A Yemenia chosen as a delegate of 100 other youth to deliver their message to the Global Humanitarian Forum 2009

That’s how I represented Yemen as a young adult chosen delegate of 100 other youth in the Global Humanitarian Forum 2009 (GHF 2009) in front of Mr. Kofi Annan and HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein.

I still remember my primary school teachers asking us, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Most of the boys would reply by saying, “I want to be a pilot or an engineer.” Most of the girls would say “I want to be a doctor so I can save people’s lives.” I was confused about what I wanted to be. I wanted to save people’s lives, but I didn’t want to be a doctor like the others. I wanted to be unique and at the same time a life saver. So as the years passed by I constantly changed my mind and occupational goals until I finally decided.  I am currently pursing a master’s degree in Business Administration with an International Management concentration in Switzerland.

“1986, Yemen, Tic, Tic, Tic.”
But wait… I still I want to save people’s lives! 
Am I on the wrong path? Do I regret not studying medicine?
Definitely NOT!
I will tell you my story.

As a daughter of a diplomat you can imagine how many times I have to hear the political news everyday or see a mass of newspapers scattered around the house. Once, I asked my dad while he was watching TV, “Dad, who is that man?” I was pointing to Mr. Kofi Annan. My father replied with a simple answer for his little girl. “That man saves the lives of many people.” “Hummm…” my mind turned the concept over and over.”How come this man is not a doctor and yet he can safe a persons life?”

When I talk about saving people, I mean helping people out of poverty, shielding people from hunger, and protecting people from illness and deadly yet common diseases.  As I have grown up, I realize that these issues are getting bigger and bigger and much worse with the global crisis of climate change.

I have always been enthusiastic to learn more about the root causes of so many of the problems that plague so many of the world’s population. So lately I’ve been reading articles and watching documentary films concerning the effects of climate change and global warming on all livings things; but, especially how it impacts human health. So I started exploring events concerning climate change and global warming in Geneva.

I found a volunteer organization named International Conference Volunteers and worked with them during The Global Humanitarian Forum 2008.  Without any hesitation I registered and attended the conference as a volunteer and for the very first time saw Mr. Kofi Annan (who is the President of the GHF 2009) in real life. I was so happy that I seized the opportunity to volunteer.   Not only did I volunteer at this wonderful forum and got to see Mr. Annan but I finally gained clarity about my passion and how climate change has magnified so many of the problems I wish to work on. 

A year went by, and yet my curiosity never waned.  After registering for an e-newsletter from icvolunteers.org, I received an announcement that the GHF 2009 in Geneva would host a youth forum called ‘’Young Adults 4 New Results’’ from the 17-19 of June. The purpose of the forum would be to unite 100 selected international young adults via an online essay competition. The competition question asked all participants to address the human impact on climate change and come up with new solutions. The main objectives of the forum were:

• To make the voice of a new generation heard;

• To develop new ideas and solutions and establish a network of action; and

•  To deliver an initial manifesto of the youth generation in relation to the human face of climate change.

The outcomes and results would be presented to global leaders at the GHF 2009 by a delegation of climate agents selected from the 100 participants.

So I was waiting… and waiting… and waiting impatiently for the results of the essay competition. Finally, I couldn’t believe it! I heard that I was accepted and was overjoyed and anxious for the 17th of June to arrive so that I could attend the forum.

Youth Forum 17 – 19 June 2009

The event was structured in three main cycles: learning sessions, idea finding processes and action-oriented working groups. I attended all the workshops, presentations, plenary discussions, and conference simulations and brainstorming sessions I could.

Day one, I attended presentations and brainstorming sessions and was able to see what innovations the other conference attendants came up with.  I especially enjoyed the United National Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) simulations.

Day two, the moment had come for me to share my contribution to the forum. I spoke about the floods which devastated the Province of Hadramout of Yemen in 2008.  I spoke about how touched I was to see the first sky scrapers of the world made of mud-brick and built in the 16th century, ravaged and broken.  Our beautiful historical region was crushed by floods leaving animals and the crops destroyed, thousands of people homeless and many dead. Our ancestors had never anticipated that a hot region like ours would face such severe floods.  But that happened because of God’s will and because of climate change. Climate change caused the unthinkable to happen!

Day three, the third day focused on an idea finding process in which small groups were to develop new ideas that will contribute to the theme of “what can we do as global citizens?” We then found instruments and means for implementing and following up on ideas and solutions developed.

In the learning sessions my fellow participants and I developed a comprehensive understanding of climate change. There were about 30 projects presented. One of the projects I worked on, (which won fifth place) was called I.D.E.A.S. Initiative (Idea Implementation and Development Arena for Sustainability).

The initiative proposes to provide a space for the Youth Forum participants to collaborate on project ideas. This allows participants to work together to make these initiatives happen, to find the relevant expertise across different sectors and to help point people in the right direction for funding, resources and contacts. Ideas into actions.

On the conference, I was honored to be selected along with six other young adults as a delegation of climate agents from the Youth Forum.  We got the opportunity to attend the GHF 2009 and presented the two main outcomes from the Youth Forum:

• Five projects which were developed during the 3-day forum; and

• Construct an initial manifesto directed to the  UNFCCC’s COP-15 in Copenhagen on behalf of all the Youth Forum participants.

What can our leaders do in five, ten or twenty years? We individually introduced ourselves in a non-traditional way. I stepped to the podium and said, “1986, Yemen, Tic, Tic, Tic. “ the year of my birth, my home country and a symbol of the passage of time.  This was a verbal demonstration to show the leaders in attendance that we are wondering what could have been done from the time of our birth in the country we came from.

I (finally) met Mr. Kofi Annan and HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein at the GHF 2009. I have admired both of these world leaders for many years. Their continuing work on the global stage in the area of climate change and its implications has been inspiring.

Developing countries like my native Yemen are most vulnerable to climate change, yet practical solutions and projects are lacking. Gradual advancement requires international assistance to support adaptation including funding, technology transfer and capacity building, which will provide stability for the general population (especially women and children) and preserve the essentials of living (http://unfccc.int/adaptation/items/4159.php Articles 4.4, 4.8 and 4.9).

I have realized that every person can have a significant impact on the lives of people. Whether through their studies or their career, perhaps even more than doctor who helps his/her patient get well. I know I am not on the wrong path, and have no regrets about not pursuing another career path.  I can take the tools I have acquired and in my own way help change the world.

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