As part of Youth Futures Algeria programme, Coventry and Jijel University, alongside Sustainability Leadership Kosova, organised a training for Algerian postgraduate students in Algeria and the UK from the 9 – 12 September 2021.
Hosted by the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) in Wales, this involved an intensive and immersive programme focused on sustainability and leadership for Algeria. Twenty-one participants physically attended, from universities including Coventry, Northampton, Southampton and West Scotland, while many others zoomed in from universities including Manchester, Portsmouth, Jijel, M’Sila, Laghouat, Ghardaia and Constantine.
Learning about transformation
From a variety of disciplines, including finance and education, the participants learnt about the ground-breaking work of the CAT on renewable energy, ecosystems resilience and climate change. Different sessions of the training focused on local to global challenges of sustainability. The participants were collectively involved in answering the following questions: How can young people make change? How can they improve their environments, protect nature, contribute to the development of their country, and ensure fairness and equality across all levels and systems in society? What kind of sustainable future do they imagine? What steps and practical action are needed to achieve that?
During the group work, and zoom sessions with Jijel University and PhD network in Algeria, participants identified root causes of the biodiversity and climate crises. They also discovered global breakthroughs, such as circular economy initiatives and shared inspiring solutions already emerging across Algeria. An online interactive film session included discussions with the director of Closing the Loop. This explored questions of leadership and the role of universities in driving change.
Emerging networks
The organiser and academic lead of the Youth Futures programme, was Jessica Ayesha Northey. She highlighted how impressed the organising team, herself and Ikram Berkani at Coventry University and Latefa Guemar of University of East London, had been with the quality of applications. Jessica affirmed:
The ideas, proposals and CVs we received from students were truly inspiring. Having previously worked in Algeria I knew the potential for transformational projects. However, this opportunity to connect with such a wonderful group of future leaders was humbling.
Jessica Ayesha Northey, Academic lead
The importance of working together, sharing knowledge and creating networks to bring about change came across throughout the sessions. Speaking about the impact of the training, Meryem, a PHD student from Coventry University, originally from M’Sila University indicated that:
This training provided us with concrete and tangible examples of change makers from around the world.”
Meryem, Coventry University
Acknowledging the transformational potential of such kinds of initiatives, Amina from Medea now a PHD student in University of East London also praised the quality of the trainers Indira and Rina contracted from Sustainability Leadership Kosovo (SLK). For Amina,
They brought an international perspective. As they also work at Cambridge University and around the world, they were able to share valuable experiences and knowledge. We also took inspiration from the Centre for Alternative Technology. The building itself, as zero carbon, is something we can also achieve in Algeria. The regeneration of degraded landscape was also impressive.
Amina, University of East London
Collaborative working
But most importantly, the training was opportunity to connect for young people and to value the importance of collaboration. Imene from the University of Northampton indicated that
The SLA programme demonstrated how sustainable development requires human ingenuity. There is an Algerian proverb, ‘yed wahda, madsa’faq’ meaning one hand can’t clap! As a community of researchers and learners it is critical for us to work side by side with existing environmental organisations and cultivate people’s consciousness and compassion towards our environment for sustainable development in Algeria.
Imene, University of Northampton
Chevening awardee and MA student in Birkbeck, University of London, Sami from HEC Algiers also confirmed his commitment to keeping the connection after the training. Sami stated,
I am very happy with this experience. The opportunity to exchange about solutions for Algeria at a time when we are far is so valuable. I had a heavy heart before this, but today I feel I have more hope. I have recharged my batteries with this chance to meet inspiring Algerian academics in the UK such as Elias Boukrami and Latefa Guemar. This opportunity has given me hope for Algeria and knowledge about how we can support positive change.
Sami, Birbeck University, London
Speaking of the potential for this programme to lead to further collaboration, including joint research and practical projects to promote sustainability initiatives across Algeria, Dr Adel Chiheb of Jijel University highlighted the importance of consolidating these emerging networks.
Since 2018 we have been strengthening networks with Coventry and other UK universities, as well as with our national networks of postgraduate researchers. Sustainability and zero waste is a major concern for so many of our students, so this kind of training is very important.
Dr Adel Chiheb, Co-investigator
Natural resource economist, Professor Said Chakour emphasized the importance of creating practical projects on the ground to tackle sustainability challenges.
Many initiatives tackling issues such as marine pollution or biodiversity loss exist across Algeria or are emerging and these deserve both our recognition and support. There is an urgent need for greater cooperation between universities, but also between universities the public and private sector to bring about change.”
Professor Said Chakour, Jijel University
The training will now continue over the next four months with online sessions to help participants develop specific projects for trialling and testing at the local level. Through this, it is hoped that a new network for sustainability leadership can emerge, drawing on the expertise of the trainers at Sustainability Leadership Kosovo as well as other international experiences.
