I grew up between two worlds—Finland and Palestine—two places that are completely different. I spent most of my childhood in Finland because my parents worked there, but I lived in Palestine for 2-3 months every year with my grandparents and extended family. In Finland, life was far from easy. From the age of seven, I faced relentless bullying because my father wasn’t a native Finn and because I looked different. Nevertheless, the warmth, empathy, and kindness of my family, and a handful of impactful compassionate people along my path, such as my elementary grade teacher, became my sanctuary and solace. This difficult experience fostered a sense of independence and resilience in me, and taught me the important value of “never turning away from those who are most marginalized.”
On the other hand, Palestine was filled with the harsh and violent reality of the Zionist settler-colonial occupation. My grandfather often spoke of his youth, describing nights when he would walk for hours along dangerous paths to provide food and necessities for his family. Whenever I heard these stories, my childhood worries about why I couldn’t do this or that seemed so small. Like the lemons and oranges that grew in my grandfather’s beloved little garden, the “little fruits of wisdom and love” that I received from him have become the food of my life. Navigating life between these two different homes equipped me with the creativity and adaptability to make my way in the world. In addition, my deep connection to nature and the earth, both cornerstones in Finnish and Palestinian cultures, has always shaped me.
Another event that shaped me as a person, is having experienced the tragedy of losing my dearest friend at the age of 20. Her loss, someone who was as close as a sister to me, became a turning point in my life, teaching me the importance of living in the present with love and gratitude. Still today, we encounter stigma in speaking publicly about mental health, but I dare to choose to share my loss openly. This is because I believe that by openly showing others that “even those who seem successful on the outside may face unexpected challenges.” I also want to convey that there is hope amid adversity and loss by providing an opportunity for people to feel that they are not alone. The best thing you can do is not give up. Even if that hope seems very small, I know that sometimes it has the power to move your journey forward.
I am currently working in the field of multilateralism, diplomacy, and human rights advocacy. I chose this path because of my strong desire to “uplift others.” Having grown up between Finland, where access to quality education and general safety has been the norm over the recent decades, and Palestine, where people are denied even the most basic human rights under occupation, I feel a deep sense of mission. I believe that while some structures have to be challenged from the outside, change can also be affected from within. This is why I am passionate about young people working on equity, justice, and empowerment issues globally. While my contribution might be meaningful yet limited, I am committed to creating a space for others to speak about their lived experiences.
When asked about my dream—on a personal level—it is to have a family and to become a mother. Professionally, I would like to use my experiences and expertise to create systems that support younger generations in dealing with the world that they inherit, and to support them in forecasting and paving the way in the multilateral world. I will continue to create and innovate with an open mind and a dream, just as I have done since childhood. But now, with more life experience, in terms of both challenges and opportunities, I have a better understanding centered around redirection being a blessing, and “failures” being our teachers. Therefore, I hope that you learn to trust your instincts, accept and even welcome the many things that happen in life as they are, and embrace them as divine guidance.