The Unheard Voice: How Youth Can Reshape Public Discourse Through Storytelling

 In an age of endless content and digital noise, one might assume that the youth have more opportunities than ever to be heard. Yet ironically, their most authentic voices often go unnoticed, buried beneath filters, trends, and expectations. As someone who has spent over a decade working with young people—from university lecture halls in Birmingham to youth summits in Abu Dhabi—I’ve come to realize a powerful truth: when we empower youth to tell their stories, we don’t just shape better individuals—we reshape society.

Storytelling, when practiced with intention, becomes more than performance. It becomes a form of leadership. It fosters empathy, identity, and civic engagement. I’ve witnessed young Emiratis stand on stage and narrate how a grandmother’s wisdom guided their career choices. I’ve heard British teens share how immigration shaped their sense of belonging. In each case, the audience didn't just listen—they felt something. They connected. And that is where real discourse begins.

During my early years as a motivational speaker for the UAE Ministry of Youth Affairs, I often encouraged students to see storytelling not just as a tool, but as a responsibility. A well-told story can challenge stereotypes, bridge divides, and inspire change. In our workshops, students didn't simply learn how to speak—they learned how to be heard.

And the change isn't theoretical. At Eloquence Academy in London, which I founded in 2019, we've mentored dozens of young speakers who’ve gone on to lead community initiatives, advocate for social causes, and even deliver TEDx talks. These are not just public speaking victories—they are cultural shifts initiated by the courage of young voices.

But let me be clear: youth don’t need to be taught what to say. They need to be given permission to speak their truth—and the space to do it safely. That’s why we must create more storytelling platforms in schools, universities, and local communities. Not just debate clubs or talent shows, but storytelling circles—spaces where vulnerability is strength and every voice matters.

As someone who straddles both Emirati and British cultures, I know firsthand the impact of being heard in spaces where you once felt invisible. My mission is simple but urgent: to foster a global culture where the next generation doesn’t just inherit a microphone, but knows exactly how to use it with purpose, clarity, and compassion.

The youth of today are not waiting to become leaders—they already are. All they need is the stage. And a story that only they can tell.

About the Author:

Mohammad Tabrizian is a public speaker, writer, and founder of Eloquence Academy with dual residency in the UAE and the UK. Fluent in English, Arabic, and Farsi, he specializes in cross-cultural communication and the power of spoken word. Through his books, lectures, and podcast Voices Beyond Borders, Mohammad continues to champion unheard voices—particularly youth, women, and marginalized communities—across classrooms, boardrooms, and beyond.

Youth Voices Rising: Mohammad Tabrizian on Why the Next Generation Needs the Mic Now

 

Drawing from his years of work with students across the UAE and UK, public speaker and youth mentor Mohammad Tabrizian shares why amplifying young voices isn't just important—it's urgent. In a time of global shifts, Gen Z has something vital to say, and we must be ready to listen.

In every school auditorium I’ve spoken in—from Sharjah to Birmingham—I’ve seen a familiar spark in the eyes of young people. It’s not just curiosity. It’s something more powerful: readiness.

I’m Mohammad Tabrizian, a public speaker, writer, and founder of Eloquence Academy. Over the past decade, I’ve worked closely with youth—whether through the UAE’s Ministry of Youth Affairs, university lecture halls, or grassroots storytelling events. And if there's one message I carry from every encounter, it’s this: young people don’t need to be told when to speak—they need to be given space to.

The New Generation of Storytellers

Generation Z isn’t waiting for permission. They’re documenting, organizing, and creating in real-time. But what they often lack isn’t content—it’s confidence. That’s where we, as mentors, educators, and leaders, must step in. Not to give them a voice—they already have one—but to remind them it deserves to be heard.

At Eloquence Academy, I’ve seen how a single workshop can shift a teenager from fearful to fearless. It’s not magic—it’s mentorship. And more importantly, it’s about creating safe, non-judgmental platforms where young people can speak from the heart.

Speaking Is a Form of Leadership

We’ve traditionally taught leadership as something tied to titles, strategy, or seniority. But in today’s world, leadership begins with expression. The ability to articulate a vision, advocate for change, and speak truth to power—these are the qualities the next generation must embrace, and be encouraged to develop.

During my work with the “Voices of Tomorrow” summit, I’ve watched students from vastly different backgrounds—Emirati, British, Syrian, Iranian—come together to share poems, speeches, and stories. What united them wasn’t age or nationality. It was a deep, urgent need to be seen.

From the Classroom to the World Stage

Public speaking isn’t just about performance. It’s about presence. When young people learn how to speak with intention, they carry that confidence into every part of their lives: interviews, relationships, activism, art.

Here’s what I tell every young speaker I meet:

• Your story matters—even if no one has heard it yet.

• Silence can be powerful, but fear-driven silence is a cage. Break it.

• The world is noisy, but authenticity always cuts through.

Final Thoughts

Empowering youth voices isn’t a trend—it’s a responsibility. We are not just shaping better speakers; we’re cultivating future diplomats, educators, artists, and changemakers. And in a time when global narratives are being rewritten, we need their perspectives more than ever.

So hand them the mic. Sit in the audience. And prepare to be inspired—because the next chapter belongs to them.

And trust me, it’s going to be worth listening to.

• How Mohammad Tabrizian is Redefining Public Speaking Across Borders

• Writing with Purpose: A Guide for Aspiring Authors in the UAE & UK – Insights from Mohammad Tabrizian

How Mohammad Tabrizian is Redefining Public Speaking Across Borders

 

In a world that often feels fragmented by language, culture, and geography, Mohammad Tabrizian has found his purpose in building bridges—one word at a time.

