This story is about one of the two radio programmes that has sparked a wave of environmental consciousness across Zimbabwe, educating its listeners and fostering a nationwide discussion on climate change. Based on interviews with three different individuals—the radio host, an interviewer, and a teacher—the story is explored through their unique perspectives, showcasing how the program has influenced both its creators and educators who engage with it. By providing accessible, engaging content, the show was a vital source of climate change education for a wide audience, from urban centres to remote rural communities. Its ability to spark meaningful dialogue has fostered a nationwide discussion on critical environmental issues, inspiring listeners to become more aware of their impact on the planet and take action in their daily lives.

28 August 2024, HIroshima, Japan - Luay Hussein Moh’d is a Jordanian entrepreneur who wants to create positive change. With over 23 years of experience in the IT field – from programming and project management to quality management – Luay understands how leveraging technology can solve real-life issues. He took part in the UNITAR Great Ideas Space 2022: Entrepreneurship for Public Health and COVID-19 Recovery programme to develop his project: an app to connect patients to pharmacies to improve access to medicines.

28 August 2024, Hiroshima, Japan - When the de facto government in Afghanistan placed new restrictions on women’s freedoms, Ayesha’s university education was cut short. But she crafted success from crisis. She started a jewellery handicraft business using Afghan stones and now exports bracelets, necklaces and other jewellery pieces through online platforms. In 2023, Ayesha joined a UNITAR entrepreneurship training programme, where she learned how to develop a business plan and built her confidence to continue growing her venture.

23 August 2024, Hiroshima, Japan - Tonga is no stranger to tsunamis, cyclones and the devastation they cause. Lavinia Taumoepeau-Latu, a Tongan American, feels a strong calling to ensure her homeland is better prepared for such events through disaster management training and education.

23 August 2024, Hiroshima, Japan - Hanna Yohanis is a South Sudanese law student who wants to help build a generation of South Sudanese who can reach their full potential. In 2023, Hanna came across a post about the UNITAR Great Ideas Space for South Sudan 2023: Entrepreneurship and Innovation Training for Food Security programme. Drawn to its focus on food security and youth employment in South Sudan, Hanna applied to the programme. The programme has helped her develop an NGO to support young people in furthering their education and contribute to the development of South Sudan.

28 August 2024, Hiroshima, Japan - Nawid is an Afghan entrepreneur who founded and runs three businesses in Afghanistan in the agribusiness, green electronics and fashion, driven by a desire to do something for his people. Adapting to challenging circumstances and innovating within his means, Nawid demonstrates resilience and ingenuity in the face of adversity. In his newest venture, he is applying the knowledge and skills he learned from a 2023 UNITAR entrepreneurship training to support Afghan women.

22 August 2024, Hiroshima, Japan – Ngan Ha Mai is an official in Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, whose work portfolio focuses on nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and peaceful development of nuclear technology. She is one of the 18 participants of the 2024 UNITAR Hiroshima Training Programme on Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation.

Micky Welin's journey in disaster risk management (DRM) showcases the power of education and collaboration in enhancing disaster preparedness and response. Working as the Planning and Logistics Support Officer at Vanuatu's National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), Micky recognised the crucial need for advanced skills in Geospatial Information Technology (GIT) for effective disaster management.

Stepping up as a co-facilitator at COP28 negotiations on gender

Angela, or Angèle as she is called in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), is a National Gender and Climate Change Focal Point (NGCCFP) at the UNFCCC for the DRC and works as a course guide for the night school for new negotiators organized by the Women’s Environment and Development Organization (WEDO). Initially, Angela was educated in the area of health (tracheostomy). Her journey related to climate change started at COP22 in 2016 in Marrakech, where she met the DRC Delegation, which led to her appointment as Gender and Climate Change focal point.

22 August 2024, Hiroshima, Japan – For most people, organic waste is a problem to be managed. But to plant pathologist Dr. Josephine Jere, it is a resource. Josephine believes managing organic waste in urban areas can provide a sustainable means to revive degraded agricultural land, particularly in areas where traditional farming methods have led to soil infertility.