“Building Tomorrow: Children for Sustainable Development” Event

The Palestinian Association of Local Authorities (APLA) organized an interactive event titled “Building Tomorrow: Children for Sustainable Development” in Sebastia, with the participation of more than 150 children. The initiative aimed to deepen children’s awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through innovative educational activities that combined fun and learning, fostering early understanding of the role of local governments in serving their communities and promoting social responsibility. The event was held in cooperation with Sebastia Municipality and supported by the Local Governance Reform Program – GIZ.

The event opened with remarks by Mr. Mohammad Azem, Mayor of Sebastia and member of APLA’s Administrative Board, who expressed his pride in hosting the activity in his town. He emphasized that Sebastia, with its rich history and vibrant community presence, is a fitting place for such initiatives. Azem commended APLA’s national role in leading these efforts, highlighting how such activities bring municipalities closer to their citizens through creative community-based initiatives that engage both children and their families in the development process.

The event adopted a group competition format, dividing the children into teams that competed in a series of educational and interactive activities designed to simplify and visualize the SDGs in an enjoyable, practical way. Participants rotated among thematic stations that blended movement with reflection — the SDG Wheel sparked lively discussions around each goal, coloring activities turned the SDG icons into visual learning tools, and physical challenges created real-life connections between play and daily environmental and social experiences. These experiences helped children gain a deeper understanding of their role within their communities, while strengthening values of teamwork, responsibility, and collective learning.

This activity forms part of APLA’s broader efforts to advance SDG localization and community participation as interconnected pathways toward building a generation that is aware, engaged, and empowered. By embedding the SDGs in playful learning experiences, APLA is cultivating the future citizens of Palestine — children who will carry the values of participation, cooperation, and sustainable development into the generations to come.