Stories and perspectives of mountain youth

11/12/2023

Mountains are one of the planet’s strongest geological features, yet their ecosystems are highly sensitive. Mountain ecosystems are extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change, forest and land degradation, land-use changes and natural disasters. Millions of people around the world live in mountains and depend on mountain ecosystems for their livelihoods. This includes youth who live, work and play in mountains and are increasingly facing the side-effects of climate change in mountain regions. 

Recognizing this, the International Programme on Research & Training on Sustainable Management of Mountain Areas (IPROMO), a training programme jointly organized by the Mountain Partnership Secretariat, the University of Turin, Italy, the University of Tuscia, Italy, and the National Research Council - Research Institute for Geo-Hyrdrological Protection with the high patronage of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, hosted its annual summer school in July 2023 on the topic of “Youth and the Future of Mountain Forests”. For the first time, IPROMO brought together youth 18 to 35 years old from different mountain regions around the world. They converged in the Northern Alps of Italy to participate in IPROMO where they learned about key issues related to sustainable mountain development such as mountain ecosystems services, livelihoods and enterprise development, governance and policy, and restoration and sustainable management of mountains.

The youth delegates from IPROMO 2023 felt inspired to support the mountain agenda globally and issued a Youth Call to Action for the 2023-2027 Five Years of Action for the Development of the Mountain Regions where they support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in mountains, as well as the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030. “Restoring mountain ecosystems” is the theme of this year's International Mountain Day (IMD) on 11 December. In recognition of IMD, mountain youth from around the world showcase the diversity of their mountain regions.

Hear from the voices of mountain youth, representing countries such as Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Colombia, Ecuador, Lebanon, Nepal, Peru, Rwanda, Türkiye and United States of America.

Zenepe Dafku, Albania

Gjallica Mountain 2 487 metres is where my home is. Gjallica is situated in the northeastern region of my country Albania and is also home to different ecosystems including forests, meadows and lakes which provide habitat for a range of plant and animal species. Beyond its ecological significance, Gjallica is often busy with tourists for recreation and exploration of its scenic landscapes and protected areas. Gjallica is also home to local communities whose culture is linked to the mountain and its history. For example, a traditional lifestyle is seen in seasonal movements to pastures (zhvendosjet në stane) and winter food provision, which underscores the mountain's cultural significance in shaping my community's way of life.

Rocío Melina Garcia, Argentina

The Andes Mountains are located in South America and are considered the longest mountain range on Earth. These mountains are home to diverse communities across different countries, including my country of Argentina. The local peoples of Argentina have developed a sense of belonging to the mountains and the mountains also play a crucial role in their culture. This picture was taken on a field trip to my study area where I analysed how different land use policies can have different impacts on the sustainability of these mountains. Living close to the Andes changed my way of seeing the world, increasing my love for nature, understanding the vulnerability and resilience in different aspects of these environments, and grasping, more closely, the benefits they give us for human wellbeing.

Ashkhen Mesropyan, Armenia

“We are our mountains” – that is how Armenians refer to their identity and heritage. Mountains play a pivotal role not only in Armenia's historical significance but also in providing a range of vital ecosystem services and livelihood. Mountain communities in Armenia face many challenges, such as illegal logging, limited market access and unemployment, impacting mostly youth. To support mountain youth from different regions, I coordinated projects that created new job opportunities by teaching sustainable trail-building practices and later recruiting them for trail maintenance projects. This helped to create a sense of ownership and provide an alternative source of income for the mountain youth. In the photo is Mount Khustup, located at the very south of Armenia. It is the highest peak of the Zangezur Biosphere Complex at 3 206 metres and the main hiking destination of the “Baghaburj to Storot to Mount Khustup” trail built during such projects with the support of the local youth.

Sergio Lozano-Baez, Colombia

As a restoration steward, I work to restore degraded areas in the mountains of Colombia, using agroforestry practices and involving my local communities. This valley in Consaca is affected by unsustainable agriculture and cattle ranching, leading to soil erosion that has resulted in landslides. Landslides expose hillsides and destabilize the slopes, so in order to safeguard my community and its ecosystem, I am active in restoring degraded lands by planting different types of species to secure the soil. As a passionate bird watcher, one of the greatest rewards of mountain forest restoration is seeing birds return to the land to nest and feed on newly planted trees.

Andrea Defaz Herrera, Ecuador 

This is Chimborazo Volcano, the highest in my country of Ecuador at 6 263 metres and the closest point to the sun from the centre of the earth. In the last 40 years, the loss of glaciers has been immense, exposing land and soil patches. The effects of climate change are evident through melting snow that poses a threat to three communities, taking animals, crops and mud along the way. It is also affecting tourism and jeopardizing the future of youth in the mountain area. Implementing measures and actions, in collaboration with local communities and authorities, have been crucial in reducing these effects and promoting sustainable mountain development.

Chirry Laurine, Kenya

The unique ecosystem of Rwanda's Virunga Mountains is crucial to the preservation of biodiversity. I came across these mountains while working with the women and girls of this mountain community. The Virunga Mountains are of volcanic origin and protect a wealth of biodiversity, such as endangered mountain gorillas. They act as natural carbon sinks and boost climate resilience, so it is important they are protected from the effects of climate change. Furthermore, with this year’s International Mountain Day 2023 theme being “Restoring Mountains Ecosystems’’ it is pertinent to acknowledge the role that young people play in preserving and managing the mountain ecosystems’ sustainably for the benefit of the environment, livelihoods and future generations.

