Latest news with #youthAwareness
Arab News
01-07-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Nationwide drive trains Saudi youth in sustainability
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's Environment Fund has concluded its 'Friends of the Environment' initiative, which benefited 13,552 students from 331 schools across 13 administrative regions. The program aimed to raise environmental awareness among youth and was carried out in partnership with INJAZ Saudi Arabia, a nonprofit that empowers young Saudis with practical skills for the workforce. Munir bin Fahd Al-Sahli, acting CEO of the fund, said the initiative aligns with Vision 2030 and the National Environment Strategy, which seek to enhance and sustain the environmental sector and strengthen the Kingdom's leadership in the field. The fund plays a central role in realizing these goals. Munir Al-Sahli, acting CEO of the fund, said that the project is a model of collaboration between environmental, educational, and nonprofit sectors, and reflects the fund's goal of fostering a generation that values and protects natural resources. More than 200 student counselors were trained to deliver the program, logging 135,520 training hours — exceeding the initial plan of 125,000 hours. The initiative also surpassed its target of reaching 12,500 students. Al-Sahli said that while the program has met its objectives, the fund remains committed to supporting similar efforts that raise environmental awareness among youth. He added that the project is a model of collaboration between environmental, educational, and nonprofit sectors, and reflects the fund's goal of fostering a generation that values and protects natural resources. The 'Friends of the Environment' initiative is part of the Incentives and Grants Program, an online platform launched by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in mid-2024. The program supports 16 tracks across various environmental fields, and applicants can apply through the Environmental Fund's website. Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia introduced a new environmental financing initiative worth SR1 billion ($267 million), backed by Riyad Bank, to boost private sector involvement in sustainable projects. It was announced by Minister Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli, who is also the chairman of the fund. The initiative aims to strengthen funding for environmental efforts and provide incentives for standout projects. It forms part of a wider national strategy to protect the environment and promote sustainable development.
BBC News
08-06-2025
- BBC News
Olly Stephens: Murdered boy's death 'sparked change', says friend
"Keeping your worries private is not the right thing for young people to do."A friend of a 13-year-old murdered by two schoolboys over a dispute on social media has set up a podcast to help raise awareness of what young people are facing Stephens was ambushed and fatally stabbed in a field in Reading, Berkshire, in 2021. Two schoolboys were convicted of his murder later that friend Demi said: "It was an awful thing that happened but I feel like a lot of good has come out of it." The 17-year-old, from Reading, said she believes children feel "like they are almost protecting their parents and don't want them to understand the things they're going through"."But I feel like this dynamic has to change," she said. "At the end of the day, it's the parents' job to protect their children, so they need to be aware of what's happening."Speaking to Radio Berkshire, Demi said her podcast, called The Silent Pressures, is not just a conversation with young people."Including parents in the conversation gives them a resource to help their kids and educate themselves," she explained. "It's a shame that something so devastating [Olly's murder] has to happen for conversations like this to start."It was an awful thing that happened but I feel like a lot of good has come out of it, especially for me and my friends, as it has started a lot of conversations for us."These were issues we weren't aware were issues until they happened to us and now they have sparked change."Demi said it had helped "open my eyes - and a lot of other people's eyes around me - towards what social media is truly like." Her podcast, she said, was a "good way to make young people feel like people are listening to their problems".Demi believes more parents and children are talking about the issues now."I think parents are beginning to understand that they shouldn't give their children access to a phone and social media, especially at such a young age," she said."Although, I still think there is still a lot to improve." You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Malay Mail
04-06-2025
- General
- Malay Mail
Police: Kelantan's crime index up by 15.1pc in 2024, notable increases in rapes and theft
KOTA BARU, June 4 — Kelantan recorded a 15.1 per cent rise in its crime index in 2024, driven mainly by increases in violent and property-related offences, according to state police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat. He stated that a total of 2,296 cases were reported between January and December last year, up from 1,994 cases in 2023, representing an increase of 302 cases. Violent crime rose by 8.5 per cent from 390 to 423 cases, while property crime climbed 16.7 per cent from 1,604 to 1,872 cases, he added. 'Among the most concerning trends is the spike in rape cases, which rose 20.7 per cent, from 130 in 2023 to 157 cases last year,' said Mohd Yusoff during the 2025 Kelantan Police Chief Town Hall Discussion, themed 'Youth Awareness: Preventing Social Ills, Shaping the Future', held at Universiti Malaysia Kelantan. Armed robbery without firearms also increased by 25.6 per cent from 43 to 54 cases, while assault cases saw a more modest rise of 6.8 per cent from 147 to 157 cases. At the same time, several violent crimes recorded significant drops. Murder cases fell by 55.6 per cent from nine to four, and armed robbery involving firearms dropped 60 per cent from five to two instances. In the property crime category, theft remained the most significant contributor with 732 cases in 2024, up 50.9 per cent from 485 cases the previous year. House break-ins also rose sharply by 41.7 per cent with 628 cases, while car thefts increased by 23.3 per cent from nine to 12. However, motorcycle thefts declined significantly by 46.9 per cent from 128 cases in 2023 to 68 last year. — Bernama
