Class of 2024
From nearly 700 applications, 50 young changemakers from around the globe were selected as semi-finalists for the Young Global Changers Recoupling Award 2024. These young changemakers will join our global community and contribute to on-going discussion in the Global Solutions network. You can learn more about this year’s Young Global Changers and their unique projects below.
Dumenyo Theophilus Delali, a visionary entrepreneur, is the founder and CEO of ENTO Organics, an agribusiness venture revolutionizing animal husbandry through sustainable feeding solutions. Delali’s leadership has driven notable achievements, including victory in the Circular Economy Challenge Ghana 2020 and a first runner-up position in the Presidential Pitch Ghana 2019. Committed to social impact, Delali initiated the ENTO Women Network project, empowering women farmers for sustainable agriculture and combating climate change with support from the Australian Direct Aid program. Recognized by the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens, Delali’s passion for regenerative design thinking and recycling organic waste is reshaping farming practices. He is also an IUCN Young Changemaker for 2023.
Lamea TanjinTanha (she/her) is a 23-year-old social entrepreneur and activist from Bangladesh. Voluntarily working in the development sector for almost half a decade, her works are mostly focused on the social and economic rights of the marginalized SOGIESC community and sustainable fashion in Bangladesh. With the aim to intertwine these two, she has founded TransEnd Crafts in 2018. For her active contribution to human rights activism, she has received several national and international awards and recognitions like the Bangladesh Sustainability Excellence Award (2023), Impact Award (2023), Diana Award (2021), Joy Bangla Youth Award (2021), National champion at EO GSEA (2022), WIL Inspiring Women’s award (2020), etc.
Nurudeen Issa is an experienced energy leader and climate activist, who possess a wealth of knowledge and expertise in energy innovation and climate-related activities. He has a strong background in energy and climate science, as well as knowledge of energy policy and regulations, making him well-suited to participate in climate negotiation and policy engagement. Additionally, his passion for improving access to clean energy technologies in sub-Saharan Africa and his commitment to a just and equitable energy transition for a sustainable future make him an ideal candidate to represent the region in climate negotiations. Overall, Nurudeen’s skill set, knowledge, and dedication all make him an excellent choice to participate in climate negotiation and policy engagement.
Dinara Auyelbekova is a CEO and founder of Girls Power fund, which works on empowering girls in STEM. She is also an international consultant in project management working with Eurasia Foundation, UNDP Kazakhstan, and Germany’s Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations. She holds a master’s of business administration in international management from Geneva Business School and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Nazarbayev University in Kazakhstan. Dinara was selected as an Obama Scholar at Columbia University for her exceptional work in promoting gender equality, first from the Post Soviet region.
Robert Luo, the Founder and CEO of Mi Terro, is a 4x entrepreneur with 2 exits. He has many years of experience in business development, marketing, and sales. He is a Forbes Under 30 Scholar, an Entrepreneur Hall of Fame at the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business, Top Ten Outstanding Chinese American Youth Awards, a recipient of “25 Under 25” by Social Entrepreneur Magazine, a recipient of the All America Chinese Youth Federation “Top 30 Under 30″, a GreenBiz “30 Under 30” honoree, an Eco-Business A-List Youth Honoree, a 2020 APEC Voice of the Future honoree, a SOCAP – Social Capital Markets 2020 Game-Changing Founders of Color, IFSA “25 under 25,” Global Shaker’s Sustainable Fashion Innovator 2019, Global Good Fund Fellow, and Top 100 Asian American Emerging Leaders by theboadiQ. He owns 4 patents.
Md Magfi Reza Siddique, founder and director of Daahuk, works with marginalized rural communities in Bangladesh. Through Daahuk, he fosters sustainable socioeconomic development through livelihood interventions and market inclusion, integrating local community-centric innovative practices. His work in disaster resilience and community empowerment has earned prestigious accolades, showcasing his commitment to impactful change. He completed his education in communication and international development.
