UNICEF Youth Advocates
Meet our young partners – thinkers and doers for a better world for children.
UNICEF’s Youth Advocates come from every corner of the world, united in their pursuit of universal goals. From creating a more climate-resilient planet to fighting against gender-based violence to championing the rights of children with disabilities, these young people are speaking out and taking action for children’s rights everywhere.
Get to know our Youth Advocates from around the world:
Americas and the Caribbean
East Asia and Pacific
Eastern and Southern Africa
Europe and Central Asia
Middle East and North Africa
South Asia
West and Central Africa
Advocates in Action
Explore how UNICEF's Youth Advocates are inspiring communities and changing the world.
Americas and the Caribbean
Argentina: Nicole Becker, 20
Climate activist
Nicki Becker is a climate activist advocating for climate and social justice in Argentina. She is one of the co-founders of Jóvenes por el Clima Argentina, an active member of the international Fridays for Future movement and was appointed a UNICEF Argentina Youth Advocate in 2020. Nicki has been advocating for the inclusion of young people’s voices in decision making processes, especially those from MAPA countries (Most Affected Peoples and Areas). She helped declare Argentina in a state of climate emergency and bring about the climate change law.
Barbados: Ashley Lashley, 23
Climate, gender equality and child rights advocate
Ashley Lashley focuses on social development issues related to health, the environment, children, and women’s rights. She began her youth activist journey at the age of 16 when the Barbados Schools against Non-Communicable Diseases was established.
In 2020, Ashley founded HEY (Healthy and Environmentally-Friendly Youth), a global climate change and health campaign seeking to build bridges between youth in the Caribbean and around the world.
Schools against Non-Communicable Diseases and the HEY Campaign have both become major projects under the Ashley Lashley Foundation.
“Let no obstacle be greater than the cause.”
Barbados: Maria Marshall, 13
Environmental advocate, content creator
When Maria Marshall saw someone littering once, it moved her to write about it. She took it a step further and made an award-winning short film titled Little Thoughts on Big Matters, which addresses reducing, reusing, recycling and repurposing. Maria also has a YouTube Channel of the same name and an Instagram page called Thoughts Squad by Maria. She continues to share informative, educational and thought-provoking content on social media. She also has a variety of interests including film, photography, music, art and going to the beach.
Maria has worked with UNICEF on several advocacy initiatives including World Children’s Day 2020 and Activate Talks. She believes that she will be able, in her own way, to fight climate change through educational content.
Belize: Alaine Perdomo, 16
Advocate for child protection
Alaine is in her last year of high school, and she has many academic achievements including gold medals in both national and international coding and math competitions. She has participated in national and international programmes including collaborating with researchers at the University of Miami analyzing brainwave data. Alaine is creating positive change in her community by providing peer support. She has conceptualized and coded and App – SafeScape -, to support teens survivors of sexual assault and abuse. As a young girl in ICT, she will support UNICEF’s digital literacy agenda and will advocate for children who are victims of sexual assault and abuse.
Belize: Maslin Hanson, 20
Climate Action Advocate
Maslin is a youth advocate with UNICEF Belize. She was a member of the National Children’s Parliament in 2021-2022 advocating for a legislation to criminalize the recruitment of children in illegal activities. Continuing her activism, the following year she was the recipient of the Youth Minister’s Award (Leadership) 2022-2023. Maslin will add her voice to support UNICEF’s education agenda promoting literacy and numeracy. Having lived in the hurricane and flood-prone area of southern Belize she will also support climate education for children.
Brazil: Erick Patrick Felix Soares, 20
Youth Advocate
Erick is a young activist born and raised in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Erick founded the ArterAção Collective to promote democratizing access to culture, education, and health. In three years, the collective has reached approximately 500 young people through community-based workshops, and social actions in underserved communities, schools, and public squares.
Brazil: Maria Eduarda Silva, 20
Climate Advocate
Maria Eduarda is originally from Bonito, a small municipality in the Brazilian semi-arid region of Pernambuco State. She is involved in mobilizing adolescents and young people to raise awareness of the impact of the global climate emergency. Maria Eduarda has been an activist with UNICEF's Adolescent Citizenship Group since 2017 and was part of the delegation of adolescents and youth from UNICEF at COP27.
Brazil: Tainara da Costa Cruz, 19
Climate Advocate
Tainara is a high-school student at a public school in the Amazonas state, Brazil, located in the Indigenous Community. Tainara is indigenous to the Omagua Kambeba people and is part of the Youth Communicators Network of the Indigenous Women's Network of the State of Amazonas (Makira E'ta). She is a climate activist and was part of UNICEF Brazil's delegation of adolescents and youth at COP27.