Leila Rossa Mouawad, Lebanon

Ancient Phoenicians referred to Lebanon as the “White Mountain”, given the spread of snowy peaks all over the country. Mount Sannine of Lebanon is a national landmark and a source of inspiration to myself and many Lebanese. Reaching an altitude of 2 628 metres, the majestic white mountain can be seen from coastal areas, including from the capital Beirut. The socio-economic significance of Sannine lies in its capacity to supply water to downstream communities. Not to forget the mountain’s environmental importance, where the high plateau, rocky cliffs and dolines create a niche habitat for endemic species. It is worth noting that Sannine is one of my favourite mountains to visit and is internationally designated as a biodiversity hotspot and an important plant and bird area.

Prerana Lama, Nepal

This is an image of the mountain range as viewed from Panchpokhari (Five Ponds), located at an elevation of 4 100 metres above sea level. Panchpokhari is nestled within the Thangpal rural municipality, primarily inhabited by the Tamang community — an Indigenous group in Nepal. It serves as a habitat for various wildlife species, including musk deer, snow leopard, Himalayan fox, wild dog, langur monkey, Assamese monkey, pikas and civet cat. The adverse effects of climate change on the mountain ecosystem pose a threat to both the animal inhabitants and the Indigenous community. As an Indigenous youth myself, I firmly believe in the urgent need to take immediate action to restore the mountain ecosystem by harnessing local and Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge.

Sambat Ranabhat, Nepal

The photograph captures Bhairab Kunda at 4 230 metres, a glacial lake located in the Rasuwa district of Nepal. The lake serves as a vital source of freshwater, sustaining the vegetation and organisms downstream, which fosters a diverse array of native and rare life forms. The adverse impacts of climate change are leading to the accelerated melting of glaciers, resulting in glacial lake outbursts that pose a severe threat to the downstream ecosystem and communities. This is an issue in most mountain ecosystems. To mitigate this threat and ensure the sustainability and resilience of mountain ecosystems, youth, as future land stewards, must act. As a young climate activist, I am involved in agroecological interventions, awareness campaigns and content creation related to conservation and restoration, along with advocacy efforts on a local to international level to reduce and ultimately halt the deforestation and degradation of my mountain region. 

Marycielo Valdez Sanchez, Peru

At an elevation of 4 500 metres, Tolconi Mountains have multiple significance for my community. The mountains are considered our home and resource providers. Alpaqueros and artisans skillfully pastoralize their animals across the highlands and practice the art of spinning and weaving. The majestic Tolconi mountains, a communal habitat, present challenges, especially when extreme climates disrupt the innate capacity to anticipate, known as “musyay”. These summits are not merely a source of strength, knowledge and resilience, but they also offer transgenerational livelihoods and a connection to roots and medicinal resources. The mountains transcend their geographical existence. They are an integral part of my own identity, my community’s identity and our life sustenance.

Hangoma Kokulova, Tajikistan

The Pamir Mountains are a long-lasting cultural heritage in my country of Tajikistan. The Pamir Mountains stretch across Tajikistan's Gorno-Badakhshan, touching parts of Afghanistan and China. In ancient times, they were vital trading crossroads along the Silk Road. The mountains hold a special place in my heart as they have been a part of my life since I was born, and I was raised in its valleys. Pamir Mountains stand as the defining symbol of my city and community. However, in light of climate change, they have been affected by the effects of climate change resulting in rock falls, landslides, debris flow and avalanches

Aydan Özkil, Türkiye

The Aladağlar Mountains, part of the southern Anatolian range often referred to as the Anti-Taurus, hold a special spot in my heart. Visiting these mountains is an unforgettable experience, marked by the raw beauty of its bare rock faces, which glow with an ethereal red hue at sunset. This is a place where the hustle of urban life and its trivial concerns are left far behind. Here, you are immersed in a world where people practice traditional forms of agriculture and pastoralism, on the outskirts of the rugged terrain. It's a setting that warmly welcomes its visitors - where locals and mountain enthusiasts share a bond forged over the last century. This connection to both land and community is what makes the Aladağlar Mountains not just a scenic escape but a testament to the enduring relationship between humans and mountains.

Ritikaa Gupta, United States of America

These are the Blue Ridge Mountains, which are part of the Appalachian Mountain Range that extends from Pennsylvania to Georgia. The Cherokee Indigenous tribe, native to the region, refer to the mountains as Shaconage (shah-con-ah-jey), or “Land of the Blue Mist”. Growing up on a small farm in the Virginia countryside, traveling to the mountains always left me in total awe. The blue haze in the distance was mesmerizing, and I wished to capture the fresh scent of the spruce and fir trees of these mountain forests in my memory and soul.

As illustrated above, there are a variety of mountain ranges around the globe with unique ecosystems, flora and fauna, history, culture and local communities. Mountain youth are contributing to the sustainable management of mountains in numerous ways, such as through community work, research on aspects of sustainable mountain development and advocacy to highlight mountain-related issues and the importance of protecting these environments.

Recognizing youth as key stewards for sustainable mountain development, with the support of the Mountain Partnership, a Mountain Youth Hub is being established to connect mountain youth around the world together in efforts to advance the 2023-2027 Five Years of Action for the Development of the Mountain Regions.