Filip Koprcina is the founder and CEO of Energy Shift. Filip is dedicated to revolutionizing the energy sector through the use of blockchain technology. Filip’s extensive experience in the energy sector includes previous work at a solar installation company and advising major oil corporations such as Shell and BP on their transition to sustainability. He has also made significant contributions to the field as a member of the United Nations’ High Level Dialogue on Energy, providing recommendations on achieving SDG7 targets. Filip’s expertise and dedication to the energy sector have earned him several accolades, including the EU Sustainable Energy Award in the Young Trailblazer category, awarded by the European Commission, and recognition as a Forbes 30 under 30 Europe 2022.
Omer Badokhon is Founder and CEO OF BioTreasure a company that provides innovative small scale and decentralized biogas plants. BioTreasure’s system allows consumers to convert their organic waste into energy and organic fertilizers. He is deeply committed to using technology to help mitigate climate change and create a world where everyone has equal access to clean, affordable energy and high quality fertilizers for growing their food. Omer Badokhon is an award-winning, internationally recognized innovator and social entrepreneur. He received the top UN Environmental Award Young Champions of the earth 2017, Winner Destination Zero Challenge Competition in 2021, Youth4Climate Sparking Solutions Award Winner and listed at Forbes 30 under 30 2023 for social impact.
Joel Alex Olang is a social entrepreneur and passionate advocate for the use of technology to address the challenges faced by underserved communities. He is the founder and CEO of Urban Tech For Hope, a social enterprise that uses technology to improve access to healthcare, education, and other essential services in Kenya. Joel has a deep understanding of the challenges faced by marginalized communities, and he is committed to using his skills and experience to create a more just and equitable world.
Olivia Awuor is a passionate social entrepreneur based in Nairobi Kenya who loves creating solutions that make a positive impact in the community. She is the current CEO at PineKazi company limited. Olivia was recently awarded the SDGs youth innovation award for her outstanding work at Pine Kazi. She has also won global competitions like hult prize and Fashionomics award. She is currently in her final year of study at Africa Nazarene University undertaking a bachelors degree in International Business Management. Olivia is good at public speaking, business pitch presentations and creating state of the art PowerPoint designs. In her free time she enjoys learning new skills and engaging in productive activities. Her personal mission is to be a cornerstone of hope in the community and revolutionize the fashion industry one fiber at a time.
Nofi Bayu Darmawan, CEO of Komerce, hails from an economically challenged rural village in Purbalingga, Indonesia. Nofi established Komerce with a vision to tackle unemployment and urbanization in rural. Komerce serves as a groundbreaking platform connecting rural youths with SMEs through comprehensive e-commerce training and remote job opportunities. Komerce has trained over 1,300 youths, secured jobs for 500+ talents, and disbursed a monthly income of $80,000 to rural youths. Notably, Komerce has received investments from prominent figures unicorn founder like Achmad Zaky of Bukalapak.
Mumbe Mwangangi is a social innovator, driven by her unwavering commitment to driving transformative change in underserved communities. With a profound belief in the power of collective action, Mumbe co-founded Nyansapo AI, a pioneering social enterprise harnessing the potential of Artificial Intelligence to elevate literacy and numeracy skills among primary school children in Africa. Her boundless passion for education equity led her to collaborate with government agencies, NGOs, and schools, uniting stakeholders in pursuit of a mmon goal. Mumbe’s leadership prowess extends beyond the realm of education. As a Fellow at UNDP Cameroon, she championed gender equality and women’s empowerment. She has a degree in International Relations and a Masters in Disaster Management and Sustainable Development.
Carla Ruiz Philipps, co-founder of Wayru Perú, a company that develops innovations for the efficient water management in households and underserved communities. She volunteered at the Peruvian Environment Ministry, where she discovered her passion for innovation and positive impact on society and the environment. She holds a bachelor’s degree in geography and environment from PUCP University. She was a fellow and winner of the Young Water Fellowship, the IDB e-Hackathon, Lima Women for Climate-C40 Cities, the ASME iSHOW and exhibited at the Water Conference 2023 at UN Headquarters.
