A file photo of Rawan Al-Marwani with Prince Faisal bin Khaled at the 1st Forum of Human Development 2010.

The Human Rights Commission (HRC) has appointed a 17-year-old student to lead a project on creating awareness about children’s rights.

Rawan Al-Marwani has been asked to get the views of young people, which would be used to create projects run by the HRC. She has been hosting a radio program since 2011, with topics mainly about children’s rights.

Al-Marwani said she was excited about working on the project. She had wanted to do this and other projects, but had been discouraged by people because she was not yet 18.

“I have been trying to break down this barrier. I have dedicated my life to spreading awareness about the abilities of children and the youth. It is very important to me that each individual gets an opportunity to help build a society that he or she wants to live in,” said Al-Marwani.

Al-Marwani started her self-development back in 2007 when she was only nine years old. She became the youngest Buzan Licensed Instructor in the Arab world after meeting Tony Buzan, the inventor of mind mapping, and attending his course in 2009.

Al-Marwani has spoken about children’s rights at various forums and conferences including the First Forum for Human Development in May 2010; a conference on national dialogue in March 2011; and a TEDx Dirah Women event in December 2011.

Al-Marwani is also writing a memoir scheduled for publication at the end of this year. She said her family has played a significant role in helping her over the years.

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