READINESS OF SAUDI YOUTHS TO ACHIEVE THE GOALS OF VISION 2030.

Abstract

: Saudi Arabia is passing a complicated path from a factor-driven economy to an efficiency-driven economy through various programs, policies, and initiatives to pursue sustainable economic growth which is the ambitious aim outlined in its Vision 2030. Utilizing the potential talent and dedication of the young has been considered one of the driving forces in this process. The culture of environmental awareness is one of the essential forces for sustainable growth. Therefore, we conducted a study to examine the existent level of knowledge, awareness, beliefs, and actions that comprise the environmental attitudes of university students in Saudi Arabia. This study is based on surveys conducted to over 200 students at King Abdulaziz University and draws inferences based on using the descriptive analysis. From the preliminary results, it is evident that Saudi Arabian university students have a narrow and limited range of knowledge, attitudes, actions, and skills in the area of sustainability. The findings of this study suggested that the educational institutions should incorporate environmental issues in every level of educational curriculum, the government should deliver some practical programs and arrange short-term training sessions to develop youths’ skills to support sustainable economic growth. At the same time, social, electronic, and print media should disseminate the knowledge of sustainability effectively as they have a strong influence over young students. So that young and potential students would be able to explore the many possible ways in which their own actions can contribute to a sustainable future.