UPG Viewer

26 Years Old

Morocco

Male

Yes! That is really who you are!

Zakaria El Kanouni is a youth platform manager, social activist, and project manager with Global Shapers. Based in Casablanca, Morocco, he leads the Platform of Youth Oum Rabii, empowering young people through skill-building, entrepreneurship, and innovative workshops. His initiative, Zho With Who, which focuses on mental health and soft skills, was selected by the Melton Foundation’s Global Solvers program as one of the MENA region representatives. Zakaria is also the co-founder of KidoGeek, a startup democratizing technology education.

Zakaria was chosen as a 2024 Stevens Initiative Alumni Fellow, further highlighting his commitment to cross-cultural exchange and youth empowerment. He is also an active member of the Youth Policy Center, YOUNGO, and various NGOs. Recognized for his leadership and impact, Zakaria’s contributions include KidoGeek’s nomination for the Women in Tech Global Awards 2024. His work integrates strategic planning, social impact, and innovation, inspiring change locally and globally.

I possess a unique combination of strengths that make me highly capable of being a UPG Sustainability Leader. With strong leadership skills, I have successfully managed initiatives that empower young people and promote sustainability, guiding teams and projects with a clear vision. My ability to collaborate with diverse groups, from local communities to international organizations, allows me to build impactful partnerships that drive collective action. I am skilled in strategic thinking, which helps me identify challenges and develop innovative solutions, while my excellent communication skills enable me to engage and inspire others toward sustainability efforts. I am deeply committed to creating social impact and always seek opportunities to make a difference in my community. My problem-solving abilities allow me to approach sustainability challenges with a solution-focused mindset, considering multiple perspectives to find the best approach. Additionally, with experience in capacity building, I have empowered youth with the skills needed to take meaningful action. My global perspective strengthens my understanding of sustainability on a global scale. These strengths, combined with my passion for sustainability, equip me to contribute to the UPG mission and lead efforts for lasting, positive change.

One strength I excel at is leadership, which I demonstrated during a youth entrepreneurship program I organized. The goal was to empower young people to develop sustainable business ideas. I led a team to design and deliver workshops on key topics like brainstorming, design thinking, and business model creation.

My role involved coordinating with partners, managing logistics, and ensuring the program met its objectives. I also facilitated interactive sessions, creating a supportive environment where participants felt inspired and confident to share their ideas. By leading with a clear vision and fostering collaboration within my team, we successfully equipped participants with the tools to turn their concepts into actionable plans.

This experience taught me the value of empowering others through leadership. Seeing participants gain confidence in their abilities and take steps toward their goals was incredibly rewarding and reinforced my belief in the importance of guiding and inspiring others to achieve meaningful change.

I have extensive experience as a volunteer. I’ve organized and participated in community initiatives such as environmental clean-ups, youth empowerment workshops, and educational programs. Through these experiences, I learned the value of teamwork, the importance of listening to diverse perspectives, and how small actions can create meaningful change. Volunteering has also strengthened my commitment to making a positive impact in my community.

Undergraduate: I have completed an undergraduate degree

If I were to lead a sustainability-related project, I would focus on creating a community composting and urban gardening initiative. This project would address two key issues: reducing organic waste and promoting local food production. By teaching people how to compost at home and use the compost to grow vegetables in shared urban gardens, we could reduce landfill waste and provide fresh, healthy produce for the community.

This project aligns with sustainability goals by encouraging environmental awareness, fostering collaboration, and empowering individuals to take action in their daily lives. It’s practical, impactful, and has the potential to create lasting change.

One challenge would be engaging community members and encouraging participation, as some might lack awareness or interest in composting and urban gardening. To overcome this, I would host interactive workshops, highlighting the benefits of the project, such as waste reduction and fresh produce, and use success stories to inspire involvement.

Another challenge could be securing resources, like tools and materials for composting and gardening. I would address this by partnering with local businesses, NGOs, and government programs to obtain funding, supplies, and technical support.

Lastly, maintaining long-term commitment could be an issue. To tackle this, I would establish a volunteer-led committee to oversee the project, organize regular events to keep the community engaged, and celebrate milestones to sustain motivation.

About 200 people

Yes

Zho With Who and Global shapers

My community and organizations, Global Shapers and Zho With Who, can provide strong support for my mini-training session through their networks and resources. Global Shapers offers access to a diverse group of motivated changemakers who can contribute expertise, outreach, and visibility to the session. Their collaborative spirit ensures that the session can attract participants eager to learn and take action. Zho With Who focuses on developing soft skills and mental health, creating a unique opportunity to integrate sustainability with personal growth. The initiative can help by offering its platform for the session, mobilizing participants, and fostering an environment of creativity and engagement. Together, these organizations provide the tools, audience, and support needed to ensure the training session’s success.

I Intend to send the video

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