UNFPA hosted a panel discussion titled “Creative Means for a Better Planet,” on employment edutainment tools to raise awareness on climate change at the UN Egypt Pavilion on November 9, on the sidelines of COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh.

The discussion was moderated by UNFPA Representative in Egypt Frederika Meijer, and brought together Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, UNICEF Representative in Egypt Jeremy Hopkins, Dr. Naeema Al-Gaseer, WHO Representative in Egypt, COP27 President of Youth Envoy, Omnia El Omrani, and Soad El-Sayed, UNFPA Youth Analyst.

The panel aimed to showcase youth-led innovative and artistic climate action initiatives as well as the different experiences of UN agencies on the use of different edutainment tools to address and raise awareness on climate change.

Soad El-Sayed explained how young volunteers developed theatre performances shedding light on the impact of climate change on girls’ and women’s health and access to services.

The volunteers were trained at the Population Awareness Clubs, which are located in youth centers around Egypt, supported by UNFPA in partnership with the Ministry of Youth and Sports. The clubs act as hubs to raise awareness on various issues including reproductive health, family planning and harmful practices.

The young volunteers don’t stop at the performance, she explained, but start an interactive and insightful discussion with audience after.

“We received interesting feedback from the audience,” El-Sayed said.

Meijer also explained that UNFPA relies on edutainment tools to raise awareness on different topics, including reproductive health, which is a sensitive topic to talk about to the public.

“Young people translate it in a way their communities can understand,” she said.

There are currently 400 Population Awareness Clubs in 24 governorates in Egypt.