Empowering Iraqi Youth: UNAMI's Summer School in Sulaymaniyah Focuses on SDG13 and Political Participation

Given that Iraq is among the countries most affected by climate change, this unique Summer School focused on the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13, and its program delved into the environmental, political, economic, and security effects of climate change in Iraq, while also emphasizing the significant role youth can play in mitigating its impact.

“As a youth, I feel that I have so much power and passion, but I don’t know how to use it. I think being here in the summer school with the team and trainer helps me focus my power into making a change”- participant from Sulaymaniyah

Participants collaborated to design activities like urban adventure games, puzzles, and festivals. These engaging and innovative initiatives will be rolled out in seven different cities across Iraq, all centered around the theme of climate change and environmental protection. They are strategically crafted to entice and inspire interested youth to submit their most innovative ideas and climate change initiatives for the upcoming Hackathon competition, scheduled for 8-10 September in Mosul.

Beyond climate action, the Summer School also focused on enhancing youth political awareness and engagement, especially with the upcoming Provincial Council elections. The attending youth received awareness sessions on political participation, electoral involvement, and the vital role they can play in shaping their society through active engagement.

“I think the program gathered a lot of new and fresh ideas and I like how serious things are getting, because now we are investing time and resources to develop our ideas and projects. I am currently working with Youth from the summer school and outside the summer school to raise awareness on my governorate’s agricultural and water resources by gathering elders and religious figures and making a video to document it” - participant from Diyala

Aligned with UNSCR 2250 and Iraq's Youth Vision 2030, UNAMI's youth engagement strategy focuses on empowering young Iraqi men and women. The goal is to equip them with the tools and inspiration to become proactive change-makers in their communities. Using dynamic and interactive methods of engagement and mobilization, UNAMI aims to encourage these young leaders to create a positive impact in their society.

Since 2021, UNAMI has been exploring innovative methods to engage youth on the pressing issue of climate change and to foster political participation. One such initiative is the "Hackathon," a creative competition where interested youth come together for a weekend of intense problem-solving. They think outside the box to devise unconventional solutions to local challenges.

To stay updated on UNAMI’s Youth project's exciting progress, check out the Instagram page @Iraqifuture2050.