UN Day: UNIC Manama mobilises youth to achieve the SDGs

Speaking at the Sustainability Week organised by Gulf University, the UNIC Manama Director Ahmed Ben Lassoued reflected on the urgent need to revive the 2030 Agenda, emphasising the outcomes of the recent Summit of the Future, held in UN Headquarters last September.

He highlighted the critical importance of reconsidering SDG financing and accelerating climate action, stressing the necessity of peace and conflict resolution to enable resource allocation for sustainable development.

Ben Lassoued underscored the vital role of universities in driving change, stating that they are instrumental in creating innovative solutions, mobilising support, and forming future leaders, innovators, and activists dedicated to building a more sustainable world. 

Similarly, Ben Lassoued stressed the importance of refocusing on the SDGs during the International Day Symposium hosted on 24 October by AI Hekma International School (AHIS) to mark United Nations Day.

 "The world is not on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially at the level of combating poverty, hunger, climate change, and inequality," he told the students, motivating them to create a better, more sustainable future and become global leaders who inspire positive change.

The event was designed to educate students and inspire them as the next generation of leaders and advocates for sustainable development and unity. 

Participants collaborated on various topics throughout the day, sharing ideas and strategies to address global challenges. The discussions highlighted the significance of partnerships and cooperation in achieving the SDGs, emphasizing that collective efforts are essential for lasting change.

UNIC Manama conducted a session on how to write effective press releases, guiding students as they collaborated to draft a statement covering the International Day event. 

Finally, UNIC Manama participated on 25 October in a Model United Nations Conference organised by the Rotaract Club of Muharraq, titled "Youth Leadership: Paving the Path to Sustainability,". 

Participants from various schools came together to explore topics related to the United Nations and its goals, collaborating to outline innovative solutions to today's most pressing issues. The conference emphasised youth's critical role in shaping a more sustainable future, encouraging delegates to think creatively and work collectively to address global challenges. 

Ben Lassoued particularly emphasised the role of youth in achieving the SDGs, stating, "Youth is in the midst of many of the major crises we are facing today: hunger, poverty, war, and climate change but you are also at the forefront of the solutions," he said, highlighting UN initiatives to engage youth in creating a brighter, sustainable future, where no one is left behind, including the Let#YouthLead campaign that was implemented in the lead-up to the Summit of the Future. 

Throughout the event, the participants gained a first-hand understanding of how decisions are made and agreed upon at the United Nations. As such, the conference not only provided a platform for participants to speak up and find their voice, but it also was a space for the development of leadership, critical thinking, and negotiation skills.