AUS students take part in One Young World Summit in Thailand

Five students from the Student Leadership Program (SLP) at American University of Sharjah (AUS) took part in the One Young World Summit, held November 18-21, in Bangkok, Thailand. The summit was the seventh one held since its inception in 2010.

The One Young World Summit is a valuable gathering of global and national companies, NGOs, universities and other forward-thinking organizations and individuals. Delegates from 196 countries around the world formulate and share innovative solutions for important issues facing the world. They make commitments to undertake tangible actions which they aim to carry out in the following years. The summit is a groundbreaking event that offers decision-makers a powerful insight into critical global issues affecting the younger generations.

The summit addressed a wide variety of topics which included human rights, refugee rights, environment and sustainability, disability, education, and global business and energy. In addition, the delegates had the opportunity to learn more about Thai culture, initiatives by the youth in Thailand, the ASEAN forum and volunteering in the region. Delegates also had the opportunity to attend internal and external sessions which broadened their understanding of particular subjects and enabled them to interact with delegates and professionals from different fields.

"The Student Leadership Program at AUS has been participating in the One Young World Summit since 2013.," said Dr. Moza Al Shehhi, Dean of Students. "Our delegates come back with unparalleled motivation and willingness to make a positive change in their communities. We believe that the young generation is the driving force towards development, sustainability and influence. The summit is a cornerstone in identifying current global issues that they need to address, understand, measure and resolve. They are the leaders of the future and the hope for a better world," she added.

"The One Young World Summit 2015 was an amazing opportunity for me to learn and grow as an individual," said Alya Almaazmi, an electrical engineering sophomore and the UAE flag-bearer at the summit's opening ceremony. "The sessions were extremely eye opening and motivating, as they encouraged me to view things from an entirely different perspective. I was able to meet new people from across the globe. I realized that no matter how big the world is and no matter the differences, we are able to overcome everything and anything by simply joining forces and believing in one another. Unity is power."