Students Reflect on Plastic’s Harm and Dream of Change

Art is a universal language, one that transcends age, borders, and backgrounds. It gives voice to our deepest concerns and boldest dreams, especially when words fall short.

To mark World Environment Day 2025, more than 300 students aged 7 to 17 from Soodeh Educational Complex picked up their brushes and pencils to reflect on the damage caused by plastic pollution and paint their own vision of a cleaner and sustainable future. Forty artworks were selected to be showcased, each a compelling expression of how the next generation sees both the crisis and the solution.

World Environment Day, observed every year on June 5th, is a global reminder of our shared responsibility to care for the planet. This year’s theme “Beat Plastic Pollution,” draws attention to one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, one that affects communities and ecosystems around the world, including Iran.
Plastic is embedded in nearly every part of daily life. Yet improper disposal has caused serious consequences for nature, wildlife, and human health. A single plastic bottle, used for minutes, can take up to 450 years to decompose.

Engaging children in these efforts raises awareness and empowers them from a young age to understand their environmental footprint and their role as responsible global citizens. When children are part of the solution, they carry lessons into their homes and communities, creating ripple effects of positive change.
Ms. Masoumeh Namazi, Principal of Soodeh Educational Complex, emphasized the importance of environmental education from an early age: “Raising awareness about the environment has always been part of our educational mission. We believe that teaching students contributes to knowledge dissemination in their families and create a culture of care and responsibility.”

She added: “With the help of our International Department, our students take part in practical activities, such as reducing plastic consumption, planting trees, and collecting plastic bottle caps, which are donated to an NGO that recycles them to produce wheelchairs for those in need.”

To reinforce their commitment, students also signed an environmental pledge:

“Every piece of plastic we discard harms nature — disturbing the tranquility of our forests, rivers, and all living beings. To preserve the beauty of our world, protect wildlife, and ensure clean air and water for future generations, we commit to managing our plastic consumption. By signing this petition, we pledge to protect and restore nature.
#BeatPlasticPollution — 5 June 2025” 

To further amplify and spread the students' voices, the artworks will be displayed in ECH Art Gallery and Sam Café. These platforms provide access to the general public, especially young people.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) in Iran partnered with Soodeh Educational Complex, public galleries and cafés  to raise broader awareness, share the dreams and concerns of the younger generation, and inspire change. The initiative also encourages galleries and cafés to take their own steps toward more environmentally friendly practices—be it reducing single-use plastics or promoting sustainable choices.

UNDP in Iran is working closely with national and international partners to support the Government in promoting sustainable development, including through a wide range of environmental initiatives. This collaboration with Soudeh and the private sector serves as a powerful reminder that when young minds engage with environmental issues, they don’t just create art, they connect generations by creating awareness, taking joint action, and helping shape a better future.