I was born in occupied Jerusalem but raised in the United States. As a young child, I didn’t understand the value or meaning of the word freedom until my family decided to return to Palestine. We took a plane, but could only make it to Jordan as Palestine is not allowed to build an airport. I asked my parents, “Why don’t we have an airport in Palestine? Why do we have to travel by air, land, and pass through checkpoints for hours just to reach home?” They told me it’s a long story. I didn’t know what that meant at the time but later realized that we Palestinians are isolated because of the severe political reality we live in as a result of the continuous Israeli occupation.
Currently, stereotypes, false news, and misconceptions that people have toward each other are countless. This leads to more walls and black clouds of fear and pessimism. Although the cultures created in countries facing conflicts are inspiring and different, we must not be afraid to talk about them. Let’s admit it. Talking is easy. We should communicate, not just talk, as it is the challenge we face in a world full of borders.
My hope is to create bridges of peace, partnerships, and prosperity between those who are closed-minded toward new perspectives because of stereotypes, and those who miss the opportunity to express themselves for the same reason. The more we break psychological boundaries and get to know each other, the more we understand our stories, our causes, and our differences. Building bridges is a way to address issues of the heart.
I envision a virtual space where everyone accepts each other, so as not to leave behind the marginalized groups suffering, especially in conflict zones. Starting with dialogue, young people can come together to share their culture, values, and inspiring stories with other people. We need a major international platform for this. I took a step toward realizing my vision by creating an Instagram account, @khaled.abuqare, which now has around 2,000 followers.
As a youth activist and diplomat, I participated in international forums, cultural exhibitions, and roundtables that focused on enhancing partnerships between youth organizations from different regions. I am also a board member for several Palestinian NGOs, which gives me access to connect our youth, culture, and heritage with others around the globe.
My dream is to give hope and motivate youth living under harsh conditions due to political conflicts. By giving them hope, they can grow stronger and solve their conflicts through loud voices. They should not be left in a corner to suffer alone. The more bridges we build, the more chances we will have for communication and dialogue, which will allow us to reduce conflicts and move forward toward peace, security, and prosperity. That’s not just my dream, but the dream of millions of young and ambitious future leaders as well. Being ignorant of others will never create peace. If this is not the time for action, then when? If not us, who? Differences between nations must be dealt with as opportunities, not just challenges. Because every challenge is an opportunity.
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