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.

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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.