On August 18, 2024, the Afghan participants successfully completed the two courses of the “Young Leadership in Action” program, the first of its kind by Simurgh Academy.
Over the past year, participants engaged in two courses, each structured around three intensive modules lasting 3 to 5 days. Across these modules, including a combined third module for both courses, participants intensively practiced key leadership topics such as value-driven leadership, effective communication and collaboration skills, storytelling for vision building, addressing wicked problems, and fostering community leadership.
The focus was on learning within the specific context of refugees in Türkiye and the complexities of Afghanistan. What started as a budding idea three years ago is now a reality. I return from Istanbul with a sense of fulfillment, gratitude, and humble pride.
Türkiye as a host for People on the Move
For centuries, Türkiye has been a refuge for diverse communities from the region. Some have built new lives here, while others remain in survival mode. Since 2011, Türkiye has hosted the largest number of refugees globally.
More than forty years ago, as a young mother, I fled the repression of the Islamic Republic in Iran. Istanbul was the first place where I cautiously began to hope for a safe future. Although the region’s circumstances have changed, suffering under dictatorships, extremism, and wars continues. Without significant change, the cycle of displacement and exile will endure.
Simurgh Academy aims to be a platform for connection, inspiration, and learning. Our goal is to empower refugees to recognize their potential and develop the skills to make informed choices and positively impact their communities.
After a year and a half of preparation, we launched the first module in August 2023 for a group of Afghan refugees in collaboration with Dr. Aliye Yilmaz, a committed leader of the Afghan community in Türkiye and one of the founders of Laciverd Yolu Research Centre. In February 2024, a second group began in Antalya, and last week, both groups came together for the final module.
These programs have offered us invaluable insights and allowed us to further refine our curriculum. I was continually inspired by the resilience, strength, and eagerness to learn shown by the motivated and talented participants. The need for programs specifically designed for the unique realities faced by “people on the move” is clear and huge.
The journey from idea to action has brought me many meaningful encounters: enthusiasm, inspiring conversations, support, and partnerships. I am deeply grateful to everyone I have met and worked with over the past three years and I especially want to thank them for their indispensable support.
Simurgh – The Conference of the Birds
We continue this journey, guided by the lessons from these first two programs. Like in the thousand-year-old poem by F. Attar, “The Conference of the Birds”, where birds searching for their mythical king, Simurgh, pass through seven valleys of insights and hardship, only to discover that they collectively hold the strength of wise leadership and truth, we will move forward, knowing that true power lies in our shared commitment.
The history of the Middle East is one of great civilizations, setbacks, and enduring hope. Those who are aware of this deep history understand that we are part of a story far greater than ourselves, one that connects past, present, and future in a continuous pursuit of resilience and renewal.
Farah Karimi
August 25, 2024
