In a world where people are being divided more day by day, I got the motivation to work on issues in different corners of the world. I started with my surroundings to spread awareness but I was shocked by the responses like, “Our country already faces so many issues” or “We can’t do anything.”
Witnessing that some serious issues were being ignored made me sad and demotivated. Since when I was a kid I believed help is necessary regardless of where it is and who is getting affected. But at the same time, I started questioning myself: Is it because there are already so many issues in the world that people start to care about issues that just directly impact them?
I ignored whatever was causing this and focused on my path to work and research. I was able to connect with people on online platforms from different countries. But still, that wasn’t enough for me; I wanted to see it with my bare eyes. I wanted to see that there are people who love to work on issues that challenge humanity and the world.
And this year I was granted the privilege to participate in Yale Young Global Scholars focusing on Solving Global Challenges. At YYGS I was with people from different parts of the world with different backgrounds, beliefs, and opinions. I participated in discussions, attended lectures, and worked on the Capstone Project that connected us as participants by our differences. From mental health to renewable energies to social movements to immigration, topics that YYGS covered were really valuable for us all. I was able to explore new cultures, histories, and traditions, and together at this opportunity, we were able to connect science, humanities, and politics all to address the issues facing our world.
Through these connections, we were able to show the reality of the world within ourselves, breaking all the stereotypes by being united with each other to solve world-facing challenges. YYGS showed me how unique and beautiful our differences are, and I saw how everyone wants to help humanity regardless of the differences. Yes, there are problems everywhere if we look at it, but to solve these problems these connections always prove to me that everyone should stand for it all together.
As a representative of myself Enes, I am thankful for this opportunity and I will do my best for humanity. I believe there is always hope and hope always begins when we are united.
Author Details:
Enes Ercan Enwar Hurmuzlu
Solving Global Challenges
Iraq/Turkey