JERUSALEM, Thursday, September 19, 2019 (WAFA) – The European Union joined today over 300 Palestinian students in cleaning the streets of East Jerusalem in conjunction with the International Clean-up Campaign: Let’s Do it!

Ten schools from various neighborhoods in East Jerusalem participated in the initiative and joined the world in this international movement. The students cleaned their schools and the streets of the Old city, Wadi Al Joz, Al Ram, Om Tuba, Sur Baher and Beit Hanina.

This activity is an extension of the ”My Green Jerusalem” initiative launched by the EU in 2018, which aims at raising environmental awareness and promoting positive social engagement among students.

This initiative is organized under the EU East Jerusalem Programme. Multiple Palestinian organizations supported under the East Jerusalem Programme are part of this initiative that involves students and volunteers. It coincides with similar activities in more than 100 cities around the world to mark the World Clean-up Day 2019

On the occasion, the Acting EU Representative Tomas Niklasson said: “We are proud to see Jerusalem joining hundreds of cities worldwide to mark the World Clean-up Day. This activity is not just about cleaning Palestinian neighborhoods in East Jerusalem. This is a message by students and youth claiming their basic rights to live in healthy and clean spaces.”

“This is also a way to act against a harsh reality of institutionalized asymmetric delivery of public services by the Israeli municipality. By enhancing community engagement and supporting creative initiatives such as ”My Green Jerusalem”, Palestinians are trying to make their neighborhoods a better place to live in,” he added.

Niklasson said the EU will continue to support actions that preserve the Palestinian identity of East Jerusalem “while shedding light on and responding to a policy of marginalization and negligence.’”

On 21 of September 2019 millions of people across the globe will unite to clean up the world and raise awareness of the problems caused by mismanaged waste. Last year, 17 million people in 158 countries took part of World Cleanup Day. It was the biggest civic action in human history, where 88,500 tons of wastes were collected.

This year, World Clean-up Day coincides with the International Day of Peace. We strongly believe that a clean world may help significantly to reduce conflict and wars over resources. A clean world can be a first step towards a peaceful world.

M.N

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