Uche Kenneth Udekwe is a Public Health Administrator, Social Entrepreneur and CEO/Founder of NATAL CARES. Uche has a variety of experience: He is a Lagos Business School Fellow, YALI Fellow, FATE Foundation Fellow, LEAP AFRICA Fellow and ONE YOUNG WORLD Ambassador. Uche has an excellent Human Relation and communication skills; he can speak SIX major Nigerian languages (Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, Pidgin, English and Sign Language) fluently. In 2016 Uche lost his sister-in-law/Childhood friend at childbirth due to complication of pregnancy and delivery; it was one of the saddest moments in his life. Since then, he has dedicated himself to take action to put an end to maternal and child deaths or at least reduce it drastically. To achieve this goal, he started Natal Cares.
Nabiry Juma Jumanne,Tanzania Co-Founder & CEO of Sheria Kiganjani, leads Tanzania’s pioneering legal tech platform, “law on your palm.” Their mission is to provide affordable legal assistance to underserved communities. He has served the Africa Global Advisory Council and the Anticounterfeiting Committee at the International Trademark Association. He has been awarded “2022 SDG Innovation Champion for Goal 16” in Tanzania and “Private Sector Outstanding Startup of the Year 2022″ from the TPSF. He has also been acknowledged for her contributions to technology and innovation, earning the “Best Use of Technology in Africa 2019” award at the African Legal Awards. Nabiry’s dedication has led to her being nominated for the “40 under 40 Africa” award in 2023 and receiving the “System Innovator Award” from the Segal Family Foundation.
Blossom Eromosele, an aspiring architect and co-founder of AllSpace, is also the director of ‘We Are Love,’ an NGO dedicated to uplifting underprivileged children in African societies. Pursuing a master’s degree in architecture, she brings two years of experience managing charity projects and a passion for sustainable design. Through AllSpace, she innovates in creating eco-friendly housing from recycled materials, blending her architectural skills with a social and environmental sustainability commitment. Her work reflects a deep-seated belief in empowering communities and nurturing the planet, showcasing a holistic approach to building a better, more sustainable future.
Gabriela Saade, grew up in a country where 80% of the population lives in poverty and lacks access to basic public health services. In response to this chronically unmet need, Gabriela first co-founded Salud Por Venezuela, a non-profit that has since delivered medicine and hygiene supplies to thousands of individuals across off-grid localities in Caracas Venezuela. Her experiences as a social entrepreneur have been featured on NPR, CNN, MIT News and the World Economic Forum’s Davos Summit in her role as a Shaper of the Caracas Hub of the WEF Global Shapers Community. Her social impact work would later extend to her role at LivingWaters Systems as Chief Operating Officer, developing its growth and partnerships strategies during and after her studies recently as a MPP at the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy.
Priyal Agrawal, is the founder and CEO of StandWeSpeak, an AI-driven, SexTech venture that provides Millennials and GenZ easy access to comprehensive and non-judgmental Sexual and Reproductive Health information and resources. She is deeply committed to leveraging technology to create a world where every touch is consensual, every relationship is healthy, and every pregnancy is wanted. Priyal Agrawal is an award-winning social entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, podcast host, and a Sexuality Educator. Her work has garnered recognition from The World Bank, the Government of South Korea, Japan, and United Nations agencies (such as UNSDSN, UNDP, UN Women), Women in Tech APAC, SexTech Summit Berlin, and IPPF, alongside others. She is also a Diana Award Recipient, a Global Youth Awards Nominee, KSGC 2022 and a Yunus and Youth Fellow.
