issues.
With support from USAID's Office of Transition Initiatives, Toura's youth are becoming leaders in their community.
For further information, please contact:
Marialice Ariens, Program Manager, 202-712-4031, mariens@usaid.gov
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