*Groundbreakers* Circles That Never End: How One Conversation Sparked a Global Leadership Journey
A young leader reflects on virtual exchange, cross-cultural-dialogue, and the power of connection.
Authored by Amr Elattar, an alumnus of the Soliya Connect Program, which was supported by the Stevens Initiative at the Aspen Institute.
This piece is part of CRG’s June Global Youth Leadership series, spotlighting young leaders shaping change today.
It all began with a course at the U.S. Embassy in Egypt – just another step in my learning journey, or so I thought. After the course ended, I received an unexpected invitation: to join a virtual exchange session with Soliya Global Circles on freedom of speech. Curious, I accepted. That one session changed everything.
At first, it felt strange – faces from across the globe, opinions so different from my own, and conversations that danced between cautious and bold. But there was something real in the space we created. Walls fell. Ideas flowed. When the session arrived at its end, I really didn’t want it to finish. So, I didn’t let it end.
Driven by that spark, I enrolled in Soliya’s Intro to Facilitation course. I passed. Then I moved on to the Advanced Facilitation training. Again, I passed. Then came the practicum where theory met reality. I’ll never forget the first session I led. I was a bit anxious, of course. But then, something magical happened. The group clicked. Discussions became heartfelt. We weren’t just participants, we were a family. One of the participants said, “I was introverted...but no longer.” That instance continues to ring in my mind. When the last session was over, I did not enjoy bidding farewell. I never do. But I wished them well and meant it deeply.
We weren’t just participants, we were a family.
Some of us stayed connected, becoming real friends beyond the screen. One connection sparked another, and before I knew it, I wasn’t just part of a program. I was part of a movement. Thanks to this journey, I was honored with a volunteer award called “Dynamic Master.”
But the real reward was something greater: knowing I helped create a space where people felt heard, seen, and transformed. Virtual exchange isn’t just a screen with talking heads. It’s a circle that never really ends. It’s a gateway into leadership, into empathy, into global friendship.
And for me, it began with one simple invitation.
Amr Elattar is a Petrochemical Engineer interested in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. He conducts courses in AI, helping others develop technical and analytical skills while fostering innovation and problem-solving. Amr also participated in the Soliya Connect Program, supported by the Stevens Initiative at the Aspen Institute, where he engaged in cross-cultural dialogue and collaboration with peers from different backgrounds.