Q: Tell us a few things about your country, and also your life's story!

Sudan is a country located in the northeastern part of the continent of Africa, Sudan is the second largest African country after Algeria, and the sixteenth at the level of the world. Sudan gained independence in January 1956, Sudan has extended borders with seven countries: Egypt, Libya, Southern Sudan, Chad, Central Africa, Ethiopia, and Eritrea. The population of Sudan is about 40 million Sudan has suffered the longest civil war in Africa in more than 50 years and ended in 2003 with a peace agreement between the government in the north and the rebels in the south. The most important repercussions of the agreement were the secession of southern Sudan in 2011 Sudan has also witnessed the civil war in Sudan's western Darfur region since 2003. The war has seen major human rights abuses and war crimes that have prompted the ICC to request an arrest warrant against the president of Sudan and other government and rebel officials for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Sudan has been subjected to economic sanctions by the United States since 1999, and these sanctions have had a significant negative impact on the lives of citizens in all fields and made Sudan a country isolated from the world Sudan is a country rich in natural resources, but problems, wars, corruption and political instability have made Sudan one of the worst countries in the world Sudan has a very large cultural and ethnic diversity. The number of tribes and ethnic groups exceeds 700 I am the eldest son of a family of eight. My father works as an administrative officer. Our origins are in the Darfur region of western Sudan I spent about 10 years in Darfur, moved with my family in 2001 to the capital Khartoum I have more than six years of experience in the administration, executive, and voluntarism positions; I had earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Khartoum. Now I am MSc student at Necmettin Erbakan University in Turkey. while, I am a volunteer as Innovation Spaces coordinator at Arab Innovation Network, as well as my position as HR Assistant at European
Centre for Economic Studies of the Arab Orient - ECESAO.

I have a career experience in several sectors such as telecommunications, energy, banking, research centers, and hospitality, I worked as a professional employee in many positions like HR, quality, and administrative development, supervision, assistant, coordination and product development. I have a high academic distinction. I had a bachelor's degree - honours - in business administration from the University of Khartoum in 2014. In 2017 I got three scholarship offers for master's degree. In Italy with a partial scholarship, a full scholarship by the African Union to study the Master of Governance and Regional Integration in Cameroon, and full scholarship by the Turkish government to study Master of Business Administration in Turkey. I love voluntarism and community service, I am working as a volunteer since 2006 in many local and international organizations, and I am a co-founder of many community organizations and voluntary initiatives. I have a strong passion for empowerment youth. I have an ambition and a strong aspiration to be someone contributor strongly to achieving the sustainable development goals (SDG's) because I believe these goals it's the basis for building a better and more civilized world. It covers all aspects of our lives, so I took these goals as part of my goals in life. I work, and I will work on supporting these goals, especially issues of youth empowerment and education. Because we have a commitment towards our world and future generations.

Q: What is your view of the world as it is today? And how do you define the concept of a better world?

For me, the world has become a bad place to live, wars, problems, pollution, terrorism and other manifestations of non-life are spread all over the world.

The world is today like a jungle, the strong eat the weak. The goals of sustainable development have not yet been achieved. Many people feel a better world is peace on earth. While I hold to that belief, A Better World is about identifying and creating the important dynamics for human interactions needed to support that world. What are these dynamics? For me, they might include how we think, our values, our behaviours, and the skills we need to develop meaningful and healthy relationships.

The most important thing to make the world better is to recognize that we are all engaged in the same thing, that is humanity, and that we should be treated on this basis only and not based on colour, race, nationality or other criteria of discrimination When we look at the size of our planet in this universe, we are nothing, so we must all be aware of it and live in it in the best possible way because there is nothing worthy of all that is happening in our world today What I hope, and I dream is that the world is one state, everyone has the freedom to move anywhere without restrictions or barriers, and the world will be a better place if we respect our humanity.

Q: What are some of the key challenges in your society?

