March 6th 2025
This week, we are reconnecting with a Youth Forum participant who has been actively contributing to youth-led prevention initiatives since her participation in the Youth Forum 2024. Meet Habiba Raslan from Egypt, as she shares her insights and experiences.
For readers who may not be familiar with the Youth Forum, could you provide a brief introduction of yourself and share some reflections on your experience?
My name is Habiba Raslan, and I participated in the UNODC Youth Forum 2024. The Youth Forum brings together young leaders from around the world to discuss substance use prevention and youth-led solutions. What stood out to me the most was meeting youth from different cultures and backgrounds. It was eye-opening to engage with 35 individuals from 27 different countries, each with unique perspectives, yet all working towards a shared goal. I am still in touch with many of them today.
Since participating in the Youth Forum, how has your engagement in youth prevention work evolved? Are there any new initiatives you are particularly passionate about?
Since returning home, I have continued my work with the National Fund for Drug Control and Treatment of Addiction (FDCTA) in Egypt. Additionally, I became involved with the UNODC MENA Youth Network, which includes young changemakers from Egypt, Sudan, Palestine, and other countries. Inspired by this experience, we launched the Egyptian Youth Network, bringing together young people committed to the prevention of substance use. We started with 50 members and now meet monthly to share updates and ideas on how to create a lasting impact.
You have worked alongside other young changemakers. What insights or skills have you gained from these collaborations?
When I look back specifically to my work with FDCTA, I really enjoyed working with volunteers my age as it exposed me to many new perspectives. Collaborating with other young leaders has shown me the power of different experiences and cultures, when looking to promote substance use prevention. We come from the same generation, but our backgrounds shape the way we see the world. This diversity leads to out-of-the-box ideas and helps us be more confident in proposing new solutions. It has also reinforced the importance of teamwork in achieving meaningful change.
Given the challenges young people face today, how do you think youth-led initiatives can drive sustainable change in their communities?
One of the biggest challenges is peer pressure, especially for young teenagers who are highly influenced by their surroundings. For example, if substance use is present in their home environment, it can shape their perceptions and attitudes toward these behaviours, or make them more likely to engage in these activities. At the same time, younger children—especially those under the age of 10—tend to look up to teenagers more than adults, further reinforcing the cycle of influence. This makes it crucial to engage older youth as role models who can promote positive behaviours and counteract negative influences. That’s why youth-to-youth initiatives are not only essential but can also be very productive. By creating supportive peer networks and fostering leadership among older youth, we can help shape healthier attitudes and choices within communities.
What advice would you give to young people who want to get involved in voluntary and sustainable prevention work?
Start by surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals. I have already integrated many of my friends into prevention initiatives by giving them contacts for our youth network and encouraging them to get involved in school-based activities. In fact, I suggested to my school to organize prevention activities and TED Talk-inspired sessions, which I believe would be very effective in engaging students.
I truly believe that seeing someone you know involved in prevention work can change your perspective—just as I was inspired by a former Youth Forum participant to begin my journey.
Community engagement and awareness play a key role in prevention efforts. Have you come across any creative ways to engage young people on these issues?
At the FDCTA, we recently launched an initiative using theatre and puppet performances to engage children and teenagers. For younger audiences, we use interactive puppet shows, which keep them engaged while subtly conveying prevention messages in a fun and positive way. For teenagers, we developed comedic theatre performances directed by well-known Egyptian artists. The goal is to deliver impactful messages without being overly direct—people are more likely to absorb information when it’s presented in an engaging and positive manner. We also realized that traditional media isn’t as effective for reaching youth, so we suggested shifting prevention campaigns to TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat, where young people spend their time. One of our ideas was a ‘Day in the Life’ vlog series, showcasing the daily work of prevention volunteers to make the message more relatable.
What is an important characteristic that can help young people make a meaningful impact in prevention work?
Confidence is crucial in prevention work. If a young person is passionate but lacks confidence, their message may not reach others effectively. It’s a skill that develops over time. However, there are other ways to contribute, such as writing articles or managing social media campaigns. What matters is finding a role that allows you to make a difference in a way that feels natural to you.
Finally, what message or words of encouragement would you like to share with the next generation of Youth Forum participants?
"Don’t be nervous—be confident. You will always have something to add. Everyone is here to learn. And in everything you do, try to inspire others and lead by example."
Thank you, Habiba, for sharing your reflections and inspiring experiences with us. We look forward to seeing where your journey takes you next!
