Show and tell: My op-ed journey
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Who I am: Ahmed Elmoursi, a physician and MPH45 candidate at Harvard Chan School
What I created: I recently published an opinion piece that proposes creating training academies for young people in low- and middle-income countries to close the skills gap and bridge school and work.
Why it matters: Poor access to education and limited employment opportunities have left many young people in many low- and middle-income countries feeling hopeless. In search of a better life elsewhere, more than 22,000 migrants died between 2014 and 2021 while crossing the Mediterranean Sea. Training academies like those I proposed could stem the immigration crisis and save the lives of thousands of young people in low- and middle-income countries.
What I learned: Effective science communication is an integral part of being a public health leader. In writing my op-ed I learned how to engage a wider audience and readers using statistics, credible organizations’ reporting, and historical evidence that supports my main argument. I also learned the importance of leaving your audience with a single, powerful call for action—in this case, one which will help millions of young people across the world.
