My participation in the EDD’s affected my life in a multitude of ways. For starters, it laid the groundwork for the development of a network of young people from around the world whose passion and inspiration contribute positively to my life on a daily basis. It provides me with a platform that increased others’ recognition of my work, allowing me to create collaborations with various other like-minded individuals across geographical boundaries. For example, because of my involvement as a young leader, I was invited to take part in a panel discussion, by the EU’s center for political strategy. This amplified my voice and allowed me to serve as an ‘external dimension’ within the EU’s development discussion, bringing in an angle that may otherwise have not been considered.
I have also been invited to speak at other events due to the way in which the Young Leaders Program shed light on the ability of young people, myself included, to speak openly and critically about our visions for the future of the world.