Five Years of Growth, Grit, and Giving Back - My Journey with the Global Shapers Mogadishu Hub

In 2020, as I was completing my master’s degree in Development Studies, I found myself eager to engage more deeply with my community and channel my academic passion into real-world impact. That search led me to the Global Shapers Community—and to my delight, I discovered the Mogadishu Hub. Without hesitation, I applied and was thrilled to join the hub in May 2020, stepping into a network of young changemakers just as the world was navigating the uncertainty of the pandemic.

Emerging from the pandemic-induced pause of 2020 and 2021, our hub found renewed purpose and energy. In July 2022, I was honored to be elected Vice Curator, working alongside my colleague Mr. Mohamed Okash and a dedicated curatorship team. Together, we set out to restructure and revitalize the hub, making it more agile, creative, and impactful. We forged new partnerships with local organizations, secured vital grants, and, most importantly, welcomed over new emerging leaders into our community. One of our proudest achievements was launching the Rays Leadership Program, which provides leadership and career development training to high schoolers and university freshmen across Somalia—empowering the next generation with the skills to succeed. We also had the privilege of implementing the Climate Reality Project in Mogadishu, transforming ideas into tangible programs that addressed pressing local challenges.

In July 2023, I was re-elected Vice Curator, this time working with Mr. Mohamed Shidane and Mr. Mohamed Abshir. Our focus sharpened on deepening our impact: we successfully ran the Rays Mentorship Program, graduating 12 fellows equipped with essential leadership and life skills. We launched the Climate Conversations Initiative, fostering dialogue and awareness on climate change. By strengthening partnerships with local leaders, businesses, academic institutions, and civil society organizations, we amplified our reach and effectiveness, tackling complex community issues through collaboration.

July 2024 marked a personal milestone: I was elected Curator of the Mogadishu Hub, becoming the first female to lead our vibrant community. This year, our achievements have been both broad and deep. We expanded the Rays Mentorship Program, enrolling 25 new fellows in its second cohort. We empowered 90 youth through our Youth Capacity-Building Workshop on Effective Volunteerism, which included a dynamic social media campaign, foundational training, and an inspiring panel of impact stories. Our Shaper Talk, “The Power of Cinema: Shaping Society Through Stories,” brought together young leaders and community members to explore the transformative role of storytelling, featuring acclaimed screenwriter Fadumo Alimaad. This year, we also welcomed new young leaders into the hub and continued to expand our global footprint through international engagements like Shape Africa 2024 at  at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa.

As I pass the torch to the new curatorship team for 2025-2026, I am filled with confidence in their vision and capabilities. I extend my warmest congratulations to them as they step into their new roles, ready to scale the impactful work we have begun.

Concluding my active membership in the Global Shapers Community is bittersweet, but I look forward to contributing to the Alumni network and staying engaged with the broader World Economic Forum community. I wish the Mogadishu Hub and the entire Global Shapers network continued success in all future endeavors. Together, we will keep making a positive difference in the world.

Thank you for being part of this remarkable journey.