MAKE SOMETHING Week 2023: Contribution to Sustainability
Make Something Week 2023: A Sustainable Celebration
Glorious Conclusion at Planet One Ubunifu Hub
The Make Something Week concluded on a high note at the Planet One Ubunifu hub in Nairobi, where youth participation was robust. Held at Cedar Court-Garden Estate, the event celebrated creativity, reimagining, and repurposing, emphasizing the profound impact of mindful consumer choices. The day featured engaging activities, music, presentations, and hands-on experiences, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
Understanding MAKE SMTHNG
MAKE SMTHNG is a global series of engaging, hands-on gatherings that celebrate creativity while challenging the negative impacts of consumerism. It encourages individuals to learn how to mend, upcycle, and craft unique items using materials with a second life. The core belief is simple: creating something fosters a conscious mindset, promoting thoughtful consumption.
Context Amid Global Plastic Treaty Negotiations
The event held significant weight, taking place amidst global plastic treaty negotiations in Nairobi. These negotiations, seeking a groundbreaking global plastics treaty, faced challenges and discord, particularly instigated by major plastic manufacturers and oil producers. Despite six days of intense discussions at the United Nations Environment Programme headquarters, tangible progress remained elusive. Approximately 100 lobbyists attempted to influence governments, reflecting the complexity of addressing plastic pollution on a global scale.
Youth-Led Initiatives: A Beacon of Hope
While global challenges persist in addressing plastic pollution, Kenya’s youth are actively managing waste. The Make Something Week showcased innovative approaches, with a special focus on recycling, reusing, and upcycling used clothes and plastics. Initiatives like The Swap Circle promoted sustainable fashion through cloth swapping, contributing to a culture of responsible consumption. Several other youth initiatives like the Craft Shop Kenya, an artistic haven dedicated to the exquisite world of miniature painting and the rustic charm of crafts. There was also Small Axe CBO, which is a dedicated community-based organization passionately involved in bamboo crafting, propagation, and river restoration initiatives. Just to mention but a few.
Vibrant Exhibition of Creativity
The event featured a vibrant exhibition highlighting the creativity of young minds committed to sustainability. Exhibits showcased the transformation of discarded clothes into fashion statements and the repurposing of plastics into functional items. The displays underscored the untapped potential within the realm of waste.
Role of Youth in Recycling, Reuse, and Upcycling
1. Innovation and Creativity:
-The youth bring fresh perspectives to recycling and upcycling, showcasing innovative solutions that view waste as a valuable resource.
2. Driving Cultural Shifts:
-Youth-led movements contribute to shifting cultural norms, inspiring communities to prioritize longevity and sustainability over disposable trends.
3. Tech-Savvy Solutions:
-Utilizing technology, youth stakeholders leverage digital platforms to amplify the impact of their initiatives, utilizing social media as a powerful tool for spreading awareness.
Simple Ways to Join the MAKE SMTHNG Movement
DIY Workshops:
– Attend or organize Do-It-Yourself workshops to encourage skill-sharing in recycling and upcycling.
Embrace Secondhand:
– Opt for secondhand and thrifted items to promote a circular economy and reduce the demand for new products.
Share Skills Online:
– Utilize social media to share knowledge on sustainable practices, inspiring a broader audience to adopt responsible consumption.
Advocate for Change:
– Engage with local authorities and businesses, advocating for policies that incentivize recycling and penalize excessive waste generation.
The Importance of Youth as Stakeholders
-Youth involvement is important in addressing environmental challenges. Their enthusiasm, tech-savvy approach, and commitment make them key stakeholders in the MAKE SMTHNG movement, contributing significantly to a more sustainable future.
In conclusion, the MAKE SMTHNG event showcased the transformative power of recycling, reusing, and upcycling, emphasizing the pivotal role of youth. As we navigate an ecologically conscious world, embracing the MAKE SMTHNG movement becomes a collective responsibility. Let us be inspired by youth-led innovations and take actionable steps towards a greener, more sustainable future. In essence, MAKE SMTHNG is a celebration of individual skills, collaborative learning, and a collective journey towards a sustainable and conscious way of living.
What can You Do?
More Images from the Event here: Make Something Week Gallery
As we celebrate the success of Make Something Week at Shades of Green, let’s collectively embrace sustainable consumption. Each small step, whether attending DIY workshops, opting for secondhand items, or advocating for change, contributes to a greener future. Together, let’s make sustainability a way of life for a resilient and eco-friendly world.
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Cheers, and Have a Great Week!
4 Comments
Cheryl Achesa
Good read! 👏👏Thanks for the call to action section
sidney
Thank you so much for your kind words, Cheryl! I’m glad you enjoyed the read and found value in the call to action section. If we all take small steps together, we can make a big difference. Feel free to share your thoughts or any additional ideas for action. Let’s inspire positive change!
Erica
This is really amazing,Its is really encouraging to see more youths involved in environmental matters and making a difference
sidney
Thank you, Erica! We’re thrilled to see the growing enthusiasm among youths for environmental matters. It’s inspiring to witness the positive impact that collective efforts can have on creating a more sustainable future. Your support fuels our motivation, and we look forward to continuing this journey toward a greener and more environmentally conscious world together!