Wilson Atumeyi a sociologist and anti-corruption activist, spearheads WaterWide, a non-profit committed to alleviating water, sanitation, and hygiene challenges in rural and marginalized communities in Nigeria. Acknowledged for impactful advocacy, he’s a recipient of prestigious awards like The Future Award and African Rising Activism Awards (Activist of the Year). Wilson’s pivotal role in WaterWide involves meticulously tracking WASH spending, ensuring transparency, and driving policy changes. His comprehensive approach encompasses capacity building, tech-driven engagement, and fervent advocacy for women’s rights, underscoring his efforts for holistic development and a transformative future for Nigeria.
Lëmnec Tiller hails from Mogotes, Colombia, and is a proud Wayúu descendant. Lëmnec is a Mechatronic Engineer from Universidad Autónoma de Bucaramanga. Since 2016, he co-founded and have been leading Fundación Wayuuda, positively impacting over 10000 lives through innovative projects. Recognized internationally by One Young World Ambassador in London, Nestlé-UNESCO Engaged Youth Initiative winner in 2019 and 2020. MIT named Lëmnec as Humanitarian of the Year and Innovator under 35 LATAM. Georgetown University fellow in the Global Competitive Leadership Program and PMI Future 50 change maker in 2023.
Samira Gawhary, a versatile professional with degrees in journalism and law, excels as a lawyer, multimedia journalist, and artist. As the youngest recipient of Kardan University’s 40 Under 40 award, she’s achieved academic success at Princeton and Cambridge University. Previously a Producer and Director at Kardan Journalism Studio, she’s now a mentee at luxury brands, a volunteer ambassador for SDGs, and holds positions at Aseel, a tech startup promoting artisan craftsmanship and humanitarian aid. Samira utilizes her skills to drive positive change, endorsing Aseel’s values of transparency and unwavering support. Committed to making a meaningful impact, she operates from Kabul, Afghanistan.
Alberto Nuñez, is the Executive Secretary of the NGO Sembrando Conciencia, founded at the end of 2019. The first project was Guerrilla Verde, which began during the pandemic to alleviate the food crisis suffered by marginalized communities in the country. In 2021, he was chosen as a city changer by the World Urban Campaining for the COP 26, and in 2022, was the winner of the Mbarete youth contest in climate action by the ministry of youth and the office of the first lady, ambassador of the One Young World, of 1MYAC, and member of the ChangeMaker4Change Community. Currently, I am the national coordinator of the Youth Network for Climate Action in Paraguay and a member of the committee for the program’s service to the world.
Mayumi Sato is a PhD student and Gates Cambridge scholar at the University of Cambridge, climate researcher, and founder and director of SustainED. She has several years of experience working with climate-vulnerable groups, including Syrian refugees in Canada, Indigenous hill tribes in Thailand, and timber processing enterprises in Laos, and has worked on Ministerial-level climate policy discussions on reforestation, illegal logging, and gender equity. She has been awarded by the UN, Peace First, and Audi Environmental Foundation, among others, for her advocacy on environmental, social, gender, and racial justice, and has represented Japan and spoken at international conferences such as the APEC, UN Youth Climate Summit, GLF Bonn, and COPs. She is a UN Women 30 for 2030 network member and a National Geographic Explorer.
Joseph Orya is a visionary leader and the Chief Executive Officer of Peddle Innovation labs, a social enterprise committed to transforming education and empowering young minds in Nigeria. With over 11 years of experience in entrepreneurship, social innovation, and human resources development, Joseph has dedicated his career to bridging the educational divide and creating opportunities for those in need. Joseph’s journey is deeply rooted in his personal experiences, losing both parents at a young age and having grown up in poverty and faced with the challenges of accessing quality education in a remote village in Nigeria. Fueled by these struggles, he founded Peddle innovation labs with the mission of making quality education and digital skills accessible to young children in poverty and refugee communities.
