Press Release, 16 May 2022
Over 100 young people between 18 and 35 will be travelling to Jordan from 35 countries to attend the first ever Global Land Forum Youth (GLFY).
The event, co-organised by the International Land Coalition (ILC), SEEDS Jordan, the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, and the Ministry of Youth in Jordan, will take place over two and half days (21-23 May) at the Ajloun Forest Reserve.
The event is organised under the umbrella of the Global Land Forum - 23-26 May 2022 - a triennial event that brings together ILC members, partners and the broader land community to advance understanding of the complex linkages between land and climate, food systems, inequality and democracy - and to plan joint actions towards people-centred land governance.
Across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, young people account for roughly 30 percent of the overall population, while Jordan boasts one of the youngest populations in the world, with those under 30 making up more than 70% of its population. An important segment of society whose voice and demands cannot be ignored.
Over three days and through a variety of activities, participants will have the chance to build a roadmap on how young people can lead the way towards a more peaceful and sustainable world, where they are able to live a dignified life both in urban and rural areas.
“Today’s youth are incredibly educated, and the young women and men are invaluable assets that no country can afford to waste. They bring to the job market their energy, talent and creativity together with cutting-edge skills and the motivation that enable companies to grow, innovate and prosper,” said Ra’ed Gharib from national NGO and co-organiser, SEEDS Jordan.
The current climate crisis will be one of the underlying themes of the event and participants will also have the chance to discuss how innovation and traditional knowledge can both play a central role in climate change adaptation and mitigation.
“With everything that’s happening in the world, we need to take food security and environmental challenges seriously…I’m very excited to be participating in the first ever Global Land Forum Youth and look forward to meeting fellow land activists from all over the world, listening to their stories and experiences while sharing my own. “ Rahaf Rifai, GLFY Ambassador from Palestine says.
On the last day, a Youth Declaration will be drafted, drawing a concrete roadmap towards collective youth action. The Declaration will be officially presented at the Global Land Forum on the 23rd of May.
“I would like to make my voice heard to the decision makers who will be at the GLF, to tell them that no one should decide on behalf of young people, because what is done for us, without us, is almost always against us”, says Mamadou Diop, one of the GLFY Ambassadors, from CNCR, an ILC member organisation from Senegal.
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