This essay was written by Nma Dhahir, age 21, from Iraq in response to the 2024 Global Voices Essay Contest in the Middle East and North Africa. Nma was awarded second place for this entry.

When the world revolves, it faces new complex challenges. These challenges call for bold and sustainable solutions. At the heart of this quest for change is a gray area that is quite important in every society; it is the young generations—youths. The unique role that we as young people play is important for our communities, our nations, and the world. And this is undeniable as we will rule the communities, the nations, and the world one day in the future. From local to international stages, youths are driving change with innovations, ideas and fresh perspectives. 

Kurdistan has long been the cradle of innovation, rich with potential and forward-thinking ideas. With its deep historical roots and potential for advancement, Kurdistan has been a grapefruit of the Middle East. As I reflect on our roles as the youngsters of Kurdistan and Iraq in general, I can't help but think of my own journey—how everything has unfolded with all its ups and downs and changes in vision.

Growing up in Kurdistan, I witnessed both the resilience and struggles of my people from a very young age. I saw firsthand the weight of political instability, war, ISIS, and discomfort. I saw how limited opportunities also limit the people and their dreams. Yet, in the face of all these instabilities, I also saw hope—a hope carried by the young generation around me, eager to make a difference through the thick and thin. We stood as beacons of resilience and determination, despite the barriers we faced. Leadership was what we were aiming to find through the search. However, this search was not always clear, straightforward, or easy. These challenges are not just political or economic but also deeply personal. There is an inherent pressure to succeed, to rise above all the challenges, to go beyond our family’s and society’s expectations, while still staying true to oneself.

This duality of ambition and expectation is something I’ve experienced firsthand. While I was searching for myself and laying out my future, I made a bold move. I applied for a month-long leadership exchange program in the USA, held across a few states, including Vermont, Washington, D.C, Ohio, and Utah! The decision to join did not only come from my dreams of traveling but also the thought of how it would help me develop skills and experience life outside my bubble. It was my first ever time away from home, my first time at an airport, and my first time on a plane, making it a month of countless “firsts”! Some of these also included trying new foods like sushi, attending interactive leadership workshops and networking, and being immersed in sight-seeing. 

The exchange was more than just leadership, it was a chance to gain a broadened cultural perspective and experience significant personal growth. I saw the world through different lenses and learned what it means to lead, not just in theory, but in practice. I gained a deep understanding of responsibility, accountability, and adaptability, which are crucial for navigating new environments.

Staying with a host family exposed me to two cultural perspectives. The Kurdish culture I’m brought up in is deeply rooted in traditions, emphasizing family values and continuity, while the U.S. is driven by individual opportunity and self-expression. Balancing these two cultures' outlooks taught me the importance of flexibility. The expectations from my family back in Kurdistan were ever-present. I knew they wanted the best for me, but at times, the weight of those expectations felt overwhelming. They wanted success and stability. But I wanted something more—something that aligned with my passion for helping others and contributing to a meaningful world. This tension between fulfilling family expectations and pursuing my dreams has been a constant balancing act, one every Kurdish and Iraqi youth can relate to.

Yet, it was this very struggle that deepened my understanding of leadership. True leadership isn’t just about meeting expectations—it’s about transforming them. It’s about finding a path that aligns personal passion with a vision for the greater good. The realization became even more apparent when I got back to Kurdistan. Here, I became deeply involved in initiatives focused on poverty, child welfare, and climate actions. I worked with vulnerable communities- distributing essential supplies in underserved areas, organizing educational sessions for children, and promoting climate action. These opportunities allowed me to witness the power of community-based change, specifically when young people drive innovation within society.

Amidst everything happening in Kurdistan, I decided to leave and went to another country, another city, and another neighborhood and called it “my new home”. I went to Lebanon to start my undergraduate studies in Nutrition. Yet on another adventure all by myself, I wanted to learn more. Lebanon had just had the most destructive events in their history; I went right after the 2020 explosion! I knew Kurdistan lacked educational opportunities as by the time I moved to Lebanon, nutrition was not offered as a university major in Kurdistan! It was an extremely hard decision I had to make, to leave everyone and everything behind and start a new life elsewhere with nothing, but I knew it was important to reach my goal of working closely on raising nutritional awareness and promoting healthy lifestyles.

The second I landed in Lebanon, all my fears were overcome with hope and happiness. On my way to the “new home”, I realized I made the right choice when my taxi driver told me, “Welcome to the Switzerland of Middle East my love!”

As I’m writing this, I can say youths are very capable of doing anything they put their minds to. Overcoming war, limited resources, and loneliness can empower us to overcome obstacles and lead with vision and impact.