The Nada Foundation for Safer Egyptian Roads participates in #Artforroadsafety challenge, which is launched by the Global Youth Coalition for Road Safety, Youth for Road Safety (YOURS) and TotalEnergies Foundation are taking to social media to launch #ArtforRoadSafety, the first challenge for safer mobility on the African continent. Road safety is a critical issue for young people in Africa, where road-traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for people aged 15 to 29.

The #ArtforRoadSafety challenge is being held in Egypt, Uganda and Senegal. Its purpose is to change behaviors and make young people realize that they too have an individual responsibility as road users. The idea is that they then take ownership of this important cause and become local ambassadors themselves in the most creative and original way possible.

Three African artists and influencers will share their talent by creating inspiring content on two road safety issues: observing speed limits and wearing a helmet. The artists selected are:
• Egyptian graffiti artist Elna2Ash
• Senegalese graffiti artist Zeinixx
• Ugandan dancer Robert Ssempijja

The #ArtforRoadSafety campaign has just kicked off on the Instagram account @ClaimingOurSpace with a video presenting the three artists. From July 6, they will post their artistic content and then throw down the gauntlet to young people on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. The challenge will run in the three countries from July 6 to 22.

Quote from Floor Lieshout, Executive Director of YOURS – Youth for Road Safety: “Who better than young people to convince other young people? This social-media challenge gives them an opportunity to create inspiring and creative content for safer mobility and share it with their friends.”

Quote from Manoelle Lepoutre, Senior Vice President, Civil Society Engagement at TotalEnergies: “At TotalEnergies, safety is more than just a priority. It’s a value. Through the TotalEnergies Foundation global program of citizenship initiatives, TotalEnergies is pleased to support this innovative campaign being run by and for young people alongside socially engaged African artists.”

Elna2Ash said: “Road safety is a very personal subject for me because I lost a close friend to a road accident. My works are exhibited in a service station in Cairo to encourage young Egyptians to slow down.”

Shehab Abou-Zeid, The Nada Foundation representative in EGYPT said: “The process of empowerment is endless, we will keep saying that youth lives matter by all means and that no language is better than art to express ourselves and our demands. On the personal level, I was honored and enjoyed each and every step in this project”

Robert Ssempijja said: “My choreographies will be a great way to send a message to young Ugandans about wearing a helmet.”

Zeinixx said: “The good thing about a traveling exhibition is that it lets you reach out to different people and raise their awareness about speeding.”

El Na2ash and Young Egyptian Leaders on Road Safety