11 August 2024, Istanbul. – Today we will be interviewing Samed Ağırbaş, youth champion, climate change advocate and President of the Zero Waste Foundation.
Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Ağırbaş. As we celebrate International Youth Day, can you share with us a bit about your journey and how your early experiences shaped your commitment to youth empowerment?
Samed Ağırbaş:
Thank you for having me. My journey began in the vibrant and diverse city of Istanbul, where I was fortunate to experience firsthand the richness of various cultures and communities. My early education at Kadırga Vocational High School was pivotal in shaping my leadership abilities. Even as a student, I was actively involved in student councils, and I led various initiatives aimed at fostering unity among students from different backgrounds. These experiences laid the foundation for my passion for empowering youth, particularly those from minority groups.
Interviewer:
You’ve held significant leadership roles, including being the president of the Istanbul Youth Assembly. How did these roles influence your approach to youth leadership?
Samed Ağırbaş:
Serving as the president of the Istanbul Youth Assembly was an incredibly rewarding experience. It provided me with a platform to engage directly with the youth of Istanbul and understand the diverse challenges they face. My tenure was marked by efforts to ensure that all voices, especially those from minority and disadvantaged groups, were heard and represented. I worked on several initiatives to increase youth participation in governance and decision-making processes, believing that youth should not only be beneficiaries of policies but active contributors as well.
In addition, our sponsorship of the UN-Habitat Youth Advisory Board has further strengthened my commitment to ensuring that young people are represented in governance at all levels. The Zero Waste Foundation has been a strong advocate for the Board, actively supporting initiatives that promote youth involvement in significant events such as World Environment Day 2024.
Interviewer:
I see you are involved in UN-Habitat—are you involved in other UN agencies?
Samed Ağırbaş:
Yes, I am also involved with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). For example we co-hosted a youth World Environment Day 2024 with UN-Habitat, UNEP, the Zero Waste Foundation at the Kalyon Photovoltaic Solar Technologies Factory in Konya, Türkiye. This event provided a significant platform to bring youth voices into discussions on sustainable development, particularly in the area of renewable energy.
We also hosted at the Turkish House in New York City the launch of One Map platform. Working with UNEP and the UN Geospatial Network this platform will collectively leverage geolocated data to support decision-making and provide impactful geospatial services at global, regional, national, and local levels. We see young people as critical to this platform – both as mappers generating critical geospatial data on places such as informal settlements which are literally left off the map but as well as users of geospatial data to better their communities.
Interviewer:
You have been a strong advocate for minority groups. Can you tell us more about your work in this area and why it’s so important to you?
Samed Ağırbaş:
Advocating for minority groups has always been close to my heart. Growing up in Istanbul, a city that is a melting pot of cultures, I realized early on the importance of inclusivity. My work in this area has focused on ensuring that minority groups have equal access to opportunities, especially in education and employment. I believe that true societal advancement can only be achieved when we uplift the most marginalized among us.
During my time with various NGOs and governmental projects, I’ve consistently pushed for policies that promote social inclusion and protect the rights of minority communities. This is not just about providing opportunities but also about fostering an environment where diverse voices can thrive and contribute to the overall development of society.
Interviewer:
What are some of the key initiatives you’ve led or been involved in to support minority groups?
Samed Ağırbaş:
One of the key initiatives I led was the “Youth Inclusion and Diversity Program,” which aimed to bring together young people from different minority groups in Istanbul to collaborate on community projects. This program not only empowered these young individuals but also created a network of support that continues to benefit them in their personal and professional lives.
Additionally, I have worked on international platforms to advocate for policies that protect the rights of minority youth globally. For example, we have sponsored the participation of Lenin Zambrano, an indigenous youth from Otavalo, Ecuador and UN-Habitat Youth Advisory Board representative, in key international event where he promoted the retention of the culture and language of his people. These efforts have been instrumental in pushing for more inclusive urban development policies that consider the unique needs of minority communities.
Interviewer:
Your work has also taken you to international platforms, including your role with UN-HABITAT. How has your global experience influenced your approach to youth empowerment?
