In June 2022, Oran hosts the Mediterranean Games, the second time in Algeria has hosted this symbolic event, since its creation in 1951. It was ahead of the Games that we organised one of our final training events – in a city bursting with energy, creativity, action, excitement and anticipation.
During her fieldwork in Oran earlier this year, Dr Latefa Guemar also connected with academics from University of Oran 2 Mohamed Ben Ahmed and its Centre for Entrepreneurship. Together, colleagues from across our network began to explore ways in which we could cooperate, building on the interviews and training of the Youth Futures Algeria project.
Upon their invitation, we invited Sustainability expert Indira Kartallozi to travel with us to Oran University to run our Leadership training. This time, we would work with the Games’ volunteering coordination Head of Service for Citizen Action, Mr. Lahouari Yahiaoui, who offered to provide 12 young people to support our training, alongside Injaz Aljazair, and other young specialists in entrepreneurship.
Working with this network, we could connect with local associations committed to environmental activism. The student members who make up the majority of their volunteers, were now all actively preparing for the Mediterranean Games and were keen to hone their organisational and interpreting skills.
Youth activism for Algeria
Arriving in Oran ahead of the training, we were invited to celebrate the 19th May, the Day of the Student in Algeria. In 1956, this was when Algerian students across the country put down their text books and joined the Algerian Liberation movement, the Front de Liberation National. This proved to be a decisive moment in the Independence War. It also underlined the role of young people in the struggle for democracy, social justice and a fairer future for their country.
Algerian Students’ Day 19 May 
Meeting with Sports Clubs in Oran University
With receptions from the regional authorities, we were impressed by the multiple stands, demonstrations and presentations from all the active student clubs in the city. These included those focused on protecting the local environment, using GIS, satellites and algorithms and protecting the campus and cities’ trees.
The presence of children, music and sporting demonstrations set the scene for what would be an exciting, dynamic and inspiring few days in Oran.
Sustainability Leadership Training
Over the following few days, we worked together as a team, as our partners Indira and Ouidad Bendifallah of Injaz lead the training on sustainability leadership and entrepreneurship in the green economy. Welcomed by the Vice Rector Dr Hind Belkhir, students, staff and associations from Oran and their partners participated in different sessions. These focused on global sustainability challenges, to the local issues they face daily.
From the problems of waste, to water scarcity and the climate – the discussions focused on the problems, and then on existing Algerian solutions and new ideas for transformative projects.
Real life examples such as the EcoFarm in Canastel, Oran were highlighted. In this regenerative project, groups of school children go daily to learn about nature, where their food comes from and sustainable agriculture.
Other examples from across Algeria were also debated. These included a Tipasa based project for the composting of vegetable waste. Working with local markets to collect organic waste, the start-up works to produce organic fertilisers for local farmers, supported by researchers and laboratories to achieve the right fertilisers for the right crops.
The Mediterranean games
After an intense 3 days of workshop sessions, practical activities and debate, the network created by Oran 2 will continue to reflect on these major challenges facing all our local environments. Students, staff and partners were all keen to see how the Mediterranean Games can draw on this experience. As well the active youth engagement in the city, they wanted to draw on the eco-projects and rising civic awareness in Oran, to make the Games an example of sustainability, of citizenship and exchange.
Throughout the training, interpreters from the Games’ volunteer network, facilitated the exchanges. Local associations provided traditional Oranaise food, local specialities and pastries to highlight the different customs and heritage of the city.
Speaking about the Games, the Head of Service for Citizen Action, Mr. Lahouari Yahiaoui, insisted on the important role of students and the university :
We have received over 12,000 applications to volunteer for the Games from young people across Algeria, the majority are students. We have been overwhelmed by the support and interest from Algerian youth and impressed by their language skills! This training has been an opportunity to connect with international partners, test our interpreters’ endurance and showcase some of Oran’s traditions, heritage and activism for our local environment and city.
Lahouari Yahiaoui, Chef de Service, Action Citoyenne, Oran
Malika Bensaid, the Games’ Volunteer Interpreters Coordinator, and a lecturer in translation and interpreting at Oran University, oversaw all the volunteers who supported the training. She also actively engaged with students and other attendees, and took part in all activities throughout the three days. Her presence was crucial for interpretation, as well as team building. Malika sent us the following message:
We had the chance to benefit from a training about entrepreneurship and green economy, while offering our services as interpreters. It was a very enriching experience, both useful and enjoyable. The team: Latefa, Jessica and Indira, were amazing and generous.
Malika Bensaid, Volunteer Coordinator & Interpreter, Mediterranean Games
Youth Activism and leadership for a sustainable future
The final day of the Sustainability Leadership training, the Rector of Oran University 2, Mr Balaska reiterated the commitment of the University Oran to tackling these major global challenges and the role of their students within this. The training was complementary to multiple initiatives of the university and its Centre for Entrepreneurship, which seeks to build synergies across its faculties to create opportunities for innovation and platforms for their students.
Dr Houria Sekkal, director of Centre for Entrepreneurship told us:
It was an honour to be able to host this training, which truly struck a chord with our students, teachers, and partners. I believe the desired goal of spreading environmental awareness was met, but encouraging a multiplicity of awareness-raising actions remains important.
Houria Sekkal, Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship
With the Games approaching and the arrival of thousands of athletes and volunteers in the city, the potential is huge. Students want to understand how they can support and build on the sustainable projects and initiatives launched across Oran. The warm hospitality and vibrancy of the city, its young people and associations are well placed now to influence not only how the Games will be run, but to think about the future of the city.
Oran: the land of love, care, food & joy
What makes Oran and its people famous, is their extraordinary hospitality and generosity in a city where living together is a century-old tradition. Guided by the volunteers, we visited Santa Cruz, the Ottoman House of the Bey, the house in which Yves St Laurant was born, currently being refurbished as museum, the synagogue and of course the saints of the city, Sidi Abdelkader and Sidi Elhouari.
Dr Latefa Guemar emphasised the importance of valuing local traditions and knowledge:
Throughout our stay, we were spoiled with Algerian culture and culinary heritage. This included Seffa, a honey-sweetened couscous served for afternoon tea, and a delicious Paella, with seafood freshly caught in the port of Oran. During the coffee breaks, participants sampled Oranaise desserts and cakes such as Messemen, Tornau, and the famous Takneta. These were lovingly prepared by a young associative volunteer, who proudly explained how to make and when to serve these beautiful desserts.
Dr Latefa Guemar, University of East London, Project Consultant Partner
Our trainer Indira shared her thoughts on leaving the city:
Algeria – truly is the land of giving… of love, care, knowledge, time, food, hugs, music, joy, laughter and inspiration. I am sad to leave the beautiful city of Oran, my colleagues and newly made friends. This has been an intensive week of networking, new partnerships and delivering the Leadership for Sustainability: Towards Zero Waste programme. We engaged with scholars, scientists, engineers, students and activists to design solutions for waste. The University of Oran, and the Oran School of Economics on Students’ Day, gave us such a welcoming space and opened their doors to collaboration
Indira Kartalozzi, Sustainability Expert and Trainer
Words cannot effectively describe the wonderful experience of our fruitful stay in Oran ElBahia, Oran the beautiful. As such, Indira decided to create a video to share with those unable to join us:
Finally, our training, and the importance of it being delivered in parallel to preparations for the Mediterranean Games, was subsequently broadcast on the National Algerian TV Channel, ENTV. This demonstrates the importance given by Algeria to encouraging Leadership for Zero Waste in the Oran games, and for a more sustainable future longer term.
Watch | Facebook shows the Algerian Television’s reporting of our training and you can download our Sustainability Leadership Manual here.
