📌 Shaping Youth Resilience: A Journey of Impact, Connection, and Culture at Shape MENA

In February I had the privilege of participating in ShapeMENA across Khobar, Manama, and Jeddah. After two years away following my curatorship, it felt like a true homecoming—filled with incredible energy and youth-driven impact shaping the region.

💡 For context: Shape MENA is a regional gathering of Global Shapers from the Middle East and North Africa—part of the Global Shapers Community, an initiative of the World Economic Forum. It brings together young changemakers to collaborate on solutions for the region’s most pressing challenges.

A heartfelt thank you to Tariq Buhilaigah for inviting me to speak on a panel exploring impact beyond Shapers, within the broader conference theme of resilience. I shared the importance of integrating first aid into education—not only in #Jerusalem but also in other fragile contexts shaped by political, climate, or economic challenges. It was humbling and inspiring to present Jerusalem as a case study alongside perspectives from #Australia, #NewYork, #Bahrain, #Switzerland, and #Oman.

I also reflected on whether “sustainability” fully captures the realities of fragile settings and emphasized the need for stable, long-term funding mechanisms. In this context, I highlighted the role of #USAID and the urgency for diversified, more resilient funding sources to support youth leadership and development efforts in the region and beyond.

Resilience is built through practical, community-driven solutions, like embedding life-saving skills and first aid in education. And youth leadership is not the future—it is the present, with young changemakers already shaping policies and solutions today. 

This experience reaffirmed my passion for development shaped by listening, learning, and co-creation. Amidst constant change, the region’s growth journey remains rooted in its rich #identity, #values, and #traditions. By embracing authenticity and building on what already exists, rather than imposing external ideas, we can shape a more inclusive and sustainable future.

A huge thank you to Khobar Hub Global Shapers, Global Shapers Jeddah Hub, Global Shapers Manama Hub, and Global Shapers - Budaiya Hub for the warm hospitality.