Hundreds of Palestinian Children Join World Cleaning Day Campaign

Jerusalem, MINA – The European Union on Friday, September 20 joined 300 Palestinian students in a campaign to clean the streets of East Jerusalem in the context of International Cleaning Campaign.

Ten schools from various neighborhoods in East Jerusalem participated and joined international cherished campaign movement.

Students clean their schools and streets in the old city, Wadi Al Joz, Al-Ram, Om Tuba, Sur Baher, and Beit Hanina.

The activity is an extension of My Green Jerusalem initiative launched by the EU in 2018, which aims to increase environmental awareness and promote positive social engagement among students.

The initiative was carried out under the EU East Jerusalem Program. Various Palestinian organizations supported by East Jerusalem Program are sections that involve students and volunteers. It coincides with similar activities of more than 100 cities around the world to mark World Cleaning Day 2019.

On that occasion, Acting EU Representative Tomas Niklasson said, “We are proud to see Jerusalem join hundreds of cities around the world to mark World Cleaning Day.

The activity is not just about cleaning up the Palestinian environment in East Jerusalem. It is a message from students and teenagers who claim their basic right to live in a healthy and clean space.

“It is also a way to act on the harsh reality of institutionalization of asymmetric public services instituted by the Israeli government. By increasing community involvement and supporting creative initiatives such as “Green Jerusalem”, Palestinians are trying to make their environment a better place to live, “he added.

Niklasson said the European Union would continue to support actions that safeguard Palestinian identity from East Jerusalem while highlighting and responding to policies of marginalization and neglect.

On September 21, 2019, millions of people around the world will unite to clean the world and raise awareness of problems caused by waste that is not properly managed.

Last year, 17 million people in 158 countries took part in World Cleaning Day. It was the largest civil action in human history, where 88,500 tons of garbage collected.

This year, World Cleaning Day coincides with International Peace Day. “We strongly believe that a clean world can help reduce conflicts and wars over resources significantly. A clean world can be the first step towards a peaceful world, “he said. (T/Sj/P2)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)