Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) student Dana al-Anzy (SFS ’17) was in New York recently, where she attended the 71st session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly.
Al-Anzy, who is a youth advocate for Education Above All (EAA), was there to promote the right of access to education for children around the world.
EAA, an initiative founded in 2012 by HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, aims to build a global movement that contributes to human, social and economic development through the provision of quality education.
“My role on the team was to represent Qatari youth and indicate their active involvement through our training and projects in the field of access to education,” al-Anzy said about her participation in the recent UN meeting.
“Education alone is not enough. For it to be effective, it needs to sit alongside economic empowerment, leadership skills and psychosocial support.
This is a model unique to EAA that is not just about supporting individuals to improve their lives, but building the skills of whole communities to build a better future,” she said.
“My aim was to relay these messages continuously on a platform where political leaders and influencers existed to insist for change and action.”
Al-Anzy has been part of the EAA youth advocacy programme since her first year at GU-Q, which has enabled her to benefit from training in leadership skills, vocational skills, cultural sensitivity, project management and facilitation, to support her work with the organisation.
Over the summer, al-Anzy interned at the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations in New York.
She also participated in a General Assembly High Level Thematic Conversation, at the UN headquarters, on youth and children affected by violent extremism.