Young People and their life skills testimonies from Iraqi Kurdistan Region

Meet Mateen Amin, 21, a physics graduate from the University of Duhok.
Through the Participatory Action Research (PAR) project, Mateen and other young people gained skills in leadership, teamwork, and research to address climate and water challenges.

Mateen highlights the issue of water wasted in car washes: “In Duhok, we don’t have a system to collect and reuse this water. After filtration, it could be saved and reused for different purposes. I hope society, government, and partners come together to make this happen.”

With support from UNICEF, the University of Duhok, and funding from the Government of the Netherlands, youth like Mateen are proving that practical ideas can create a more sustainable future. 

Meet Dezhin Shukri, 24, a recent graduate from the Department of Health Sciences – Anesthesia and Intensive Care at the University of Duhok.

Through the Duhok Youth Center, with support from UNICEF and funding from the Government of the Netherlands, Dezhin participated in life skills training, later facilitated a master training for 15 peers, and joined a 3-day advocacy workshop.

She shared: “I benefited a lot, especially on leadership, teamwork, and how to activate our mindset. Every youth needs this kind of awakening.”

Dezhin also proposed her own project idea: launching online awareness campaigns on autism, to help parents better understand and support their children. 

Young graduates like Dezhin show how skills and opportunities can spark change for more inclusive communities.

Meet Dilan Khalid, 24, a graduate of the University of Duhok – Department of Public Policy and a volunteer with the Rwanga Foundation.

Through the Duhok Youth Center, with support from UNICEF and funding from the Government of the Netherlands, Dilan joined life skills training, later facilitated a master training for 15 peers, and participated in a 3-day advocacy workshop.

She shared: “I benefited a lot, especially from the sessions on entrepreneurship and decision-making. I personally enjoy practical activities, and this was just that. I also saw many participants who were not social at first, but within a few days they became more engaged. After the life skills training, I even facilitated a master training on decision-making.”

Young people like Dilan are turning skills into action, helping shape stronger, more confident communities.

Meet Mzgin Fakhri, 24, a lecturer at the University of Duhok Polytechnic – Department of Information Technology Management.

With support from UNICEF and funding from the Government of the Netherlands, Mzgin participated in a 6-day life skills training at the Duhok Youth Center.

He reflected: “I have joined many workshops and trainings before, but this 6-day life skills training was different. It was so detailed and offered more diverse information than I had received elsewhere.”

After completing the training, Mzgin went on to facilitate a master training on decision-making, sharing his knowledge with peers.

Young leaders like Mzgin are proving that when youth are given the right tools, they can inspire change and empower others. 

Meet Qais Waadalla, 22, who holds a diploma in pharmacy and is now studying petroleum engineering.

Since childhood, Qais has been passionate about the humanitarian sector and eager to volunteer and serve his community.

Through the Duhok Youth Center, with support from UNICEF and funding from the Government of the Netherlands, Qais participated in life skills, advocacy, and youth advisor trainings.

He shared: “From this program, we learned to have a goal, to think better, and to better understand reality. Personally, I learned how to build more relationships and connections.”

Young people like Qais show that with the right opportunities, youth can turn passion into action and help shape a better future. 

Meet Ibrahim Saeid and Wajeh Abdulmalak from Shekhan district, Ninewa governorate. Both are graduates of the University of Duhok and recently participated together in the 6-day life skills training and master training on leadership at the Shekhan Youth Center, with support from UNICEF and funding from the Government of the Netherlands.

Ibrahim, who studied Political Science – International Relations and Diplomacy, said: “The part on effective communication was one of the most important and beneficial for me, as well as leadership.”

Wajeh, 23, a graduate of the Economics and Administrative Department, shared: “This training was so professional, I didn’t see any difference between the trainers here and our university lecturers in terms of quality. I also liked how teamwork was emphasized.”

Together, Ibrahim and Wajeh show how youth can build leadership and communication skills to create stronger communities.

Meet Warvin Zedo, 25, from Shekhan district, Ninewa governorate, and a graduate of Law at the University of Duhok.

Through the Shekhan Youth Center, with support from UNICEF and funding from the Government of the Netherlands, Warvin participated in life skills and master training programs.

She shared: “Through this program, I became aware of many topics, how to become leaders in our society and lives, how to have a future vision, and how to solve problems and challenges.”

Warvin also facilitated a master training for 15 participants on the negative effects of improper phone use, sharing her knowledge with peers.

Youth like Warvin are gaining the skills to lead, inspire, and create positive change in their communities.

Meet Bafrin Mustafa, 22, from Shekhan district, Ninewa Governorate, and a graduate of the College of Political Sciences in Duhok.

Through the Shekhan Youth Center, with support from UNICEF and funding from the Government of the Netherlands, Bafrin participated in life skills training and later facilitated a master training for peers.

She shared: “From the life skills training, we learned about effective communication, problem-solving, and how to be leaders — even at home, where we see how our mothers are great leaders.”

On the master training she facilitated, Bafrin explained: “I chose effective communication as my topic because it is so important in our daily lives.”

Young people like Bafrin are developing skills to lead, inspire, and make a real difference in their communities.