Esra’a is the young Executive Director behind the non-profit ’web-olution’ MidEast Youth. Esra’a grew her project from a dorm room idea into a globally recognized social platform.

MidEast Youth uses the power of the internet to bring social change and freedom of expression to the youth of the Middle East. More than 21 countries from the region are represented, along with 8 religions which makes it “the most diverse platform for intellectual dialogue in the Middle East.”

Why are you doing this?
I’m doing this because I want the next generation to grow up in societies where human rights in all their forms are respected and tolerated. I cannot allow myself to be surrounded with injustices while doing nothing about it. The work that I do is my responsibility - we all have a responsibility to fight for our rights and the rights of others.

What do you hope to achieve?
I want for my projects to help change people’s lives for the better. I want to achieve justice for people whose rights are abused on a daily basis.

How long have you been working on this?
4 years, but I have been thinking about it all my life.

When did you start traveling?
At the age of 3.

How and why did you travel for the first time?
It was by car to visit family in Saudi Arabia.

In what places have you lived and what languages do you speak?
Bahrain and Switzerland (for schooling.) I speak Arabic and English. Learning many others but in no way fluent. Would consider French to be a third language.

What’s your favorite city so far?
Tehran.

If you could only take one item with you to travel the world (other than your passport), what would it be?
Laptop.

What is the most interesting discovery you have made since starting this project?
Historical details of ethnic and religious minorities in the region.

Where do you see this project in 10 years?
Globally recognized platform for cyber activism in the Middle East.

Give us your global nomad profile:

window or aisle? window

boat or plane? plane

train or bus? bus

walk or bike? bike

metro or trolley? metro

tropical, temperate, polar? temperate

hotel, hostel or local’s apartment? local’s apartment

must have fashion piece when traveling? does my flip camera count? it’s quite fashionable

explore/map or tour guide? explore/map