Reem Almuraikhi ‘11 and Yasmeen Yusuf ‘20 are key players in the youth-led climate movement in Bahrain. In September, they worked together to organize the Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) in partnership with the Bahrain Science Center for Sustainable Development Goals.

The event engaged and educated youth about the pressing issue of climate change and its implications for Bahrain. The 26 youth who attended learned essential knowledge about youth and the environment. There were also insightful talks by Dr. Reem Almealla, a renowned marine biologist and the founder of Nuwat for Environmental Research and Education, and Dr. Fernanda Lonardoni, the Head of Country Programme at UN Habitat-Arab States.

The final output of the conference was a statement to global leaders calling for decisive action on climate change. This statement will be presented at the 18th UN Climate Change Conference of Youth (COY18), which will take place in the United Arab Emirates in November.

Reem and Yasmeen’s efforts have ensured the representation of Bahraini youth on the world stage. Both alumni attribute their passion for social change and leadership to their experiences on the YES program. Their work is an example of how youth can make a significant impact in addressing global challenges and making proactive change.

Reem Almuraikhi (YES 2011-2012, Bahrain, placed by PAX in Cheboygan, MI)

Yasmeen Yusuf (YES 2019-2020, Bahrain, placed by ASSE in Miamisburg, OH)