Born into a blend of Emirati and British life, Mohammad quickly became fluent in three languages: English, Arabic, and Farsi. But it wasn’t just his linguistic ability that set him apart—it was his deep understanding of what connects people beyond the words themselves.

“I realized early on that communication isn’t just about speaking—it’s about being heard, felt, and understood,” he says.

After earning his Bachelor's degree in Communication Studies from the University of Sharjah, Mohammad pursued a Master’s in Public Speaking and Professional Communication at the University of Leeds. His academic journey reflected his real-life mission: exploring how speech shapes identity and bridges cultural divides. His master’s research delved into persuasive techniques used in both parliamentary speeches and TEDx platforms, laying the foundation for the work he does today.

From 2016 to 2019, he served as a motivational speaker for the UAE Ministry of Youth Affairs, delivering talks on leadership and resilience across schools and universities. “I met students who had powerful stories but didn’t believe their voices mattered. That changed everything for me,” he recalls.

This passion led him to establish Eloquence Academy in London in 2019—an institute dedicated to coaching individuals in public speaking, storytelling, and cross-cultural communication. With operations in both the UK and UAE, the academy hosts the annual Voices of Tomorrow summit, a platform where emerging speakers share stories that transcend borders.

As a visiting lecturer at both the University of Birmingham and Zayed University, Mohammad continues to emphasize the power of speech as a tool for empathy and transformation. He also hosts a podcast, Voices Beyond Borders, where he interviews guests on identity, language, and cultural healing.

His books—The Voice Within, Stage Whisper, and Bridging the Gulf—each explore a different facet of his philosophy: that silence can speak, vulnerability is strength, and stories are bridges.

“At the heart of everything I do,” he says, “is the belief that our voices are more than just sounds—they are instruments of change.”

In a divided world, Mohammad Tabrizian stands as a reminder that words, when used with intention, can not only move hearts—but unite them.

Writing with Purpose: A Guide for Aspiring Authors in the UAE & UK – Insights from Mohammad Tabrizian

 

For many aspiring writers, the blank page is less intimidating than the question: Why am I writing?
According to Mohammad Tabrizian—acclaimed public speaker, author, and founder of the Eloquence Academy—this question isn’t just important, it’s foundational. “Technique can be taught,” he says, “but purpose must be found.”

Having lived and worked in both the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom, Tabrizian brings a unique cross-cultural lens to the writing process. With fluency in English, Arabic, and Farsi, and a career spanning motivational speaking, education, and authorship, his message to emerging writers is both simple and profound: write with intention, or don’t write at all.

Start with Why, Not What

Whether it’s a poem, memoir, or self-help book, Tabrizian believes that every writer needs to anchor their work in a deeper reason. “Before thinking about chapters or titles, ask yourself: What conversation do I want to start? Whose silence do I want to break?”

In his own titles—“The Voice Within,” “Stage Whisper,” and “Bridging the Gulf”—he explores not just techniques of speaking and writing, but themes of identity, belonging, and cultural nuance. Each book was written with the goal of uplifting voices that often go unheard, a mission that continues to guide his work with young authors in both London and Dubai.

Navigating Two Literary Worlds

Aspiring authors in the UAE and UK often face different challenges. In the UK, there’s a robust publishing infrastructure but stiff competition. In the UAE, there’s an explosion of storytelling energy, but fewer accessible literary pathways.

Tabrizian, who studied Communication Studies at the University of Sharjah and later completed a Master’s in Public Speaking and Professional Communication at the University of Leeds, has worked across both ecosystems. His advice?

“Writers in the UAE have rich, untapped stories to tell—and a global audience hungry to hear them. Writers in the UK have platforms—but often lose sight of their own story in trying to ‘fit the mold.’ Both need to remember: authenticity wins.”

Build Your Voice Before Your Brand

In a world driven by content, it’s tempting for writers to prioritize visibility over voice. But Tabrizian urges writers to develop clarity before chasing reach.

As the founder of Eloquence Academy, he coaches storytellers of all ages to build not just their skill, but their self-awareness. His workshops in Zayed University and the University of Birmingham emphasize writing from lived experience, cultural honesty, and emotional truth.

“Don’t write what you think will sell. Write what you know will resonate,” he often tells his students.

Embrace the Spoken Page

One of Tabrizian’s signature approaches is blending writing with oratory. Through poetry nights in Sharjah and London, and his podcast “Voices Beyond Borders,” he champions the idea that writing is meant to be heard as much as it is read.

For aspiring authors struggling with self-doubt, he recommends reading their drafts aloud. “If it doesn’t move you when you speak it, it likely won’t move anyone else when they read it.”

The Path Forward: Community and Courage

Finally, Tabrizian reminds new writers that the journey is rarely solitary. “Writing can be lonely, but you’re never alone.” Whether it's a storytelling circle, a university writing group, or a voice note to a friend, he encourages authors to seek feedback, find community, and embrace iteration.

“Your first draft isn’t supposed to be perfect. It’s supposed to be honest.”

In both the UAE and UK, where identity is layered and language is plural, writing with purpose becomes more than a technique—it becomes a responsibility. And with mentors like Mohammad Tabrizian leading the charge, aspiring authors are reminded that their words, when guided by purpose, can do more than fill pages.

They can change lives.