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| The MENA Region |
Inspiration
has been a strong and valuable asset that I always welcomed. It helps me
remember how big the world is and how big my responsibilities are. And that I
believe is very important to make my life of use. I found in YaLa Academy the
possibility to serve the passions that I hold close to my heart, and most
importantly the inspiration that I just mentioned in this lovely introduction.
I feel I
have always been connected to the issues that my generation is facing
especially in the Middle East and North Africa, and to the ways I could find to
interact with people from there and find innovative solutions to the different
challenges of this region. It is true that many organizations and institutions
are now focusing on what has been going on in the MENA countries, trying to
support them overcome their problems, conflicts, fulfil their needs and use
their resources to the very best.
The YaLa
Academy is one of these networks that aim to bring people together and promote
peace-building and conflict resolution through a number of projects and events.
One of its most recent programs is the YaLa New Media and Citizen Journalists
Program in which I am taking part. This initiative was launched to train a
group of young activists from the MENA region and provide with the necessary
skills to interact with each other making themselves better writers,
storytellers, bloggers and peace-builders. The project focuses on practical skills
of journalism, new media and active participation.
We are now
in the second month of the program, and we have been very lucky to be given
lectures by inspiring leaders and professors who were also able to answer the
questions and the comments of the group members. I have to say it is
absolutely incredible how such a simple initiative that has been conducted
online can help us come up with creative ideas, inspiring stories and most of
all, give us the opportunity to positively interact with each other, give
feedback and defend the values that each one of us believes in. I believe in
the great importance of empowering people, and that is why I believe in YaLa
Academy.
The second assignment that was suggested to us was to write a piece about one of these topics: Identity, Peace-building, Social justice, Gender Issues or Culture and Tradition. I chose to write about Identity, inspired by my trip to Alaska.
#AIK #YAL
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