MASOOD AHMED

Masood was born in a refugee camp and he came home to Iraqi Kurdistan in his teens. When ISIS attacks sent people fleeing to the area, he became a humanitarian aid worker himself. He has a certificate in Computer Science from the College of Science. He is a civilian activist and also a volunteer with more than 5 years' experience working with different local and international humanitarian organizations.

“There is always hope in life”

Q: TELL US A FEW THINGS ABOUT YOUR COUNTRY, AND ALSO YOUR LIFE'S STORY!

My country is Iraq and has a long history in culture, medicine, chemistry, biology, astronomy and various parts of Iraq consists of different religions, races and nationalities (Sunnis, Shieas, Kurds, Arabs, Turkmen, Christians, Jews, and Yezidi and other).

My story is that I was born as a refugee and struggled with life difficulties, and now working in the humanitarian sector in Iraq with international aid workers to serve Iraqi displaced people to get their rights.

Q: WHAT IS YOUR VIEW OF THE WORLD AS IT IS TODAY? AND HOW DO YOU DEFINE THE CONCEPT OF A BETTER WORLD?

For my perspective, the world today is: chaos, man-made disasters and political wars are some of the most important causes of instability and insecurity among the population. I expect worse in the future if we do not advance to better conditions and spread peace in the world.

The better world is where we can feel safe and secure and where we can find peace, justice and gender equality among all nations in its different cultures, religions, ethnics, colour...etc

Q: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE KEY CHALLENGES IN YOUR SOCIETY?

There are many challenges in my society that face young people such as corruption, neglect, unemployment, war and poverty.

Q: AS A YOUNG INDIVIDUAL WHAT ARE A FEW OF THE HURDLES THAT YOU HAD TO OVERCOME UP UNTIL TODAY?

I had to overcome many obstacles and challenges such as displacement, siege, wars and psychological crisis from war and conflict in the country.

Q: WHY IS THE ROLE OF A MENTOR IMPORTANT FOR YOU?

To help me look at things differently and guide me to better define my goals and how to act with challenges and to understand things correctly and help others.

Q: DO YOU HAVE A LESSON THAT LIFE HAS TAUGHT YOU AND YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE?

Yes, I learned that there is always hope in life and you have to never give up trying!

Q: NAME A PROJECT, A FOUNDATION OR A PERSON IN YOUR COUNTRY THAT YOU THINK IS DOING GREAT WORK IN HELPING IMPROVE OTHER PEOPLE'S LIVES!

Mercy Corps - INGO & Catholic Relief Services- INGO

Q: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WOMEN IN YOUR COUNTRY FACE AND WHAT EFFORTS ARE MADE TOWARDS GENDER EQUALITY?

No important efforts made in my country toward gender equality and the challenges are still the same, such as customs, traditions, religion and backwardness...etc

Q: ATHENA40 IS THE FIRST EVER GLOBAL SELECTION OF THE TOP 40 WOMEN FORWARD THINKERS, COMMENTATORS, ACTIVISTS, AUTHORS, ACADEMICS, ENTREPRENEURS, EXECUTIVES, INNOVATORS. CAN YOU THINK OF A TRULY INNOVATIVE AND FORWARD-THINKING WOMAN FROM YOUR COUNTRY THAT YOU WISH TO NOMINATE FOR THE ATHENA40 GLOBAL LIST?

Women empowerment project - Iraq

Q: SHARE WITH US A PHRASE, A POEM OR A STORY THAT YOU LOVE OR YOU FIND INTERESTING!

“You will never fail until you stop trying” - Albert Einstein

Q: TELL US ONE THING THAT YOU HAVE LEARNED FROM YOUR MENTOR.

I have learned how to overcome work loading, stress, life challenges and also how to act as a leader and to be effective youth in my community and the world and advocate women empowerment.