APAY E-Learning Registration is Open

Last Updated (Wednesday, 18 December 2024 17:21)

APAY E-Learning

We are excited to announce that registration for our APAY E-Learning program is now open for new youth groups!

This easily accessible online platform will help participants gain knowledge from well-known universities. By the end of this 4-month course, participants will receive a certificate of completion, recognizing their dedication and achievements.

Join us to explore:

• Doing Economics: Measuring Climate Change
• Global Warming: The Science and Modelling of Climate Change
• The Sustainability Imperative

And there's more!

Our platform is open for registration from 18th December 2024 to 15th January 2025. The registration process is quick and simple, taking just a few minutes. Click the link to sign up!

[Registration link: https://forms.gle/ymt2RmUFkwgbesgh9]

Embark on your learning journey today!

Pakistan Alums holds a Three-Day Workshop on Climate Change

Last Updated (Wednesday, 18 December 2024 17:25)

A three-day workshop on Ecological Crisis and Climate Change Issues in Pakistan was held at the YMCA Hall in Lahore, Pakistan, from 15 to 17 November 2024. The event was organized by YMCA Lahore in collaboration with the alumni of the Interfaith Cooperation Forum (ICF), a project of the Asia Pacific Alliance of YMCAs. The workshop brought together individuals from various backgrounds, including College and University students, environmental activists, and community leaders. The workshop commenced with an introductory session that outlined the objectives and importance of addressing climate change.

The event brought together youth from some parts of the country, especially from different cities and rural areas. There were 10 participants:  five males and five females. Seven out of 10 participants were Christians, one was a Muslim, and two were Hindus. This event highlighted for the youth the importance of Climate Change issues that Pakistani communities and surroundings face.  The workshop challenged the participants to think of how they could make an impact through their efforts as citizens of the country and take small steps in spreading awareness of Climate Change reduction.

On Day 1, Ms. Sania Ashiq, Assistant Secretary of Lahore YMCA, discussed the Major Ecological Crisis and Root Causes of the Ecological Crisis. The Youth Coordinator, Mr. Ramis John, discussed the conflict Analysis Tools, focusing on the Conflict Tree. The participants were grouped to work as teams, discuss the topics, and share their experiences and ideas.  
The resource persons also highlighted the increasing phenomenon of smog and its impact on the lives of the people in Pakistan. In this workshop, the participants also learned some steps in reducing smog and spreading awareness among their communities about smog reduction.

Lahore City, Pakistan, is the most badly affected city in the world by air pollution and smog. According to Global Air Pollution Rankings in 2024, Pakistan consistently ranks high among the worst cities in the world for its air quality, though it is second only to Bangladesh. Burning fossil fuels for transportation, heating fuel, waste incineration, electricity generation, and other industrial activities are responsible for increasing levels of air pollution. Due to this smog and air pollution, school children and older citizens are the most affected, creating many health issues and respiratory problems among the people and communities.

On Day 2, Mr. Ramis John discussed the Introduction to Climate Change, and Ms. Sania Ashiq gave input on Understanding the Climate Change issues and their solutions. This was followed by the presentation of the General Secretary of Lahore YMCA, Emanuel Sarfraz, on the Challenges and Effects of Climate Change on our community and environment.  The attendees also participated in the group activity of making an Awareness campaign for the reduction of climate change.

International guests from different countries joined online for this workshop through Zoom meetings to interact with and share their experiences on climate change. Ms. Baidido Saganding, Program Officer of ICF, and Mr. Nam Boo Won, APAY General Secretary, joined from Korea.  Ms. Santoshi Wagle of Nepal and Mr. Probin Tripura of Bangladesh also joined the online part of the workshop.

The Lahore YMCA conducted a clean and green environment activity with the workshop participants on Day Three. The participants learned through this practical activity of growing trees and taking care of them.  They also cleaned the streets to promote a green, healthy environment for all.  This activity aims to teach the youth to understand their responsibility as a citizen to make our environment clean.

A video documentary of the activities was produced to share the participants’ learning and knowledge on Ecological crisis and Climate change issues. The workshop ended with the distribution of Certificates of Attendance to the participants by Mr. Asghar Suleman, President of Lahore YMCA, Mr. John William, Director of Lahore YMCA, and  Mr.  Emanuel Sarfraz, General Secretary of Pakistan YMCA.

Ramis John

ICF Alumnus and Youth Coordinator of Lahore YMCA

Pakistan

You are invited to Participate in the Sustainable Planet Survey

APAY invites applications for the Youth-led Solutions Seed Funds

The APAY invites young leaders to share innovative ideas for combating climate change within YMCAs and their communities. One objective of the Climate Defenders project is to create a supportive environment where youth and students can design and implement practical, replicable solutions that contribute to a sustainable future.

In line with the 21st General Assembly's call for YMCAs to achieve Carbon neutrality by 2030, the APAY is launching the second round of our Youth-led Solutions on Climate Change initiative. We would like to invite young people to form teams in your local YMCAs to plan and implement small projects that help YMCAs reduce or offset their carbon footprint.

Selected projects will receive a small grant to implement the project in their YMCAs or local communities. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a tangible impact while inspiring others to join the movement towards a greener future.

Online application for the Youth-Led Solution seed funds is open till 25 August 2024.

Registration link: https://forms.gle/WedBUaEk6SrXj8Sz6