FSL 2023
Y4S Voices
Featured
Testimonials
Being selected as a Sustainability Ambassador has been incredibly fulfilling and thought-provoking. From dedicated mentors guiding us through various aspects of sustainable thinking to finding new friends and networking with like-minded students, I've experienced profound personal growth. This program has accelerated my involvement in innovative sustainable developments, providing numerous opportunities to gain insights and engage with experts in the field.
Helen Maria Biju
Y4S has broadened my knowledge and significantly impacted my role as a UN youth delegate. The program gave me the confidence to represent youth in global forums, advocate for meaningful change, and shape the future we envision. The support I received empowered me to lead with confidence and champion the causes I believe in, making this experience pivotal in my journey as a sustainability leader
Abdullah Alsuwaidi
SkillUp’s self-paced and gamified approach made learning both engaging and impactful. The comprehensive units on social skills, entrepreneurial mindset, and sustainability were particularly valuable, helping me develop the skills needed to lead in a rapidly changing world. This platform has been a crucial part of my journey toward becoming a future sustainability leader.
Abdulrahman Alattas
Participating in the Code4Climate Hackathon was an amazing and insightful experience. I learned so much about innovative solutions for climate change and how technology can drive sustainability. The event was both inspiring and extremely helpful in expanding my understanding of these critical issues.
Alanood Alblooshi
I have been deeply inspired by the initiative's commitment to empowering the next generation of sustainability leaders. Through a blended learning experience with global business leaders, policymakers, and technology pioneers, we are equipped with the latest sustainability best practices. The program's comprehensive approach, combining core knowledge, skills training, mentorship, and networking opportunities, has been invaluable.
Amna Al Hammadi
The Code4Climate hackathon has been one of my favorites so far. I had the opportunity to meet new people, which encouraged me to engage in meaningful conversations. I was able to share my skills and learn more about coding and sustainability. Overall, I enjoyed the process of designing and presenting my ideas alongside my friend and partner, Alanood. If given the chance to participate again, I would absolutely jump at it!
Aryam Al Kaabi
I4C presented us with an intriguing challenge: a single task with a shared deadline, tackled by over five teams composed of individuals with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. In the end, each team came up with a totally unique and innovative solution, all working toward the same goal. Today, I believe that the I4C challenge is the reason behind my broadened perspective—there are multiple approaches to solving a problem.
Ashley Kamau
Through completing the various modules on the platform, I’ve gained a wealth of knowledge and found inspiration to finally pursue some business ideas I’ve been dreaming about for a long time. The modules are perfectly timed, offering just the right depth to dive into each topic while keeping the motivation high.
Ellie Hutterli
My experience with the Y4S SkillUp App is incredible. It helped me grasp information faster and the interactive activities helped me understand each and every topic and unit. It added value to my time and knowledge. And overall, it taught me to use my time wisely
Fatima Alshamsi
My experience with the Y4S program is beyond amazing! I was able to meet and connect with many like-minded youths who inspired me and my fellow ambassadors, not to mention that we deeply understood the true meaning of sustainability and its interconnection with many aspects in our lives. Joining Y4S Sustainability Ambassador’s program showed me the actual value of teamwork, dedication, commitment, and diligence.
Ghaya Alahbabi
The Y4S program helped me deepen my understanding of sustainability and empowered me to take meaningful action for a more sustainable future.
Hazza Alnofli
I was truly honored to be one of the 10 finalists at the Hackathon. Working on an app that can make a real difference in people's lives was an amazing experience. Code4Climate taught me so much about teamwork, problem-solving, and how technology can create real change. It was challenging, inspiring, and something I’ll never forget. I’m especially grateful to the Youth 4 Sustainability team for supporting Saif and me throughout the competition—your encouragement meant the world to us.
Kareem Ibrahim
Reflecting on my journey with the Y4S program as a member of the 2023 cohort, it's been nothing short of transformative. The program exposed me to remarkable events like COP28, meetings with the German embassy and the UAE, and visits to places like Masdar City, leaving a lasting impact on my commitment to sustainability. From a regular high schooler, I've evolved into a contributor/author and columnist, currently ranked in the top 70 on the author list of prominent European sustainability newsletters. Y4S not only provided unique opportunities but also developed my skills in pitching, cognitive abilities, and networking, playing a crucial role in my growth and achievements. I’m grateful for the incredible journey and the chance to contribute meaningfully to the discourse on sustainability!
Khalid Mohammed Alblooshi
The I4C challenge was one of the best experiences during Y4S. From forming the groups to the execution at COP28, the I4C challenge has brought out both our leadership and teamwork skills. For me, it has shown me how youth from all over the world have a similar goal: to live to our fullest potential whilst living sustainably. I4C is a great challenge to push young people to be both creative and realistic in providing solutions to tackle climate change.
Maryam Al Moosawi
Joining the Youth 4 Sustainability platform was a fantastic experience. It offered me practical insights and allowed me to meet and collaborate with others who are equally enthusiastic about driving positive change.
Mohammed Bawazir
Participating in the I4C challenge was a transformative experience. Leading a diverse team in their free time to propose and structure a tech-based solution to combat climate change was both challenging and rewarding. The opportunity to pitch our idea at COP28 and win was incredible, allowing us to share our vision with global experts and enthusiasts. I encourage anyone passionate about climate action to engage in this challenge—it’s a unique platform to turn innovative ideas into impactful solutions.
Nicolas Mauricio Cuadrado Avila
The Innovate 4 Climate challenge was a truly unique experience for me, marking my first steps into entrepreneurship. As the team leader of Terra, a group of young innovators tackling the shortage of EV charging stations in the UAE, I felt we had everything we needed to succeed from the knowledge gained through the Y4S app to numerous sessions with our mentors. As one of the finalist teams, we had the incredible opportunity to pitch our project at COP28 in the Masdar Pavilion, an experience unlike any other. If you get the chance to participate in Innovate 4 Climate, remember it's not just another task, it's an excellent opportunity to create something impactful for our planet!
Tamara Stojkovic
The Y4S program was instrumental in shaping my journey to launching my sustainable startup Yello. It provided invaluable insights into sustainability and connected me with like-minded individuals, helping me grow both personally and professionally.
Zein Altawil