Impact of climate change crisis and environmental actions

on children & youth in the Middle East & Eastern Europe.

NEW STUDY: Mental Models of children and young people in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Iraq and Jerusalem-West Bank

In the context of climate change, the Middle East holds significant importance due to its vulnerability to climate impacts, geopolitical implications in global energy markets, potential to influence global climate patterns, and cultural and historical significance.

Children and young people in the Middle East occupy a unique position within the narrative of climate action. Understanding their perspectives on climate change is crucial because it offers insights into their forthcoming encounters with its effects, fostering early awareness and involvement. This understanding of mental mapping can then inform the development of targeted policies and interventions, empowering children and young people to actively contribute to climate action and ultimately enhancing long-term sustainability and resilience efforts.

Logos In August 2024, World Vision MEER, in collaboration with the American University of Beirut and the Beirut Urban Lab, completed a study based on semi-structured interviews conducted face-to-face and by phone with children (ages 8-17) and young people (ages 18-24) from May to June 2023. These participants were purposively sampled from hot spot areas in the Middle East, which are highly susceptible to extreme weather events and more affected by climate change. The study's analysis, which extended into 2024, employed innovative methodologies using WordStat and Mental Modeler to develop cognitive frameworks and uncover the mental models these groups have about climate change impacts.

Report and Mental Models

Join us for a rich discussion on climate change at the World Urban Forum in Cairo on November 5th

We are thrilled to invite you to j oin our panel discussion at the World Urban Forum in Cairo. The event will be taking place on November 5th from 13:00 to 14:30 local time. Our panel of experts will be delving into our recent regional climate change study done in collaboration with the American University of Beirut, which highlights the impact of climate change on children and young people in Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan, Syria and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The panel will also feature Hella Jawad, Youth Climate Advocate at World Vision Iraq, who will be sharing her own personal experience with climate change.

This study marks the first time Mental Models are used to explore climate change impacts and perceptions of children and young people in crises. Its findings provide valuable insights into the attitudes and concerns of children and young people regarding climate change in the Middle East region.

The study also features innovative infographics designed by the Beirut Urban Lab (BUL) that illustrate the alarming impact of climate change on children and young people growing up in this region.

Eleanor Monbiot at the World Urban Forum 12 in Egypt

Our Regional leaders, Eleanor Monbiot, spoke at the World Urban Forum 12 in Egypt about the need to find lasting solutions that will provide displaced children living in slums and informal settlements with more meaningful opportunities for the future.

Climate crisis influences children’s and youth’s mental health – why should urban practitioners worry about it?

This year’s World Urban Forum is as vital for child-focused aid and development agencies like ours as it is for the 24,000 urban planners, urban professional, policy makers, and government representatives who are directly involved in designing cities and managing human settlements. Why? Because the urbanisation of poverty, the increase of urban warfare and urban violence, as well as the significant impact of disasters and climate change on urban settings, continue to make children - especially those living in urban slums and informal settlements - the first casualties.

ISPCAN Congress 2024 in Uppsala, Sweden

Our Impact & Evidence Advisor Ghida Krisht reports from Sweden

Watch this video from our Impact & Evidence Advisor, Ghida, to learn more about our participation in Congress.

Key Findings

Key findings related to children's and young people's mental health and psychosocial wellbeing and the tangible repercussions of climate change stress in Middle Eastern countries highlight significant negative impacts. Across the region, common observations reveal:

Tangible gender and mental

Listen to messages on climate change from the children of Iraq

Wadii, Abdulwahid, Mickle and Moqdam speak up about climate change in Iraq. They also share a message to world leaders about youth and climate change.

Mental Models

By developing innovative mental models we reached a nuanced understanding of cognitive frameworks and insights into children and young peoples’ perspectives of climate change.