A. BACKGROUND

Developing countries, like most Islamic countries, need an economy that promotes growth and development, conserves natural capital, creates jobs, improves human well-being, and alleviates poverty and inequality. These characteristics are inherent to a green economy. The main challenges in implementing green economies in most Islamic countries are gender inequality, weak management by governments to create an enabling environment for women to fully participate in economic life, increasing poverty, local and border conflicts, high economic dependency on natural resources, and increasing food insecurity. Governments could introduce policies, regulations, and incentives to promote green economies and mitigate these challenges.

B. OBJECTIVES AND GOALS

The overall objective of the event is to raise awareness of the green economy. Also, it is aimed to provide a remarkable contribution to participants’ intercultural skills, critical thinking overall.  

The conference aims to achieve the following specific objectives:

1. To provide a platform for the youth where they have an opportunity to get detailed information about the green economy.
2. To bring together the youth and especially the young women from all around the world for a comprehensive intellectual discussion on the green economy.
3. To provide a platform where NGOs, young women, and professionals share their experience in both theoretical and practical challenges and opportunities in the field of the green economy.
4. To propose possible solutions from a youth perspective to the current and future problems related to the green economy.

C. FORMAT

90 Minute Format: 90-minute online discussion on Zoom platform that brings together experts and young women to highlight challenges and opportunities for women to enter this emerging field.

Date: 8th March 2022, 14:00 (Istanbul Time)

Moderator and speakers of the event have given below:

Moderator: Ms. Dr. Fadila Grine

Senior Adviser to the ICYF President

Speaker: Amy Townsend-Small, Ph.D,

Senior Science Advisor, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Office of Regional and Multilateral Affairs, United States Department of State

Speaker: Ms. Rafif Alam,

Gender Specialist at Islamic Development Bank

Speaker: Esma Kaan Yıldız

Sustainable Life Advisory, Founder of Education for All Children (HERCEV)

Speaker: Kaouther Maaroufi, Ph.D.

Expert On Healthcare Waste Management And Municipal Waste Management

Speaker: Seydou SANKARA

Founder of the Green Industry Company

Speaker: Aisha Al Maadeed

Founder of Greener Future

Speaker: Ms. Aisha Hana

ICYF MOIC Clubs Project County Coordinator for North America.

This event is an occasion to deal with the following questions:

• Why empower and advance young Muslim women in the green economy?
• How is their access to resources (e.g., financing, training, mentorship)
• What kind of obstacles are in the way of young Muslim women looking to enter the green economy? Especially in Post Covid Era
• Do we have any cultural barriers to women’s participation and leadership in the green economy in the Muslim World?
• What are the best practices when it comes to the green economy in the OIC region? Do we need to talk about the creative and smart solutions by governments and organizations to enable women in OIC countries to be successful in this field?
• How about the faith and tradition aspect and of the green economy?

D. Participant Requirements

The event will be open for anyone who wants to be involved to the green economy issue.

Note: ICYF will provide a certificate of participation for the participants.