Hoyas at QF Bring Georgetown Perspectives to ROTA Empower 2020 Youth Conference

Two Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) students were invited to take part in v-Empower 2020, an annual youth conference organized by Reach Out to Asia (ROTA), a program of the Education Above All Foundation (EAA). 

Through constructive dialogue among youth regarding their role as peacemakers and global leaders, the virtual conference aimed to build awareness, knowledge, and skills related to youth mobilization for sustainable development in the spirit of peace, inclusion, cultural diversity and understanding. The four thematic pillars of the conference were: Media & Technology; Sport & Art; Nation Building; and Environment and Climate Change.

International Economics major Kamilah Idris (SFS’22) took part in the Sports Category, where she presented a workshop titled “The Power of Muslim Female Athletes on Nation Building.” 

Through a series of interactive activities, the discussion explored the intersectionality between Muslim women, sports, and politics. 

Her presentation highlighted the impact of sports, on both the local and international level, as a tool of soft power that fosters nation building. “In the workshop I led a discussion on the issues faced by female Muslim athletes (both by those inside and outside of their communities). I also shared why female engagement in sports should be advocated for, as well as the impact female Muslim athletes could have on nation building, in terms of increasing human capital, strengthening the image of a nation on the international front, and influencing other nations to advocate as well.” 

The intersection of sports and human development is a topic that has long interested Kamilah. “My personal engagement in sports has played a major influence on many aspects of my life and has shaped me to be the way that I am today. The more I excelled, the more I began to notice that I was usually the only one of my identity on the team. “Being from Nigeria, a country with both Muslim and Christian populations that face religious conflict, and often being the only Black Muslim female on sports teams (which was not bothersome to me), allowed me to think of my identity in sports on a much larger scale.”

Noting that there was little representation of Nigerian Muslim women in competitive sports, explained Kamilah, “raises the question as to why there are not more like me appearing on the big screen.” These observations inspired her to participate in the conference. “I have long admired the Education Above All organization and their mission to provide equal opportunity in education ever since I first heard of it in my freshman year; so when Georgetown shared that EAA was seeking Youth speakers for the ROTA Empower conference, I was excited to submit my idea to be a part of the conference and was extremely delighted to learn that my presentation had been chosen to be a part of the conference.”

International Politics major Khushboo Shah (SFS’22) was also selected to present a workshop titled “Nation Building: The importance of community and creativity in times of crisis.” The v-Empower 2020 conference, which was held online under the theme “Youth Mobilization for Inclusion, Peace and Security,” took place July 15 to 19, 2020.