Samed Ağırbaş:
My global experience, particularly with UN-HABITAT, has broadened my understanding of the interconnected challenges that youth face worldwide. Working on international projects has reinforced my belief that youth empowerment must be holistic and globally coordinated. The challenges we face—such as climate change, social inequality, and urbanization—are global in nature, and so too must be our solutions.
At UN-HABITAT, I’ve had the privilege of working with young leaders from across the world, learning from their experiences, and sharing best practices. This exchange of ideas has been invaluable in shaping policies that are not only effective but also culturally sensitive and adaptable to different contexts.
Interviewer:
Looking ahead, what is your vision for the future of youth empowerment?
Samed Ağırbaş:
My vision for the future of youth empowerment is one where every young person, regardless of their background, has the tools, opportunities, and support they need to reach their full potential. This means continuing to advocate for inclusive policies that protect the rights of all youth, especially those from disadvantaged or minority groups. It also means fostering a global youth movement that is united in its efforts to address the challenges of our time.
I believe that the youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow, and it’s our responsibility to ensure they are well-equipped to take on that mantle. This includes providing them with quality education, opportunities for meaningful participation, and a safe and inclusive environment where they can thrive.
Interviewer:
In addition to your work at the Istanbul Youth Assembly, you’ve been deeply involved in various projects with the United Nations and other intergovernmental organizations. Can you elaborate on this involvement and its significance?
Samed Ağırbaş:
Certainly. During my time as president of the Istanbul Youth Assembly, I had the opportunity to collaborate with several United Nations agencies and other intergovernmental organizations on youth-focused projects. One of the key areas I focused on was ensuring that the voices of young people, particularly from minority and disadvantaged groups, were represented in international forums. This involved contributing to policy discussions, advocating for youth-friendly urban policies, and participating in global youth dialogues.
In my role as a special advisor to the Executive Director of UN-HABITAT, I was able to further influence international youth policies, particularly in the context of sustainable urban development. My work here was focused on integrating youth perspectives into UN-HABITAT’s agenda, ensuring that the needs and aspirations of young people were central to discussions on urbanization and sustainable development.
Interviewer:
You’ve also been a strong advocate for climate change and environmental issues. How did your involvement in these areas develop, and what has been your experience at COP (Conference of the Parties) events?
Samed Ağırbaş:
Climate change and environmental sustainability have always been integral to my work. As a young leader, I recognized early on that the environment is not just a sectoral issue but a cross-cutting concern that affects every aspect of our lives. This realization drove me to become actively involved in climate advocacy, both at the local level in Istanbul and on the global stage.
My involvement in COP events has been particularly impactful. These conferences provide a crucial platform for youth leaders like myself to engage with policymakers, advocate for stronger climate action, and ensure that the concerns of younger generations are heard. At COP, I have worked alongside other youth activists to push for more ambitious climate targets, promote green urban development, and highlight the importance of youth-led initiatives in combating climate change.
Interviewer:
What do you see as the future of youth involvement in climate action?
Samed Ağırbaş:
The future of youth involvement in climate action is one of leadership and innovation. Young people today are not only demanding action but are also at the forefront of developing solutions to the climate crisis. I believe that youth-led initiatives will play a critical role in achieving the global climate goals set out in the Paris Agreement and beyond.
Moving forward, it is essential that we continue to create spaces for young people to lead on climate issues, provide them with the necessary resources and support, and recognize their contributions as vital to our collective success. My experience at COP and other international forums has shown me that when young people are empowered to act, they can drive meaningful change at both the local and global levels.
Interviewer:
Thank you, Mr. Ağırbaş, for sharing your insights and inspiring us with your commitment to youth empowerment, climate action, and environmental sustainability. As we mark International Youth Day, your work reminds us of the importance of investing in our youth and ensuring that they have a voice in shaping the future.
Samed Ağırbaş:
Thank you. It’s been a pleasure, and I look forward to continuing this important work alongside the incredible young leaders of today.
