CatalyticAction

PARTICIPATORY ART FOR CLIMATE CHANGE

Ouzai, Lebanon

2023

8

158

Funding: Agenzia Italiana per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo
Collaborators: Lebanese Spotlight; Imam al-Mahdi Scouts; Islamic Risala Scout Association; Al Rihab High School for Girls; Hassan Kassir High School; Borderless NGO

Working from the colour chart of the annual temperature change in Lebanon between 1901 and 2021, we used colours and drawings to discuss the urgent topic of climate change with children and youth from Ouzai, Beirut. This participatory mural was implemented on a recently built pier in the Ouzai port.

Participation pictures
Participation pictures
Participation pictures
Participation pictures
Participation pictures
Participation pictures
Participation pictures
Participation pictures
Participation pictures
Participation pictures
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The aim of this project was to raise awareness on this timely topic of climate change and enable a safe space for children and youth to express their emotions and discuss the impact this is having on their lives. 

To reach a large number of children and youth from the area, we started by mapping key stakeholders within a 5 km radius from the site of intervention such as  schools, scouts, NGOs and educational centres. The Union of Municipalities was supporting us with the outreach phase.

“Climate change is real and I can feel this environmental crisis we are living in!”

We successfully engaged 158 children and youth in this participatory mural. Coming from different backgrounds, nationalities, gender and age groups, children and youth worked together to shape this vibrant mural: a medium for expression and a concrete contribution to shaping their built environment.

Participation pictures
Participation pictures
Participation pictures
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As soon as the grey concrete pier turned colourful, children living nearby started using it to play. A small intervention that adds colours can catalyse the activation of empty spaces in the city.

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