“We have the right to participate”, youth voices spotlighted in UN climate session

Shehab Abou Zeid, one of our current Local Actions winners, participated in the Civil Society Briefing on climate change and road safety to talk about global linkages and challenges around the topic. Shehab had a session to talk about road safety and climate, focusing on how young people are taking action to address both issues. The session was held virtually last 19 May. 

Supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Regional Commission, the session focused on reaching out to civil society entities, to inform and raise awareness on UN issues, specifically those around road safety and climate. The session is also a lead-up to the upcoming UN High-Level Metting on Road Safety happening this June 2022. 

Each speaker talked about how addressing road safety and sustainable mobility needs would conversely address different issues around climate, in turn. They also highlighted how road crashes affect individuals and society alike, encouraging other civil societies to start acting in response to the challenges brought on by dangerous road infrastructure, dormant and non-existing policies around road safety, and unsustainable modes of transport. 

Building on the challenges raised, Shehab elaborated on how young people were the most affected when it comes to road crashes, naming it the number one killer of youth. He also expressed how, despite the fact that youth were the most affected, they were rarely included in projects and decision-making efforts to address it. He calls on leaders to involve young people in all stages of the decision-making and policymaking process around road safety and sustainable mobility. 

“We, the young people, have the right to participate and take action at all levels of policymaking and decision-making processes on equal terms with others. It's crucial that policymakers take a holistic approach and see how road safety and secure mobility greatly impact the achievement of a number of SDGs.”

Shehab made sure to emphasize how addressing road safety and mobility issues would help solve not just climate issues but also other targets within the Global Goals. 

“Today, climate change and road traffic fatalities and injuries are a growing public health concern, a social inequality issue, and a threat to the sustainable development goals. The lack of sustainable and oil-efficient transport options is directly correlated to the changing climate condition, socio-economic setbacks, and the challenges faced by global economies. A mobility system truly based on safety will have a wholistically beneficial impact on our health, and our environment, reducing the social and economic toll taken by road crashes.”