The role of eco volunteers and young leaders in addressing environmental challenges within Central Asia and Afghanistan
Eco volunteer movements have become increasingly popular in the past years, designed to draw public attention to environmental issues, facilitate outreach and awareness-raising as well as to educate and motivate a new generation.
Nowadays people tend to place high importance on environmental friendliness and sustainability, which become a vital part of our everyday life, especially individuals who seek to raise their level of awareness and consciousness and care about himself and the world around him. Eco-volunteering provides an opportunity to make life better, to become truly mindful of the importance of living in harmony with nature. It helps you to get to know yourself better and improve interpersonal and professional skills.
«Volunteering has become an expression of the highest degree of patriotism, backed up by concrete deeds. Youth is our future. A new generation of leaders should be ready for a new historical stage in the development of the country».
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
Within the framework of the 11th Central Asian Leadership Program on Environment for Sustainable Development (CALP), which is aimed at promoting action-oriented regional platform for youth dialogue, we were able to discuss the role of eco-volunteers and young leaders in addressing environmental challenges faced by Central Asia and Afghanistan. The Leadership Programme 2020 is organized as an input to the “Year of Volunteers in Kazakhstan”, as it has been declared by the Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Danara Saranova, founder of «ASAA» Youth NGO, Youth Ambassador in the «Model OSCE», National UN Youth Volunteer attended the 11th CALP Opening session as its speaker and shared her experience of volunteering and achievements that have been made.
«ASAA» Youth Organization, founded in 2001 with more than 400 volunteers, implements over 800 projects, both local and international.
«We are trying to implement the knowledge gained in CALP by organizing and running workshops, engaging or seeking the necessary resources. Many projects do not need any considerable funding. The most important thing is your will and readiness to share knowledge. All work is being made on a volunteer basis».
Danara Saranova
With their examples, volunteers not only encourage young people, but also help them to understand the need for individual and joint commitment in terms of environmental protection.
In conclusion, it is important to point out that the eco volunteer movement is aimed at promoting and enhancing consciousness, sense of social responsibility, respect and care for our common Home.