It was exciting to hear that Australian Alan Dursun has been invited by the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) to join their Youth Leadership Program. WFH funded him to attend the Global Youth Leadership Training and the 2025 WFH Comprehensive Care Summit in Dubai.
Alan talked with HFA about his experiences and how the training has inspired him with developing youth activities in Australia. Alan is currently HFNSW Vice-President.
Hi, my name is Alan and I have severe haemophilia A.
What was your general impression of WFH Global Youth Leadership Training?
The experience was incredibly valuable. Being surrounded by passionate youth leaders from around the world reinforced how important global collaboration is in our community.
The sessions were thoughtfully structured and focused on building practical leadership skills. It was clear the WFH team was intentional about creating a program that supports both personal and professional growth.
What did you get up to with the Youth Fellows?
From the start, we built strong connections through shared experiences and open conversations.
The Youth Dinner in Al Fahidi was a highlight — traditional Emirati cuisine, cultural exchange, and the chance to learn from each other in a relaxed setting.
Throughout the program, we developed meaningful friendships, exchanged insights from our NMOs (National Member Organisations), and supported each other’s goals.
What sessions were highlights and why?
The Marketing for Advocacy session with Patrick James Lynch stood out. It provided powerful insight into using personal stories and digital platforms to drive impact. It made me reflect on how we can better elevate youth voices within Haemophilia Foundation Australia.
Another highlight was Project Proposal Development, which gave clear, actionable guidance on structuring effective initiatives. This will be particularly valuable for future youth-led projects within our national community.
What was your take-home message?
Youth leadership thrives when it’s supported by the right tools, structure, and mentorship. The training reinforced the importance of creating space for young people to step into leadership roles with purpose and clarity.
I returned with a stronger sense of direction and a renewed commitment to empowering youth across our bleeding disorders community.
FIND OUT MORE
To read more about youth leadership and personal stories from young people with bleeding disorders, visit the FACTORED IN youth section on the HFA website.
Youth activity
As part of Alan’s youth leadership training and implementing his learnings, he is going to lead a youth activity on Thursday 16 October 2025 in Brisbane before the Australian Bleeding Disorders Conference.
If you are interested
• contact HFA hfaust@haemophilia.org.au
• or visit www.haemophilia.org.au/conference-2025
Images were provided by Alan Dursun and WFH (wfh.org) and are reproduced with permission.
