Written by APF Pakistan Virtual Fellow (2023) Omaer Naeem

As part of the American Pakistan Foundation fellowship, I worked with the Atlantic Council South Asia Center’s (SAC) Pakistan Initiative, a D.C.-based nonpartisan thinktank specializing in political, security, and economic issues. I was offered the chance to engage in much needed research into the role youth can play in addressing climate change in Pakistan, culminating in an issue paper, while strengthening my professional skills in communication, data analysis, and event coordination & planning.

Aside from functional growth, I had the opportunity to learn and engage with climate change leaders directly, contributing to my own personal growth.

 THE ATLANTIC COUNCIL

 My portfolio at the SAC covered a multitude of issues including security, economic policy, and climate change. The team at the Council was extremely welcoming and receptive to my ideas, which were oriented towards addressing the demographic dividend in Pakistan as a potential lever of change in the movement to address climate change. Climate change is the biggest existential threat to us all – the sooner we work towards addressing it, the better.

 I joined the SAC at a time of transition. With no full-time director, the assistant director transitioning to a new role, and the assistant working remotely, I was worried about what my summer would look like. That being said, my onboarding experience was as robust as possible to teach me the nuts and bolts of how a think tank operates on the day to day. With the effective mentorship I received, I was able to adjust quickly. From social media engagement, to editing white papers, and event planning, I felt prepared to address the SAC’s needs.

 Aside from functional growth, I had the opportunity to learn and engage with climate change leaders directly, contributing to my own personal growth.

MY PROJECT

 My research project makes the case for Pakistani youth-leadership in climate adaptation initiatives, offering critical context into the state of climate change in Pakistan, the current role of youth, and suggestions on how to center youth in climate adaptation initiatives.

 When writing my issue paper, I wanted to contextualize my suggestions and commentary through the actual experiences of Pakistani youth and climate change leaders. So, I leveraged the SAC’s extensive network in Pakistan to connect and have conversations with Pakistani climate change organizers, activists, and youth. As someone deeply invested in climate change and solution building, these conversations invariably expanded my perspectives and built connections I foresee relying on in the future.  As a result, I was able to offer more comprehensive suggestions that directly spoke to needs on-the-ground.

 As a Pakistani American, I find it imperative to recognize my role in building stronger bridges between Pakistan and the US. This unique identity is a strength and must be seen as so. I spoke with representatives from the U.S. Department of State and USAID to gain further perspective into the US-Pakistan relationship and opportunities for further engagement. I am deeply invested in the future of both countries, and engaging on climate change offers the two an opportunity to critically reassess how the relationship operates.

THE APF EXPERIENCE

Working with the APF gave me the opportunity to convert my interests and passions into something tangible that meaningfully engages the communities I identify, while addressing our generation’s most dire challenge. The APF gave me a community to fall back and rely on – I am excited to pay it forward as I move on.