Zina Rafidi, a student majoring in Medicine at the Arab American University who is a volunteer with Jerusalem Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), participated in the UN Climate Change Conference COP28 held in the United Arab Emirates.
Rafidi said about this experience "I was so proud to represent Palestine in this international conference, and the experience was inspiring, whereby the conference provided a platform for dialogue, cooperation and advocacy. I feel a sense of a new obligation to defend everyone's environment and rights; particularly those who are facing different challenges from those faced by me". She also pointed out that the support provided by them as youth was not limited to logistic aspects, but their participation formed a sense of community spirit and collective identity.
In addition "Today I am more convinced than ever that the environmental justice cannot be achieved without achieving social justice and human rights."
It is noteworthy that Arab American University encourages its students to engage in different community and scientific activities at local and international levels; due to its belief in the important role played by the young generation in terms of change and development.