Noely Mapunda is a registered medical doctor, UN SDG goals keeper, humanitarian and human rights defender, He works as volunteer doctor at St Joseph Hospital in Tanzania, He is refugee orphan. In 2015, he founded The Nitibu (Healing) Foundation to treat victims of violence. He volunteered with Doctors without borders under umbrella of African Union to travel across Africa with flying doctors where he met and cared over 3000 moribund patients who needed optimal advanced care. He is the recipient of Mandela youth Awards 2015, Tanzania Future I want Awards 2018, Young African Awards 2020, Future Healthcare innovation Awards 2021, AU Africa SDG Achievers Award 2022 and invited by Clinton global initiative, One young world, African Union youth assembly and more. He envision for a world where no one suffers and dies from preventable diseases.
Wudindolo Fantina is the founder and team lead of the Grassroot Initiative for Sustainable Development, a non-profit, non-governmental organization committed to enhancing access to durable and affordable clean energy solutions within vulnerable households in the North West region of Cameroon.Fantina and her team are dedicated to addressing climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. They achieve this by empowering youth and women with technical and business skills related to solar energy technology and support them with startup kits to run Green Solution Centers. Her work has been awarded by the United Nations Development Program and the Government of Italy during the Youth4Climate Event in Italy 2023.
Pia Duran, an artist and co-lead of Forest Guards Film Impact, marries ecological protection and welfare of environment defenders. Her works have influenced and won policies like the Ban on Child Marriages and Human Rights Defenders Protection. It is distributed through global educational platforms and assemblies. Pia collaborates with One World Media, Netflix, National Geographic, UN, Oxfam, and USAID. She is a board member at the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung APM Alumni, part of the Global Shapers and YSEALI. Pia’s driving force lies in the intersection of arts and public policies.
Lena Ostlund is French-Swedish and passionate about defending girls and women’s rights to create a safe world for them, both offline and online. She is currently a Project Officer for the UN agency the International Telecommunication Union, where she works with various projects and initiatives for gender digital inclusion. Within this, she helps coordinate activities of the EQUALS Global Partnership to Bridge the Gender Digital Divide, a multistakeholder platform focusing on four key areas: Access, Skills, Leadership and Research. One of the key projects Lena leads is the EQUALS Her Digital Skills initiative, aiming to provide access to free, gender-transformative digital skills training, capacity-building and mentoring opportunities for 1 million women and girls by 2026.
Puneet Singh Singhal is a Disability Inclusion Advocate and an Accessibility Enthusiast. He is a person with Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and Stammering. He is working as the Community Lead for the Global Network of Young Persons with Disabilities (GNYPWD) where he played a key role in building a community of more than 600 young persons with disabilities (YPWD) with intersectional identities from LGBTQIA+, Indigenous and BIPOC Communities, Women and girls, Mental health conditions, and Chronic illness. As a passionate Social Changemaker, he aims to revolutionize Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) initiatives worldwide. His background—shaped by poverty, domestic violence, and multiple non-apparent disabilities—fuels his desire to champion marginalized individuals’ rights and create balanced representation.
Sophia Yang is the Founder and Executive Director of Threading Change, an ethical fashion organization working at the intersections of climate, gender, and racial justice in alignment with the necessary transition to a circular economy. Sophia is the recipient of the City of Vancouver’s Greenest City Leadership Award in 2022, Corporate Knights’ Top 30 Under 30 Sustainability Leaders in Canada list in 2021, recipient of the No.9 Contemporary Art & The Environment and Harrowsmith Magazine’s inaugural Youth Changemaker Award in 2023, Starfish Canada’s Top 25 Under 25 Environmentalists award in 2017 and 2018, has attended the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP24 & 25) twice as a British Columbian Youth Delegate with BCCIC, COP27 as part of Environment and Climate Change Canada’s delegation, and DJs as ‘KALEIDO’ in her spare time.
Abdulkareem O. Abdullateef, a Nigerian activist, has over 3 years in African social development. He focuses on Education, Open Government Partnership, transparency, and accountability. As the founder of Saving African Youths Dream Initiative (SAYDi), he envisions an ecosystem where underserved youth harness their potential for societal benefit. SAYDi enhances effective and efficient education, promotes democratic governance, gender inclusion, and social justice, creating an interface between citizens and the government. Abdulkareem, recognized at the 2022 International Youth Diplomacy Conference and awarded the Best Position Paper, has impacted 500,000 lives in rural areas.
