Rooted in Kabul, Growing Global: Ahmad Naseer Fazel UPG Sustainability Leadership Story

About the Program: UPG Sustainability Leadership

The UPG Sustainability Leadership Program is an initiative by United People Global (UPG), in collaboration with the Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership (USA). The program empowers emerging leaders with practical tools, deep knowledge of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the mindset needed to lead sustainable change within their communities.

Each year:

• 500 candidates are selected for a 9-week intensive online training

• The top 60 performers are invited for a fully funded, in-person #UPGSustainability Pilgrimage on Hurricane Island in the USA

With its rigorous selection process and life-changing curriculum, the program stands as one of the most impactful global leadership initiatives today.

A Transformational Journey: Fazel’s Experience

“This wasn’t just a training; it was a transformation. I didn’t just learn about the SDGs I learned how to act on them. The UPG journey taught me to lead with compassion, collaborate with purpose, and turn ideas into impact.”
— Ahmad Naseer Fazel

Selected for the 2025 cohort, Ahmad Naseer Fazel embraced every challenge and opportunity the program offered. Over nine weeks, he committed to more than 8 hours per week of immersive learning engaging in live sessions, recorded content, assignments, quizzes, and global discussions.

The curriculum was both wide-ranging and profound, covering:

• Positive citizen leadership
• Non-violent communication
• Mental health and emotional resilience
• Project planning, fundraising, public speaking
• Global sustainability issues aligned with all 17 SDGs

The experience brought Fazel into a vibrant global classroom where cultural differences became strengths, and collaboration crossed borders.

The Power of Tribe

Every UPG leader is placed into a Tribe a small peer group designed for teamwork, support, and shared learning. Fazel’s tribe (SustainGlobal-Tribe-43) became more than a project team; it became a family of changemakers, pushing each other to grow, reflect, and lead with intention.

Weekly Tribe meetings became a highlight of his journey spaces where diverse voices came together to shape common solutions for a better world.

Real Impact: A Project for the Community

As part of the program’s final certification, Ahmad designed and implemented a local sustainability project focused on:

• Empowering girls through access to learning, leadership, and opportunity

• Providing Access to Education for vulnerable families children

He also conducted a Mini-Training, empowering others in his community with the knowledge and tools gained through UPG.

This hands-on experience turned theory into practice and helped build Fazel real-world model of sustainability in action. Standing in front of local youth, trained as a global leader but rooted in community values, he felt the full weight and joy of meaningful leadership

Lessons That Last a Lifetime

The journey taught him that:

• Leadership is not a title it’s a responsibility.

• Sustainability is about more than the environment it’s about people, dignity, justice, and the future.

• True impact comes from working together, with heart and purpose.

He credits sessions on storytelling, facilitation, ethical leadership, and systems thinking as critical to his transformation—not just as a professional, but as a person.

The Dream Ahead: Hurricane Island Pilgrimage

For the top 60 UPG Leaders, a life-changing experience awaits: a week-long, in-person leadership module at Hurricane Island, USA. Ahmad is proud to be among those eligible and awaits final selection. Regardless of the outcome, he already considers the journey a victory.

The pilgrimage includes:

• Workshops in the heart of nature
• Ecosystem exploration
• Real-world project collaboration
• Building lifelong connections with global leaders

To represent Afghanistan in this arena would be both an honor and a responsibility one that Fazel is ready for.

A Message to Youth, Especially in Afghanistan

“To every young person reading this: your background does not define your future. No dream is too big, and no effort is too small. If you believe in change start with yourself. Apply, show up, learn, and lead. The world is waiting for your voice.”
— Ahmad Naseer Fazel

Fazel urges Afghan youth especially young women and girls to step forward. To believe in their potential. To seek out programs like UPG and become global citizens who lead change from the ground up.

Gratitude and Ongoing Commitment

Fazel expresses heartfelt thanks to:

• United People Global for creating this transformative platform

• Girls Toward Leadership for supporting his vision and journey

• His community, for believing in him every step of the way

This is not the end it’s a new beginning. He now moves forward, committed to continuing his advocacy, launching community projects, mentoring youth, and leading with heart.

“When you learn, teach. When you get, give.”
— Maya Angelou

We are honored that Ahmad Naseer Fazel is part of our Girls Toward Leadership family and congratulate him for representing our values, our mission, and our nation with strength and purpose.