As a grantee of the Youth for Peace: UNESCO Intercultural Leadership Programme, Teenah is part of a global community of young leaders working to advance dialogue, inclusion and understanding across cultures.
Her motivation to join the programme came from a desire to connect with others who share the same vision. “For me, it’s about finding the people who share the same passion as me, like making this world a better place,” she says.
Teenah’s personal motto reflects her approach to leadership: “to leave this world better than I found it.” She believes leadership is about creating meaningful impact.
“The real meaning of leadership is to be able to positively influence lives,” she explains. “If we can make the life of at least one person better and inspire others to do the same, then it will create a ripple effect that brings positive transformation.”
Through the Youth for Peace Programme, Teenah found a space where young people from different backgrounds could unite around a shared purpose.
“This Programme is amazing because it unites so many youngsters from around the world, young leaders who have this passion through their ideas and projects, to make the world a better place.”
Her project, “The Case Study of Mauritius: Rich in Migration History and the Living Example of Unity in Diversity – With the Advent of Technology: The Harbinger of Doom or the Binding Tool to Harmony”, was selected and supported through a grant for its contribution to intercultural dialogue and peace.
The project explores Mauritius’ history as a multicultural society shaped by migration, while looking at challenges to peaceful coexistence.
Mauritius: a living example of unity in diversity
Teenah’s work draws from Mauritius’ history of migration, slavery, indentured labour and the journeys of communities that shaped the island’s identity.
“Mauritius is not just rich in history, but in experiences from the lives and history of our ancestors who come from different parts of the world,” she says. “Their trajectories, cultural and religious backgrounds have shaped the society of Mauritius and who we are today living unity with diversity.”
For Teenah, Mauritius’ strength lies in the way different histories have come together.
“Wherever it is, from Africa, India, Asia, Europe and different other parts of the world, I believe that our history is rich. Even though constituted through migration, we say today with assurance that we’re not migrants, but Mauritian.”
Through her project, she explores both the beauty and challenges of multicultural societies.
“The project revolves around embracing and appreciating the beauty of our history and what our ancestors brought us, while also exploring the challenges people still face in living their identity, especially among youths trying to find their identity in the multicultural society they have inherited.”
These challenges include discrimination, inequalities and misinformation, which can be amplified by technology.
“Social media can create exclusion, and the use of technology can either be a bridge or create more divides,” she says.
Her ambition is to transform technology into a tool for connection through dialogue, storytelling and learning. As part of the project, Teenah’s short film has now been launched and is being projected in schools across Mauritius, creating opportunities for young people to reflect on history, identity and unity in diversity.
“The project serves to explore all this and even more, to see how to amplify our voices, popularize our stories, especially the stories of our ancestors who brought us together, to harness intergenerational intercultural dialogue and ensure that unity in diversity continues to thrive.”
Building spaces where every voice is heard
Teenah believes intercultural dialogue starts by recognizing the value of every story.
“UNESCO is doing an amazing work already, and I believe that embracing the diversity of voices matters – inclusion, especially of voices across generations, from youths to women to older people, matters even more.”
She is convinced that peaceful societies are built through communication.
“The definition of peace begins from within,” she explains. “The moment we feel inner peace, then we can spread that peace to others.”
Her message to young people is simple: “speak, talk, make your voice heard, share and embrace each other.”
“Let us create that safe place where we feel seen and heard.”
“Your voice matters, so don’t be scared to speak up and share your story. Your story might inspire and change the lives of so many around you and beyond.”
READ MORE: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/how-unesco-youth-peace-grantee-building-bridges-through-stories-mauritius