Annetta BV Mahoney is the Programs Manager of Gambia Participates, a civil society organization that aims to promote good governance, transparency, and accountability in The Gambia. She is a highly accomplished individual with a diverse background in politics, philosophy, economics, and project management. Annetta has dedicated over five years of her career to actively contributing to the civic space, focusing on fostering democracy, human rights, and good governance. She has managed various projects and activities for Gambia Participates, such as conducting civic education and voter awareness campaigns, advocating for the adoption and implementation of the Anti-Corruption Commission Bill, organizing public dialogues and forums on various national issues, and monitoring and holding the government accountable.
Carl Mühlbach is the founder of FiscalFuture. FiscalFuture makes economic and financial policy accessible to young people and supports them in forming a strong public voice. Carl is a graduated economist from Heidelberg University, Cambridge University, the Free University of Berlin and a former employee of the German Ministry of Finance. He advocates for a financial policy that provides urgently needed investment in a green and just transition.
Catalina Roa Beut., is Co-founder of the DosPuntoDos mentoring program that was born from the need to have a mentor for their work and professional development, now this program impacts young people throughout Latin America, creating networks of mentors and mentees who receive training to lead from the public. She has a law degree, a political scientist and a master’s degree in constitutional law, a scholarship recipient from the Botín Foundation, Carolina Foundation and the Creating Public Value Program at Harvard University. From her work in the public sector, she has a wide network of contacts in the public sector, both nationally and internationally, being of great value for the implementation of the project.
Frezer Abera Hadebo is a formidable advocate for gender equality, leveraging her expertise as a Gender Specialist to drive transformative change through gender-responsive policies. With a passion for human rights, youth empowerment, and social justice, Frezer brings over five years of experience in project, policy advocacy and program management, focusing on issues like child labour, child marriage, gender-based violence, and particularly in amplifying women’s economic empowerment on both national and international levels. She is a trailblazer in social inclusion and gender equality, showcasing her skills in fostering community participation and championing grassroots women’s rights activism. In Feminist Movement Building, Advocacy, and Campaigns, Frezer has a distinguished record, excelling in grant management, resource mobilization.
Gabby Green is the Founder and Executive Director of New Global Normal. In 2023 Gabby graduated from the University of St Andrews with a First Class MA (Hons) in Economics and International Relations. Her dissertation entitled ‘The China Threat Narrative: A Genealogy. How does American exceptionalism shape US representations of and responses to the China threat narrative?’ received a Distinction. In Autumn 2024 Gabby will commence a Double Master’s Degree in the Global Political Economy of China and Europe at the London School of Economics and Fudan University. Inspired by her own experience growing up as a third culture kid in Hong Kong and South Korea and with Eurasian Sri Lankan and Anglo Australian heritage, Gabby’s mission is to change the world for the better by promoting active global citizenship amongst the next generation.
Hannah Walton, United Kingdom, arose as a tenacious advocate for educational accessibility and youth mental health after overcoming personal struggles. In 2021, she launched the One/Third Project, aiding thousands with disrupted education in the West Midlands and beyond. Walton’s initiative, the Lead The Way Youth Summit, provided a platform for young changemakers to learn, connect, and address pressing issues. Her exceptional commitment and impact led to her winning Changemaker of the Year 2023 and Inspirational Founder 2023 for her tireless efforts. She’s appeared on local (BBC Hereford and Worcestershire) and national (ITV News) media, discussing critical topics concerning young people in the UK. An academic and passionate advocate, Hannah stands as a beacon for youth empowerment.
João Tavares, a graduate in Law, Public Policies and International Relations, is a social entrepreneur and activist for civic education. He worked at RenovaBR, a political renewal initiative that prepares ordinary citizens to run for Congress, and served as the executive director of Escola Comum, a political training school for youth in the outskirts of Brazil. Currently, João is the co-founder and Executive Director of the National Civic Education Networking, an organization that aims to strengthen democracy in Brazil by connecting and promoting the civic education ecosystem in the country.
