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Jordanian change-maker encourages peace through youth cultural engagement

Jumana Yousef, 21, recently stumbled upon her passion for art and cultural heritage almost by accident.

鈥淪ometimes, we can鈥檛 see something that might be right in front of us. It takes a spark to ignite it. For me, the spark happened when I started working under the guidance of UNESCO and Leaders of Tomorrow, pioneering my initiative to build an appreciation amongst youth for local heritage and culture鈥.

Jumana鈥檚 initiative came to life when she applied on an opportunity she saw advertised on social media, seeking expressions of interest from youth interested in 鈥榮olving societal problems鈥. As a part of the joint UNESCO-UNOCT 鈥淵outh Peacebuilding鈥 project, co-funded by Canada, UNESCO Amman office has been working in collaboration with 鈥, a youth-led NGO, training youth in an effort to enhance their cultural civic engagement, participation and sense of belonging.

The training was designed to empower youth and advance young鈥檚 people skills in leadership, critical thinking and initiative management, developing creative and sustainable cultural initiatives that prevent violent extremism by promoting a sense of identity and citizenship.

I think of 鈥榖elonging鈥 as a simple word that means so much more. To help youth feel that they belong in their communities and their country, we need to create a strong link between them and their world. During October and November, the 鈥榊ou Belong Here鈥 participants and I visited the Citadel, the old downtown, Jabel Weibdeh and historic Naour. We spent two days in each place. During our visits we would ask questions to the locals, interview elders, make sketches of interesting elements and learn everything possible about these places. The people were from all walks of life - Muslims, Christians, Circassians - and they welcomed our curiosity. We left with such a deep understanding of the sites and our history
Jumana Yousef

In Jordan, the 鈥榊outh Peacebuilding鈥 project is being implemented by the UNESCO Amman office, with funding and support from UNOCT and the Government of Canada. It aims to create opportunities for young women and men to engage as change-makers and peacebuilders in their immediate communities and wider societies, and to promote a constructive vision of young people as leaders, addressing hate related issues.

With her strong spirit, Jumana is nothing less than a change-maker. 鈥91麻豆国产精品自拍 provided a safe environment where I feel a sense of belonging. I want to become a very strong and influential woman. To achieve that, I stay open to all things and I say 鈥榶es鈥 to opportunities so that I can keep learning鈥.

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