A Fulbright scholar, author and former Afghan refugee will speak at the Wao Summit in Wānaka later this month (October 26-31). 

Abbas Nazari was just seven when he was rescued from a sinking boat in the Indian Ocean while fleeing the Taliban in 2001. He has recently returned to New Zealand after studying at Georgetown University in the USA.

At Wao, Abbas will discuss the mental health challenges facing refugee and immigrant children, joining other influential young people including Project Blue creator Savannah Walker, School Strike 4 Climate NZ founder Sophie Handford and corporate lawyer turned neuro linguistic programming coach Briony McKenzie. 

The Wao Summit, a six-day sustainability event, aims to create and foster social and environmental change, co-founder Arna Craig said.  

Arna said it was a privilege to have young speakers of such high calibre taking part in the Wao Summit this year. 

“For us to achieve our goal of reducing collective carbon emissions and creating a fully sustainable community we need our youth to buy-in,” Arna said. 

Savannah will front a screening of ‘For the Blue,’ a film on the global waste crisis; Sophie will discuss climate action and how to get involved; and Briony will be bringing her expertise to a workshop on ethical investing.

There are more than 40 events taking place across the Wao Summit.

Learn more about the full range of events, speakers, workshops and tours taking place in the summit here.

PHOTO: Supplied