Through the lens of youth: Sustainable Development Goals in the Arab region

In November and December 2020, 100 young people from 13 Arab countries participated in UNDP’s Visualize 2030 Data Camp. In its fourth edition, UNDP collaborated with UNEP through its West Asia office and regional organizations to provide a platform for youth to transform their ideas about the Sustainable Development Goals and the impact of COVID-19 into visual data. They pinpointed challenges including access to water, plastic pollution, gender-based violence, education, health, employment, immigration, and mental health.

The camp included an introduction to knowledge platforms such as the World Environment Situation Room (WESR), the Arab Development Portal (ADP); and training in data preparation, statistics and the use of credible open data sources.

In their final weeks, participants created their own visual products with the assistance of trainers, specialized in graphic design, videography and animations, and dissemination through social media.

These products were assessed by an evaluation committee, who graded projects based on their technical content, the use of data to convey a message, and their link to the Sustainable Development Goals and COVID-19.

The camp concluded with an online awards ceremony, attended by participating youth regional organizations. “Water access and lack of water security in Yemen”, aggravated by COVID-19 was selected as the winner of the first prize, making it the first environmental project to place first in four years. Three additional winners were selected with a focus on the economic impact of the pandemic on poverty in Lebanon and Yemen, and on the mental health of youth in Saudi Arabia.

All visual products can be accessed here.