In a significant move to empower the younger generation, the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, in collaboration with the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals and in strategic partnership with UNICEF, has launched the “Sustainability Club.” This initiative is part of the UAE’s commitment to enhancing youth involvement in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030. The “Sustainability Club” aims to equip children with the necessary skills and knowledge to become proactive leaders who promote awareness and engage in community activities linked to the 17 SDGs.
Empowering Future Leaders
The core objective of the “Sustainability Club” is to select 17 children, each representing one of the Sustainable Development Goals, and empower them to initiate awareness and community projects in their schools and neighborhoods. This initiative seeks to embed the concept of sustainability from a child’s perspective into the national agenda. Abdullah Nasser Lutah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Knowledge Exchange and Head of the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals, emphasized that the launch of the “Sustainability Club” reflects the UAE’s visionary approach to investing in human resources from an early age. He stated, “Enabling children to understand the Sustainable Development Goals and actively participate in their realization is a long-term strategic investment, ensuring lasting impact and strengthening national readiness for the future.”
Building Awareness Among Youth
According to Lutah, children are not merely beneficiaries of the sustainability agenda; they are leaders who embody its values and translate them into concrete community practices. The National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals is committed to fostering a stimulating environment that allows children to express themselves, innovate, and participate, thereby enhancing their awareness of both national and global issues. The “Sustainability Club” serves as a pioneering national model that showcases the UAE’s commitment to cultivating a conscious and responsible generation capable of making significant contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals.
A Legacy of Values
Al-Reem bint Abdullah Al-Falasi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, reiterated that the story of sustainability in the UAE is written through its individuals, families, and the values passed down through generations. She quoted the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, saying, “Future generations will live in a world that is drastically different from ours. It is essential that we prepare ourselves and our children for this new world.” She highlighted the importance of placing children’s welfare at the core of development initiatives, a commitment reinforced by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, “Mother of the Nation.”
Transforming Ideas into Actions
Al-Falasi emphasized the simplicity and ambition of the “Sustainability Club,” where 17 children represent the 17 global goals, each leading a small initiative within their school or community. This approach aims to transform ideas into habits, lessons into actions, and responsibility into pride. Lina Al-Wareekat, Director of the UNICEF Office for Gulf Cooperation Council countries, added that the “Sustainability Club” embodies the UAE’s vision of building an informed generation that confidently leads the future. The club will empower children to be active participants in sustainable development issues across various fields, including climate action, corporate responsibility, and artificial intelligence from an early age.