Managing waste properly is essential for building sustainable and livable cities, but it remains a challenge for many developing countries and cities. And Just like any other city, Juba - the capital of South Sudan and its surrounding suburbs faces the challenge of poor waste management, and very little is done to care for the environment as well.March 30 2023 is the international day for zero waste proclaimed by the UN General Assembly last December, to formally recognize the importance of zero-waste initiatives around the world.So in this episode of our podcast, we reflect on some local youth initiatives in South Sudan, created specifically to work towards waste management and discuss what more can be done to ensure proper disposal and management of our waste in our homes, communities, and the country at large.This conversation features Alice Sabuni - a young woman very passionate about environmental care and recycling waste products. She founded Eco Clean -a Juba-based initiative to manage waste in some parts of the city. In this episode, you shall also listen to a youth leader who has mobilized his peers to ensure their neighborhood is waste-free.

 How can South Sudanese Youth contribute to stopping or at least minimising the effects of climate change in the country? Episode 3 features an interview with Thor Yuanes, a Climate Change Adaptation and Smart Action Advocacy Group leader from Bentiu, Unity State, South Sudan. To support his community, Yuanes engaged the youth in his village to raise awareness about climate change and its potential effects. He also created a rapid response team to help with evacuation during emergencies. Yuanes calls on young people across the country to step up and tackle climate change in South Sudan. 

This is a poem about the plight of some South Sudanese youth in the country, describing the dilemma and hopelessness they feel amidst socio-economic difficulties.

Episode 2: Youth and Peacebuilding in South Sudan. How can the South Sudanese Youth take part in the peacebuilding processes in the country? Benson Binya talks about his engagement in peacebuilding activities and the gains he and his team have made in his community.

The first episode provides a general understanding of the current status of youth in South Sudan and the challenges they face, as well as their contribution towards nation building in the post-conflict era. It features a candid conversation with Grace Aguil Garang, who is engaged in national and international efforts to influence youth policies in South Sudan and Africa at large. This podcast is hosted by Rosemary Wilfred, Tearfund South Sudan’s Advocacy, Media and Communication Manager.

Trailer for Step Up - A Podcast Series by Tearfund South Sudan