JA Worldwide and BASF announce Young Voices for a Sustainable Future Innovation Challenge for a Just Transition

May 19, 2022

With climate change being one of the most urgent challenges facing society, BASF has launched a partnership with JA Worldwide and eight JA member nations to encourage young people to contribute to a just transition and a sustainable future.

Today, young people make up over 40% of the world’s population.  With a profound shift toward a greater emphasis on building sustainability in all facets of life: the economy, the environment, and in society, we are obligated to actively engage young people in this dynamic transformation. Through this collaboration, BASF joins JA in its abiding belief that youth must play a central role now as we build a just and sustainable future.

Thanks to this new global partnership, JA Worldwide and BASF aim to raise awareness among young people about climate change induced consequences for their communities and the need for climate adaptation and a just transition. Through their participation in Young Voices for a Sustainable Future, and thanks to the support of more than 40 BASF volunteers from around the world, 800 students from Brazil, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria, Uganda, and Vietnam will ideate and innovate creative solutions to ensure a more just and sustainable future for the planet.

Dr. Christoph Jaekel, Vice President Corporate Sustainability of BASF, said that “it is a great honour to team up with a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, to help amplify the voice and power of the youth and the role they play in sustainable development. We are convinced that by offering such opportunities to young people, we will help contributing to building better communities throughout the world”.

Asheesh Advani, CEO of JA Worldwide, praised the partnership and said, “Young people want to be part of tomorrow’s solutions, especially when it comes to global challenges such as sustainability. We are delighted that BASF wants to hear their voice, involve them in finding solutions to shared issues, and give them an opportunity to contribute to sustainable development.”