Session Eight ” Advocacy and Social Media Skills ” in a Climate Action Qualification Program Session
As part of the comprehensive training program to qualify youth for climate work (2024), the eighth training session was held on Saturday, June 22, titled “Advocacy and Social Media Skills,” focusing on how to raise awareness and engage the public in advocating for environmental issues both in reality and on social media platforms.
The session was opened by Engineer Mohammed Al-Yitari, Executive Director of the National Forum for Environment and Sustainable Development, who discussed the importance of advocacy in climate action and the potential of social media platforms to serve this goal.
Al-Yitari stated, “When we talk about climate issues on social media, it’s not just about media coverage; it’s a significant issue threatening nations. Every climate activist must raise awareness and educate people on climate matters to become a partner in change.”
He emphasized the necessity for activists and those interested in climate issues to embody initiative and creativity, rather than waiting for opportunities to arise. They should proactively create them, ensuring they are equipped with knowledge and aware of the initiatives and agreements related to climate issues.
Al-Yitari also noted the importance of deep research to obtain accurate and reliable information and statistics, advising against relying on artificial intelligence tools that often provide incorrect or outdated data.
Assistant President of the Arab Youth Network for Sustainable Development, Alaa Mustafa, discussed several climate topics that activists should be familiar with, such as the Paris Agreement, its historical context, its expected role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and issues related to climate justice and human rights.
Mustafa outlined the three main types of advocacy: the first is legislative advocacy for political action; the second is community advocacy, which aims to motivate communities to take effective actions; and the third is public awareness advocacy, aimed at raising public opinion and awareness through press releases and media campaigns.
The comprehensive program to qualify youth for climate work (2024), launched by the National Forum for Environment and Sustainable Development in partnership with Jerash University in Jordan, the Arab Youth Network for Sustainable Development, and the Aman Initiative in Jordan, is the first training program of its kind in the Arab arena.
