The UNDP, in collaboration with the ministries of Environment; Youth Empowerment, and Social Integration - has facilitated a new consultation for the Stockholm+50 initiative in Port-Louis today.
This meeting designed for the youth and people with disabilities has allowed to collect insights and data on the three leadership themes of the Stockholm +50 Global Event, i.e. (i) prosperity for all on a healthy planet (ii) an inclusive and sustainable recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic and (iii) the environmental dimension of the SDGs.
Data collected from these conversations will be compiled in a report to be submitted to the Stockholm +50 Global Event.
Watch the webinar recording below:
The above photos capture well the ambiance of the session with a very concerned group of participants, made up of youths and persons with disabilities, that shared their views on the Stockholm + 50 themes.
Some of the key comments made at this session, with Youth and Persons with Disabilities as main stakeholders, are as follows.
1. Education: To include a comprehensive course on environmental protection in school curriculums in order to empower the children from a very young age. Educate children for home gardening and ensure sustained sensitization campaigns in schools and colleges. Create new educational programs about the importance of nature so that people can better understand why they need to change their harmful actions towards nature
2. Waste management. Use resources efficiently, and adopt the 3R's (Reduce, Refuse, and Recycle) in our daily routine to conserve natural resources and share the knowledge with others. Students to be taught the importance of throwing waste in the dustbin, sorting of waste, composting as well as sustainable agriculture. There should be more awareness campaigns in secondary schools.
3. Renewable energy. Make maximum use of renewable sources of energy, including use of biofuels from natural resources such as algaes and render solar pv more easily accessible to the nation. Provide opportunities to the youth to develop eco-friendly enterprises.
4. Youth constitute key partners for the Stockholm +50 themes, as they are constantly active for change and have the energy and will power required to bring about change. They are considered as digital pioneers and have the creative mind to use technology to bring about the required change.
5. Participants expressed the view that the Mauritian Constitution should be amended and cited the examples of Bolivia and India where nature is protected by law.
6. All countries must rise to the challenge to save lives and safeguard livelihoods, while technology should be shared to reduce inequalities between countries
7. Limit the construction of building to avoid deforestation and visual pollution, while promoting the construction of green buildings.
8. There also needs to be a change in mindset such that every person Is seen as equal. We should have a more positive approach towards people with disabilities. They should be valued in our society.
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