Idris Bilyaminu Ndasadu’Lau is a Civic Leader, Social Development Activist, Queen’s Young Leader and a Multiple Award-winning Social Impact and Community Development Advocate. He is currently a Global Ambassador of Youth Democracy Cohort, Member of Common Futures Conservations at Chatham House, and Tostan Alumni. He is a researcher, media advocate and community development expert with over 6years working experience in promoting access to public services delivery, community development, civic engagement, democracy, human rights, women & youth participation at the grassroots. His work earned numerous awards including Winner of Noble Citizen Award India, Pre-Finalist for AfricTivistes African Civic Action Prize Senegal, First RunnerUp for Community Service Award BudgIT Nigeria & Winner for Community Action at The Future Awards Africa 2023.
Lucía De Mateo is a dedicated feminist activist advocating for Comprehensive Sexuality Education. Her journey in activism began in secondary school, where she actively participated in the Student Council’s presidency, and during this time played a pivotal role in co-founding the Students Union of Lanús. Lucía also co-founded the youth activist collective, ESIxEllas, which throughout three years implemented innovative projects and communication campaigns about Comprehensive Sexuality Education. After participating as a fellow youth activist in the EsConESI training courses, in 2022 she continued as Project Leader and currently this year was promoted to EsConESI coordinator. She is currently studying Political Science in the University of Buenos Aires.
Rachel Ncube is an award winning content creator who uses mostly poetry to speak to Inequalities and injustices affecting the community. She started doing art professionally in 2017 after she had faced financial challenges during her studies. In 2019, she received an award for outstanding community arts engagement under the annual Bulawayo Arts Awards. In 2020, she got an award for Edutainment category under Zimbabwe Annual Women of Excellence Awards . In 2021, she was nominated by Gumiguru as part of 50 under 30 emerging leaders of Zimbabwe. Also in 2020, she was crowned a poetry slam champion under Loziba, a women’s movement in Bulawayo. In 2021, she was appointed as a youth board member at the European Union Delegation to Zimbabwe and won the Accountability Creative Activism Award by Action Aid.
Saloua Jaghar, Morocco, is dedicated to creating positive change in her community and beyond. She is a Climate change defender, environmentalist and community organizer. Currently serving as an executive member of Youth For Climate Morocco, Saloua plays an instrumental role in advancing the organization’s mission to support and inspire Youth to become global leaders and champions of Climate change. Furthermore, Saloua actively engages in advocacy work as a National Gender Justice Activist at UN Women, where she collaborates with stakeholders and policymakers to promote gender equality and women’s rights in the MENA region and Globally. Currently pursuing a master degree in Business Administartion at ISCAE University in Morocco, Saloua leverages her academic journey to deepen her understanding of global affairs and climate change.
SM Shaikat is the Executive Director of SERAC-Bangladesh, which is promoting access to health rights and civic engagement of youth in Bangladesh. He was elected to the UN-Habitat Youth Advisory Board in 2015 and has been a speaker at several events during the UN General Assemblies, 9th and 11th World Urban Forums, and many. Shaikat initiated the Urban Youth Councils in Bangladesh developing a sustainable civic space for youth in the country. He was nominated by the U.S. Department of State to the International Visitors Leadership Program in 2013, and Asia Young Leader for Democracy in 2015.
Here he understood the connection between climate change and war as hunger, draughts, and floods cause poverty and fight over limited resources. He decided to take action so he founded Xhuma Africa Association working for peace and environmental Preservation. He has thus far facilitated the training of 1750 youths in moral rearmament, civic education and peacebuilding in Cameroon.
