The Flag Bearers program, a collaboration between Qatar Foundation (QF) and Wanda Group – the Chinese conglomerate and FIFA partner – has seen 170 inspiring young people from QF carry the FIFA flag at 32 matches throughout The FIFA Arab Cup tournament.

The program has involved young people aged 12-17 from QF schools and enrolled in QF community programs who are dedicated to making a positive impact on themselves, their communities, and the world.

Abdulla Hilal Al Muhanadi, a student at QF’s Qatar Academy Al Khor, was among the Flag Bearers and said: “I made a change in my community by encouraging young people to recognize that we can be leaders, or have a role as I did by being a Flag Bearer in the Arab Cup.”

“We can all make a change in our community if we unite as one, not only by our actions, but with our hearts and minds,” he added.

Fellow Flag Bearer Rawda Al Qassabi, who is a student at Qatar Academy Doha under QF’s Pre-University Education – is part of the school’s sustainability-focused Activists in Action group, and said: “I have dedicated myself to supporting a ban on single-use plastic bags in Qatar – to make change in the environment tomorrow, we need to start making change today.”

Omer Abdulaziz Al Rashad, who is a member of QF’s basketball program and a part of The Flag Bearers Program, said: “My coach has described me as a leader, able to communicate and demonstrate what is being asked of me, and I truly believe I can be a pillar in my community.”

Zaid Rasool, 13, who is enrolled in QF’s swimming program, is another inspiring young person who has been selected as a Flag Bearer, said: “I collect used batteries from my compound and deposit them in a reliable collection center in Doha. I am doing this to reduce the toxic effects on the environment.”

Ali Gharib, 16, who studies at QF’s Qatar Academy for Science and Technology, was also chosen from QF’s ecosystem. “I represented Team Qatar Internationally in the FIRST Global Challenge– a robotics competition where one team from each country competes in solving real life issues through robotics and STEM,” he said.

Shifa Anwar, a member of QF’s Ladies Only Basketball Program who is also part of her school council and the Model United Nations initiative, said: “I consider myself to be a good and friendly team player who can make commitments, which is shown through my commitment to school clubs, as a member of the QF ladies’ basketball team, and the way I have started to develop sports clubs with my friends.”

QF’s Students of Change campaign reflects both Wanda Group and QF’s commitment to bringing change that benefits lives and societies. For QF, this means to redefine what learning can be by pioneering new and progressive approaches to education; providing opportunities to all, from researchers and innovators to those who want to be active citizens to realize their potential to make change by building and evolving a diverse ecosystem for everyone.

Applicants to be Wanda FIFA Flag Bearers, or members of the community who wanted to nominate outstanding students, outlined what they believe being a Student of Change means and how they aim to be one, through their personal growth and skills development, and how they look to challenge perceptions and stereotypes.

For more information on the Students of Change campaign and to be part of the QF community, please visit the QF Website.

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