“The best strategy for change is to empower people to take action”, says Mohamed Husni, undergraduate, active volunteer and young visionary. Being very passionate about the environment and actively involving himself in the volunteerism arena, Husni has represented Sri Lanka at the highest accords of Youth Empowerment, and now looks to take that extra step forward, carrying out initiatives within the school as well as with other youth organizations and civil society institutions in the local community.
Under the slogan “Green City, Better City: Implementing the Urban Environment Accord for the Sustainable Development”, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Youth Forum was held in Gwangju, Republic of Korea, last year and Husni along with Sikander Sabeer represented Sri Lankan youth at this high level youth event.
The summit was an international conference where UNEP, the focal point of international efforts for environmental issues, and local governments join forces to set up a new urban environment milestone. Delegates from 110 cities and representatives of international organizations explored ways to counter climate change including greenhouse gas reduction and to promote the green economy as well as sustainable action plans.
“It helped me to speak out both nationally and internationally on Climate Sustainability. I was able to meet energetic youth ambassadors from various parts of the world working on climate change and it developed my skills and understanding of climate change and environmental issues,” says Sikander. While Husni said that it was a life changing experience. “I felt fortunate and privileged to have been given a wonderful opportunity to share my experiences, learn from my peers through interactions and above all to build a network with other like-minded community leaders from around the world. It was also a very important opportunity for me because this was one of the highest level global meetings”
We met up with Husni an inspiring young individual to get to know more about the volunteering process.
When did you first get into active volunteerism?
In 2005, when I was selected to represent as one of the 225 delegates of Sri Lankan Youth Parliament (SLYP) which started as a project by four youth leaders under the BCIS with the support of former Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar.
What are the organizations that you are currently
involved with?
Presently, I manage “Eco Care Sri Lanka”, being the founder of this voluntary movement which I founded in 2006, aimed at networking with organizations and individuals interested in working towards positive social change by promoting sustainable environmental practices among young people I also function as the District Director – International Services at Rotaract Sri Lanka & the Revive President/Immediate Past President of Rotaract Club of Colombo North (Rotary International District 3220)
How can the themes of the
The UNEP Youth Forum be addressed in Sri Lanka’s
viewpoint?
‘Waste Management’ – It is necessary to optimize the use of resources and minimizing the amount of waste produced by either organizations or individuals. So effective use of techniques like 3R – reduce, recycle, reuse – and sustainable environmental practices should be considered foremost in any aspect of development
‘Smart Green Transportation’ –. In our forums discussions were made by youth from all over the world and produced creative suggestions in response to solutions to a smart green transportation.
Plans for the future?
I am planning to start the second phase of ‘Green the World’ campaign, the signature campaign of Eco Care Sri Lanka with the support of British Council which will create a unique platform for young people with even very little time to commit to their communities to get involved in environment related activities and to make positive social changes in their respective societies.
I am also in the process of making -“Changemakers International” another unique initiative to encourage and empower young people around the world to take action to create positive, equitable and sustainable change by promoting volunteerism among communities.
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