Speakers term youth engagement vital and effective in environmental protection

ISLAMABAD: Rozan under the European Union Funded “Power to the Youth (PTY)” project commemorated International Youth Day by hosting a seminar following SOP’s of COVID-19 focusing on “Youth Role in Environment and Health Protection” in a local community of Islamabad. The aim of the event was to sensitize the youth about their role to environment and health protection.
While giving an introduction of the PTY project, Syed Ali Salman Senior Program Manager of Rozan said, “Youth is Pakistan’s the most important asset. The PTY team will train youth on climate change, environment, and health protection”. He further added, “Our young people are able to positively contribute in prevention of environmental degradation, and protection of biodiversity improving resilience against natural calamities.”
While addressing the seminar, the guest speaker Dr. Muzammil Anjum, Assistant Professor Department of Environmental Sciences at PMAS University of Arid Agriculture Rawalpindi said, “Engaging youth in environmental protection positively changes youth behaviors and attitudes, and they are able to influence their families and communities for common good.” He further added, “It is a need of hour to educate our youth in making informed choices on sustainable health and environment for the protected future.”
To encourage an eco-friendly environment, Rozan provided seeds and tree saplings to the participants. While endorsing Rozan’s efforts, NCA’s Country Director program Shaukat Iqbal said, “The international day celebrations signify that the youth are the drivers of change, and the PTY project enables youth in maintaining ecosystem diversity in their respective communities.” Reverent Samson Sohail highlighted the environmental issues in Islamabad related to Christian community and emphasizes on joint efforts to combat climate change impacts.
The event was attended by members of youth groups, people with disabilities, transgender representative Julie khan and Nadeem Kashish, government representatives. The participating youth highlighted importance of International Youth Day through slogans.
The European Union has awarded Power to the Youth project to Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) till December 2024. The NCA implements the project in partnership Rozan in Islamabad Capital Territory and Rawalpindi District of Punjab.
PTY project’s overall goal is to improve the governance and development challenges in five target districts of Pakistan: two in Punjab (Rawalpindi and Lahore), two in Sindh (Mirpurkhas and Sanghar), and in Islamabad Capital Territory. The PTY aims to reach 6,200 youth, 25 CSOs and 300 formal duty-bearers through customized interventions.