Visit to Qatar International Forum – Part 1

Getting ready for Doha

We’re Vanesa and Luka, two young people from Slovenia who took part in an international forum in Doha. The event brought together young participants from ten countries to share knowledge, ideas and good practices. At the forum, we represented Slovenia and its sustainability initiatives. We also had the chance to get a closer look at Qatar, a country known around the world for its rapid development, wealth and hospitality. The visit wasn’t just a professional experience, it was also a chance for personal growth, cultural exploration and learning how this dynamic country deals with the challenges of modern times.

Our journey began with the application process, which started when we saw a post on the social media profile of Qatar Youth Hostels. They invited young people from ten countries around the world to join the initiative. We took part in the event as representatives of Hostelling International Slovenia. As a thank you for our volunteer work, we were given a special opportunity usually reserved for the most dedicated members. It turned out to be the biggest challenge we’ve faced so far. The forum was designed for young professionals from all fields, with a focus on those who already had some knowledge of sustainable development. That’s why it was important for us to highlight our experience and contributions in this area when we applied. We had both taken part in a similar project before, during the first edition of the forum in December 2023, which focused specifically on SDG17.

Once we received the official confirmation of our acceptance, an intense period of preparation began. First, we looked into the climate actions Slovenia is already taking, as well as the planned projects and strategies linked to SDG13. We wanted to understand how Slovenia fits into the global sustainability framework and which innovative practices we could share at the forum. We also looked closely at organisations that support sustainable tourism in Slovenia and analysed how youth hostels in our country can help reduce the carbon footprint. Preparing the presentation was one of the key steps. We decided to focus the presentation on concrete examples of good practices, as we believed that this would be most interesting and useful for other forum participants. We gathered information about the eco-certifications that Slovenian hostels receive and prepared an analysis of how sustainable practices affect visitors. An important part of getting ready was coming up with points for the discussions, as we wanted to join in actively and share our thoughts with the others.

Luckily, the logistics were straightforward because the host delegation took care of most of the paperwork like visas, flights and accommodation. We checked the weather and got ready for the hot climate, while also keeping in mind the cultural dress codes in Qatar. While preparing, we also connected with other participants through WhatsApp chats, sharing information both before arriving and during our time in Qatar. This allowed us to make initial connections and share our expectations about the forum even before the event started. We also got a rough idea of the topics that would be discussed, so we took some extra time to prepare for a few key challenges that other participants had pointed out as important when it comes to sustainable tourism. Throughout the whole application process and preparation, we learnt a lot of new things and gained a broader insight into global sustainability initiatives.

When we arrived in Doha, we were once again met with the incredible hospitality of the Qatari people. We’d especially like to thank the Qatar Youth Hostel organisation and the Qatari Ministry of Sports and Youth, without whom this event wouldn’t have been possible. Right from the moment we arrived in Doha, we were pleasantly surprised by the warm and genuine welcome the organisers had prepared for all forum participants. Everything from the logistical support to the cultural programme was carefully planned and carried out with sincere care and attention. We could immediately feel their deep love for their country. The kindness, openness and willingness to talk and share their local culture really shaped our experience and added even more value to the entire forum.

Our impressions of Qatar

When we think of Qatar, we often picture it as a land of splendour, modern architecture and incredible wealth, largely built on the oil industry. But visiting the country reveals much more. Layer by layer, we got to know the story of a country that, despite its rapid development, still manages to hold on to its traditions while laying the groundwork for a more sustainable future. Taking part in the forum gave us the chance to explore Qatar in depth, including its culture, history, food, and innovations in sustainability and environmental protection.

At every turn, we came across contrasts that show how much Qatar isn’t changing despite the push for modernisation. Futuristic skyscrapers stand right next to markets that have been around for centuries, lavish shopping centres contrast with the simplicity of the desert landscape, and modern technology blends with traditional customs. Our second visit gave us a fresh insight into how the country faces these global challenges and how preserving cultural heritage can exist alongside the technological progress we learned about during the forum.

But what interested us most, coming from Slovenia, was how such a small yet influential country manages to balance its ambitions with responsibility towards the environment and society. For years, Qatar has been seeking answers through various initiatives, from sustainable architecture to preserving natural ecosystems. What we discovered wasn’t just the image of one of the fastest-growing countries in the world, but also a story about the blending of past, present and future, and what we can learn from it.

Forum and its activities

Our presentation aimed to show how smaller countries like Slovenia can contribute to the sustainable development SDG13. We shared some of Slovenia’s best practices, including the National Energy and Climate Plan, which aims to steadily cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. We placed special emphasis on the shift to renewable energy, as Slovenia already generates nearly half of its electricity from renewables, mainly hydropower. We also talked about sustainable transport, the rapid growth of infrastructure for electric vehicles and public transport, and highlighted the importance of organic farming. Slovenia is one of the leading countries in the EU, with a large part of its farmland used for organic production. The focus of our presentation was Ljubljana as a model of sustainable urban development, compared to Doha. Ljubljana was the European Green Capital in 2016 and has a large car-free zone in the city centre that has helped improve air quality. It also has many green spaces covering nearly half the city. Hotels and hostels in Ljubljana are among the most sustainable in Europe.

The forum wasn’t just a chance to talk about Slovenia, but also a space to discuss how smaller countries can help meet global climate goals. After each talk, there were roundtable discussions where we shared ideas with representatives from countries facing different climate challenges. We also took part in practical workshops, working in small groups to come up with projects to improve sustainable practices in hostels and tourist destinations. These workshops gave us the chance to put what we’d learned into practice and come up with ideas we can use in Slovenia. Besides the formal programme, the forum offered plenty of chances to network and have informal conversations, which helped us build strong international connections.

Findings and insights

The forum gave us a clear view of global sustainability trends and showed us that Slovenia is on the right track towards a greener future. Although it’s not fully carbon neutral yet, Slovenia is already setting a good example in many areas, with a focus on investing more in green infrastructure, international cooperation, and innovation. The biggest lesson from the forum was realising that every country, no matter how big or small, can play a part in creating a more sustainable world.

Taking part in an event like this was an amazing chance for both personal and professional growth. Alongside swapping ideas, we made new friends, got a better understanding of how other national organisations work, and mapped out next steps to improve the hostel network globally. The forum proved that young people play a key role in shaping the future of sustainable tourism.

Vanesa and Luka