Fatima El-Aaraby is a young researcher and ecologist, Chair of the IUCN CEESP Youth Working Group, and Communications Officer at the CBD Women's Caucus. She works at the intersection of gender ...
IUCN COMMISSION GROUP
IUCN CEESP Youth Working Group
Overview and description
The IUCN CEESP Intergenerational Partnerships Group (IGP) seeks to foster an environment for learning and exchange between young professionals and the expertise within IUCN and CEESP. By providing this platform, we aim to enhance the holistic approach of young professionals in their projects, research, advocacy, and other initiatives, by incorporating both social and ecological knowledge and understanding. We hope that this will also provide a space for a stronger and more coherent voice for young professionals within IUCN and IUCN CEESP.
Group leadership
Ms Fatima EL-AARABY
Fatima El-Aaraby is a young researcher and ecologist, Chair of the IUCN CEESP Youth Working Group, and Communications Officer at the CBD Women's Caucus. She works at the intersection of gender-responsive biodiversity policy, youth engagement, and communications, with roots in a Jbala community in northern Morocco that ground her local-to-global advocacy.
She is a PhD researcher studying the distribution and conservation status of terrestrial mammals in Morocco, combining scientific fieldwork with international policy advocacy on biodiversity, youth, and gender. She holds a Master's degree in Ecological Engineering and Biodiversity Management, and has spent many years working on youth engagement, mobilizing young people across regions to engage meaningfully in Convention on Biological Diversity processes and IUCN structures.
Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
Background:
Youth holds significant power as right-holders in tackling the climate and biodiversity crisis. As future inheritors of the planet, they have a vested interest in ensuring that the environment is protected for future generations. The impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss will not be felt equally across all generations. Younger generations are more likely to suffer the consequences of a degraded environment, such as reduced access to resources and increased vulnerability to extreme weather events. Engaging youth in addressing the crisis is an important aspect of intergenerational equity, which has been also identified as an enabling condition for the achievement of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Youth bring a unique perspective and set of skills to the table, such as digital literacy, creativity, and passion for change. By leveraging these assets, youth can play a critical role in raising awareness, advocating for change, and driving innovation in the fight against the climate and biodiversity crisis. Moreover, engaging youth in environmental issues can empower them and provide opportunities for leadership development. By recognizing the power of youth, we can tap into their potential to create a just, equitable and sustainable future where we can live in harmony with nature.
Objectives of the Inter-generational Partnerships Group (IGP):
- Create an environment for learning and exchange between young professionals and the expertise within IUCN and CEESP
- Support young professionals in their projects, research, advocacy, and other initiatives, by providing spaces to collaborate, providing opportunities, and broadening their social and ecological knowledge and understanding.
- Support young professionals in having a stronger and more coherent voice within IUCN, IUCN CEESP, and also in strategic environmental debates.
Work Plan 2023-2025
- Networking and community building: Support the young professionals in CEESP to exchange learnings and collaborate with each other. Conduct networking events and webinars.
- Knowledge sharing webinars: Conduct regular webinars to share information on relevant topics with experts.
- Creating resources: Developing knowledge products, opinion pieces and capacity building material with fellow CEESP young professionals and other members.