My community faces many challenges, but I think the biggest challenges are how to create a societal consensus between the components of society, my society has a great cultural and ethnic diversity, but unfortunately, there is no use of this diversity on the positive side. Tribal conflicts are one of the issues that have impoverished Sudanese society, torn it apart, and spilt the blood of many innocent people. More than a quarter of a million people, with more than 2 million to 500,000 displaced in just three years The most difficult issue facing the Sudanese society is poverty. It is a social problem that affects all aspects of life and is becoming increasingly dangerous. The problem was exacerbated in the 1990s, so poverty is the main factor in social problems in Sudanese society.

Q: As a young individual what are a few of the hurdles that you had to overcome up until today?

The most important obstacle was how to get a good education and get a job. The economic siege imposed on Sudan has affected all sectors, including education Since I come from a developing country, there are many problems that I face like the other youth, but I think the two biggest problems are: lack of freedoms and corruption. The lack of freedoms affects social and professional life. our voice and opinion will not have any meaning, the disaster is even our suggestions will not be taken as a solution to the problems facing us. Thus, all the solutions are either useless or less efficient and effective, because each era has its own circumstances and every generation understands its time better than previous generations. This matter seems to me it is not clear to policymakers and our officials. Corruption is like cancer, its presence affects all aspects of life socially, politically and economically ... etc., The danger is a whole generation could arise under this corruption, I am afraid someday this corruption would be normal in our society.

Q: Why is the role of a mentor important for you?

The role of a mentor important for me because I believe it can strongly contribute to building my future pathway. I think this mentorship could help me in mastering concepts related to leadership, youth empowerment... etc. in a more practical manner, especially it depends mainly on direct guidance by experts and professionals. In my opinion, the main gain is a chance to discussing rising issues in peacebuilding, leadership, youth development and develop strategies to address the challenges and identify the opportunities that can benefit young people I believe this mentorship is great chance to do some self-enrichment, learn new things, and be inspired to continue my support in the empowerment of youth to build a more developed society.

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!

Faris Al-Nour is the founder and president of Mojaddidon - Sudan. One of five people, the Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, award him "Hopemakers" prize. The organization succeeded in providing food to children after their attention to the responsibility of hunger in the phenomenon of dropping out of education in Sudan.

Q: What are some of the challenges that women in your country face and what efforts are made towards gender equality?

I think that the first of these challenges is the woman's view of herself. I do not want to start with cultural heritage, societal outlook, legislation, and laws - although important - I think the biggest challenge is women's self-concept. Reforming this woman internally means that there is no reform or challenge without a woman's awareness of her rights, of her power, of her potential, of her ambitions, and her self-esteem is higher, Thus, women, when they do not appreciate themselves and do not appreciate their social role, represent a major obstacle, even if there are laws that do justice to women.

There are countless problems such as:
• Harassment
• inequality
• Early marriage
• Lack of effective participation in all fields
• Lack of freedom
• And others

For me, there are no serious efforts to solve these problems. Even the available solutions are not sustainable solutions.

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?

Prof. Fatima Abdel Mahmoud, present chair holder of the UNESCO Chair for Women and Technology, located in Khartoum, (Sudan), hosted by "Sudan University for Science and Technology. She took the initiative to create the UNESCO Chair and has assumed the responsibility as its director general since its inauguration in 2003 in presence of Mr. Koichiro Matsura, Director General of UNESCO. Prof. Fatima has a rich and varied career path. Her formal education is in the field of health and throughout the years, she has held various positions in the Sudanese government and has resided as member and president of many civil societies. She has also served, founded and led many NGOs including the Sudanese "National council for social welfare", the "Peace and Friendship Solidarity Council" and the "Nuba Mountains Women's Organization".

Furthermore, she has established organizations such as the "SOS International Village" in 1976 the "Abu Halima Social Development Center" and many women development centers in Khartoum and surrounding towns. Prof. Fatima has been listed in UNESCO publication entitled "Women and UNESCO", published in 2007, as one of sixty eminent women associated with UNESCO in various fields and capacities. She is a focal point for Africa GAB and TWOWS in Sudan.

Q: Share with us a phrase, a poem or a story that you love or you find interesting!

work for your life as if you'll live forever, and work for your hereafter as if you'll die tomorrow.

Q: Tell us one thing that you have learned from your mentor.

If you want success you should surround yourself with positive people