The speaker Thawab Hilal from the University of Salzburg will talk about her research, that examines the imperative to decolonize climate change communication in Jordan, focusing on the amplification of local knowledge and youth activism.
Date: October 7th at 1:00 (CET)
Please register here: https://lmu-munich.zoom-x.de/meeting/register/O1O04vggQ_qcqOjbd_Htuw
Addressing entrenched inequalities between the Global North and South, Jordan is presented as a case study of vulnerability and environmental stress compounded by colonial legacies. Through interviews with journalists, communication experts, and young activists, the research investigates how top-down, donor-driven climate discourse undermines community agency and authentic youth engagement. Using Standpoint and Framing Theory, the study of Thawab advocates for participatory and community-led activism that centers Arabic, indigenous knowledge, and youth voices. Findings suggest that meaningful climate action in Jordan requires shifting from performative representation to genuine agency, institutionalizing grassroots collaboration, and empowering youth as strategic communicators in climate justice initiatives.
Thawab Hilal is a Senior Scientist at the Division Public Spheres and Inequalities. She holds a Master of Science (MSc) in International Development from Wageningen University and a Master of Arts (MA) in Digital Communication Leadership (DCLead) from the University of Salzburg. Prior to her current position, Thawab Hilal worked at UN Women and the United Nations World Food Programme. Her responsibilities were diverse and ranged from programme management to Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E).
Thawab academic background includes a Master of Arts in Comparative Cultural Studies from the Université Jean Moulin Lyon III, a Diploma in Gender Studies from the University of Oslo and a Bachelor’s degree in Modern European Languages from the University of Jordan. Her research interests lie at the intersection of communication and international sustainable development, in particular, the role of information and communication technologies in promoting the SDGs and combating misinformation.
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