In this blogpost I share the story of a good Rohingya friend, Ro Niyamot Ullah – a person to be much admired.
The story, in his words:
Today, I am truly humbled and proud to share that I have successfully completed the “Global Youth Climate Training”, a collaboration between the The Global Youth Coalition (GYC) and researchers at the University of Oxford, Oxford Net Zero, Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment – University of Oxford.
This program ran from 21 May _ 16 July, with the final session on 4 November, covering critical topics such as climate finance, geopolitics, indigenous peoples’ role, corporations’ accountability, and climate litigation. It has been an eye-opening journey that deepened my knowledge and strengthened my capacity to contribute to global climate action.
As a displaced Rohingya youth in Bangladesh’s refugee camps, completing this course was not easy.
In the camps phones are restricted, and no internet tower available in the high mountains where our tarpaulin shelters stand.
In the rain; I got wet, in the summer; I burned in the heat; in the winter, I froze in the cold.
At night, I had to go into the jungle to secretly connect zoom, because if I were found using a phone or internet, I would be punished. With no security or protection, I had to take this risk alone.
Mosquitoes bit me badly, and I even suffered from dengue fever during the course.
I wrote assignments late at night while others slept, battling exhaustion and fear.
Despite all these challenges, I did not give up. With patience, consistency, and commitment, I completed every session and assignment. This achievement is not just a certificate for me, it is proof that even in the harshest conditions, determination and hope can prevail.
“This training I received through Global Youth Climate has been a transformative experience in my life. It has not only equipped me with valuable knowledge and skills but has also given me the confidence and motivation to contribute meaningfully to global efforts in addressing climate change. As a refugee, this opportunity has been a ray of hope, a chance to grow, and a reminder that even in the face of adversity, there are organisations that value the participation of the most marginalised people like me”.
I sincerely thank the The Global Youth Coalition and the expert trainers for designing such a powerful course and for including marginalised voices like mine. Your efforts have shaped me into a stronger and more knowledgeable youth ready to work for climate justice and contribute meaningfully to global change.
While this training has been a milestone in my journey, I believe there is still much to learn and more ways to empower young people like me. I hope the Global Youth Coalition and Oxford partners will continue to expand their training programs to cover.
Ro Niyamot Ullah
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