EAA Youth Series: Oweis Al-Salahi
I have always been fond of youth empowerment and the youth having a say in influencing the way the future functions for the better. Growing up there weren’t many programmes that were willing to take in a young boy to work with them, although I took part in as many volunteering opportunities and activities that were made available to me. I didn’t feel as if I were immersing myself to my fullest potential in those activities because I wasn’t seeing my ideas being implemented. That was until I found EAA’s Youth Advocacy Programme, which is a place that I can now proudly consider my second home.
When I first joined the programme, I had no expectations whatsoever because I didn’t want to disappoint myself as I had done in my past experiences, but little did I know, the Youth Advocacy Programme was a hub full of ambitious youth looking to create change just like myself. Throughout the programme, I got to take on many challenges, got to be on the ground listening to what the youth community has to say, and then go into creating solutions. The programme exposed me to several opportunities that honestly stuck with me and helped me develop as a person. Being a Youth Advocate, I got to network with my fellow advocates and through this connection, we got to collaborate even after the end of the programme. Although there was a lot of commitment, and it was challenging to balance my commitments with my academic work and my initiative, it was my passion that kept me fueled.
I was honoured to be a representative for youth. As a founder of the SDGeneration Network advocating for the Sustainable Development Goals and the youth involvement in Agenda 2030, the Youth Advocacy programme helped me expand my knowledge and gave me hope that there are institutions out there that value the voices of the youth. I am thankful to be part of such a diverse team and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for each and every one of us.
Oweis Al-Salahi, 18 a freshman at Northwestern University Qatar studying communications and media and politics. He is currently the founder of the SDGeneration Network; a growing social platform that helps involve the youth with the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Oweis is also an active environmental ambassador with the Friends of Nature group and has been advocating for the youth from a young age, he strives to continue advocating for the youth in the future.