Abul Bashar Rahman, an Economics student at UBC, is deeply driven by climate solutions, drawing inspiration from his homeland, Bangladesh. Noting the inadequate representation of Bangladesh at COP27, he champions equitable climate solutions. His endeavors include a cycling journey across Bangladesh, capturing tales of resilience, and crafting an atlas spotlighting stories from the Global South. Representing Bangladesh and UBC on various platforms, Bashar amplifies the voices often overshadowed in climate discussions.
Gerald Geier is an award-winning designer, filmmaker and graduate of the University of Applied Arts Vienna. Specializing in the intersection of sustainability and strategic design, Gerald’s work leverages the power of storytelling and AI technology to address critical global issues. His latest project, “Remember the Future,” a short film envisioning a climate-stable world, has gained notable recognition for its creative approach to climate communication. Passionate about inspiring change, Gerald’s work embodies a unique blend of artistic vision and commitment to environmental advocacy.
Dwishojoyee Banerjee is a youngster working towards climate action,moving people from action talking to action taking. She is an AshokaYoungChangemaker,BeVisioneers-Mercedes Benz fellow &has worked with organisations like WEF,S &UNICEF. Her changemaking journey took root at age 4,when she asked:why was the soap named “Life Buoy” ¬ “Life Human”?This query,from misreading the word”buoy,”marked lifelong commitment to making a difference. By 10,she started dedicating time to slum-kids.This early experience imprinted upon her the understanding that social work was not merely an optional embellishment but the very essence.Her”The Soft Movement,”is crafted to transform activism,in contrast to clamorous nature of movements,it focuses on tangible,grassroots impact.
Salah El Sadi hold a Master’s in Water and Environmental Science and a Bachelor’s in Industrial Chemistry from Al-Azhar University. His experience includes founding Blue Filter Company, managing at the Ministry of National Economy, and serving as a Circular and Blue Economy Expert at UCAS. He has trained in entrepreneurship for UNICEF and the World Orthodox Organization, consulted on agriculture, environment, and water for the Dalia Foundation, and arbitrated pioneering projects with the Guidance Company. His notable achievements include registering two patents, winning first place in water purification competitions in Turkey and with the Badar Turkey Foundation, and securing first place in the University of Palestine’s Innovation Hackathon.
Taras Prodaniuk is an accomplished researcher and policy analyst with a profound commitment to understanding and addressing contemporary global challenges. Holding an M.Sc. in Politics Research from the University of Oxford, Taras is a recognised Associate Fellow at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute and a founding researcher at ADASTRA Fellows Ukrainian Think Tank. His expertise lies in democracy, global trends, and the legacies of war, with a particular focus on Ukraine’s recovery and integration into European structures. Taras has contributed significantly to policy development through his extensive research, including impactful policy papers and op-eds on international relations and democratic processes.
Niyati Sharma is the Founder and Executive Director of Pratisandhi Foundation, a youth-led non-profit organization dedicated to the sexual health and education of Indian adolescents and youth. Her team has positively impacted over 60,000 individuals through direct and indirect educational interventions and have been covered on various media platforms such as Forbes India, Indian Express, NDTV, The Quint, among others. Niyati is a certified sexuality educator and holds a double-major in Psychology and International Relations from The University of British Columbia, Vancouver. Niyati recently authored and published her book “Under The Carpet: The Sex Ed Everyone Needs,” and is serving as the co-lead for the working group on CSE with Transform Education with UNGEI after winning the Diana Award in 2021.
Micaela Núñez Toro is an Ecuadorian human rights advocate driven by her experiences with inequality. An excellent final-year student of Clinical Psychology at Universidad Central del Ecuador, she uses sign language for more inclusive communication, co-founded “EnSEÑAS en las alturas,” and actively participates in feminist and community organizations. Her leadership shines as a coordinator at La Poderosa Ecuador, working to improve neighborhood life. Remarkably, Micaela volunteers as a hospital clown and in initiatives addressing drug-related, public health, and mental health issues. Her project management experience spans citizen and food security, showcasing her diverse contributions to social causes in Ecuador.