TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK

DOHA GEORGETOWN University’s School of Foreign Service (SFS-Q) inaugural Young Leader’s Summit (GYLS), which hosted 18 young inspirational leaders from around the region, was concluded recently.

The conference incorporated a number of lectures, workshops, round-table sessions, and group exercises.

Topics ranged from geographical events such as the Arab Spring and issues in South Asia to universal problems which tackled poverty and inequality.

The 18 participants hailed from 17 different countries creating a dynamic group with a wide range of backgrounds.

A panelist for the discussion on new and old media on international affairs Andrew Mills, who is also an assistant professor of Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University in Qatar, said, “One of the things I really like about Qatar is that it is becoming such an international place.

It’s great to have all these people with different perspectives all in one room.” A participating young activist from Palestine, Mohamed Kilany, co-founder and lead software developer for Souktel International, echoed, “It’s inspiring to be with participants from 16 other countries, sharing experiences, speaking about the common challenges that all of us face in our countries and trying to find solutions to the problems.” The participants were given ample opportunities to create as well as solidify current relationships, in order to expand existing networks — a feature of the conference which was widely praised by all attendees.

Atiaf al Wazir, a research and development consultant from Yemen, said, “The group that they got together is interesting and dynamic. We’ve had a number of chances to talk, think of ideas together.

In fact, I’m actually trying to organise something with one of the participants from India to see if I can go there to work and learn from her project.