East Jerusalem is one of the areas with the least development opportunities for the Palestinian population. Its low rate of labour participation is particularly serious for the most vulnerable social groups, such as young people. Education and training are therefore key tools for addressing this situation and promoting economic and social development in the region.
Aseel Ju’Beh and Ahmad Mashahreh are two young men living in East Jerusalem. They personally suffered from this instability and lack of access to quality education and training until they finally had an opportunity to train and change the course of their lives and, with it, that of the communities to which they belong.
TVET in urban agriculture
In 2023, we launched a project in the region together with our local partners, the Agricultural Development Association (PARC) and The Lutheran World Federation (LWF), and with funding from AECID, to support young people like them in their preparation as professionals in the urban agriculture sector.
In this way, Aseel and Ahmad, and many other young people, have been able to access this technical vocational education and training (TVET) initiative with which we aim to contribute to reducing the vulnerability of vulnerable social groups, improving employability and job creation.
The experiences of Aseel and Ahmad
Aseel had been thinking about starting her own agricultural project for some time, but he admits that “one of the main challenges I had to face was maintaining it amid the difficult economic conditions in Jerusalem”. So, when she saw the announcement of this initiative that we are developing, she decided to take advantage of this opportunity: “My desire to start a sustainable agricultural project in Jerusalem motivated me to join.” Aseel acknowledges that the training sessions in which she has participated have allowed her to acquire “important scientific knowledge, especially in the field of hydroponics.” Thus, she is grateful and confident that this training will ultimately allow her to improve her professional preparation and develop the necessary skills to consolidate her work.
“Before joining this project, I was working in the field of hydroponics and landscaping, but I lacked the academic training necessary to continue growing professionally,” confesses young Ahmad. “Although I could read the plans and drawings provided by clients, I needed engineers’ assistance when such plans were unavailable”. When Ahmad learned about the project and joined it, he was able to participate in several training sessions through which he acquired the professional experience and scientific knowledge he needed“. Every day of training, I was able to learn something new and, little by little, my skills improved significantly” he explains. “I believe that being able to access this training and education opportunity has provided me with incredible knowledge and skills that will help me advance significantly in my career and allow me to share my experience with others in similar situations to the one I was previously in” says Ahmad, who admits feeling “deeply grateful”.
International Day of Education
Today, January 24, we celebrate International Education Day, a very important milestone in the annual calendar that reminds us and demands that education is a human right, a public good and a collective responsibility.
Ensuring access to quality, inclusive and equitable education and promoting learning and training opportunities for all is an essential step towards achieving a future of peace and sustainable development for all nations and communities.