Canada: Reeana Tazreean, 21
Speaker, researcher and mental health advocate
Reeana Tazreean is an undergraduate student from Calgary, Alberta, and is known to be a leader, public speaker, innovator, researcher and philanthropist. She has been involved with UNICEF since 2019, as a U-Report Canada Ambassador as well as a co-facilitator and speaker at numerous events including the global high-level dialogue Opening Up Better: Back to School For Every Girl event with UNICEF UK, the education and mental health Stay In to Speak Out series, the UNICEF Report Card 16 launch and the 2019 Change Summit,.
She is an advocate for mental health, a volunteer at multiple organizations and enjoys public speaking. She is passionate and has the desire to explore, reflect and challenge herself while remaining compassionate towards others. She believes in the importance of lifelong learning as well as self-growth and her curiosity drives her desire to change the world.
Colombia: Francisco Vera Manzanares, 14
Climate Activist
Francisco is a 14-year-old activist and defender of the right to a healthy environment and has dedicated himself to education for years through the group “Guardians for Life”. Thanks to his presence on social media and engagement with a virtual environmental activism programme and a network of schools, Francisco amplifies his fight for climate action, children’s rights, climate justice and human rights.
Trinidad and Tobago: Priyanka Lalla, 15
Child rights advocate
Priyanka Lalla is strongly passionate about promoting the rights of children and has single-handedly organized several national advocacy campaigns on issues such as child sexual abuse and the environment. One of her most noticeable actions was when she met the Commissioner of Police to sensitize him and other senior officers about the plight of abused children in her country. This resulted in her designing and sharing advocacy material aimed at sensitizing police officers on the issue.
Her passion for child rights advocacy started at age 10 when she began working on projects aimed at encouraging and inspiring other young people to use their creativity and ingenuity to make meaningful changes in the world. She designed a plan for a Zero Waste Lunch Kit and started a Zero Waste Living blog.
In 2018, she was among the first cohort of adolescents in Trinidad and Tobago to become a National Child Rights Ambassador, a programme started by the Office of the Prime Minister and supported by UNICEF, to raise the profile of children’s rights in the country.
Paraguay: Mercedes Montiel, 18
Youth Advocate
Mercedes Montiel is a prominent young activist in the Paraguayan education sector. She is 18 years old and currently in her third year of high school in a rural area. In addition to attending school, Mercedes is a leader and spokesperson for the National Union of Student Centers in Paraguay, having been elected by her peers. She is also a member of the UNICEF Advisory Council for Adolescents and Youth.
In 2022 she formed part of the board that led the collection of 16,000 signatures to promote the provision of textbooks for high school students. As a result, the State provided two textbooks free of charge in public schools.
United States: Gitanjali Rao, 17
Activist, author and STEM promoter
Gitanjali Rao is a student-innovator who believes in using empathy to advocate for a people-centered approach to invention and problem-solving.
Gitanjali was named America's Top Young Scientist of 2017 by the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge, for a patent-pending device to detect lead in water faster than any other current techniques. In 2019, she was recognized as a Forbes 30 under 30 for science, is a TED speaker and in 2020 was named TIME Magazine’s first-ever Kid of the Year. She has been working with UNICEF on an anti-cyberbullying service based on artificial intelligence called Kindly.
Some of Gitanjali's hobbies include playing the piano, Indian classical dancing and singing, swimming, fencing and baking.
United States: Kripa Kannan, 18
Mental Health Advocate
As an active club President and UNICEF advocate, Kripa has been involved in the fight for children's rights for almost four years. She has advocated on behalf of children in underserved communities, spoken on mental health and policy change to legislators in Congressional meetings, and contributed to an International Humanitarian Law
United States: Paul (PJ) Holland-Smith, 15
An Advocate for Children´s rights
PJ is a child rights advocate from the United States where he is a high school junior. He joined the UNICEF USA National Youth Council to fight for the rights of children, both domestically and globally, who have been disenfranchised due to circumstances outside of their control. Outside of UNICEF, he is Treasurer of Jack and Jill Los Angeles Chapter and his school’s ASB and Debate team.
East Asia and Pacific
China: Yin Chuming, 14
Climate Advocate
Yin Chuming, is an active advocate on issues related to water and environment, who enthusiastically participated in volunteer services, youth-led research and campus-based advocacy in water-saving irrigation, waste sorting, water resources protection and environmental-friendly public transportation, etc.
Chuming participated in the Joint Briefing on the UN 2023 Water Conference organized by United Nations China at the UN Compound in Beijing in February 2023 and impressed the audience with her experience and ideas on water and climate issues. She subsequently participated in the UN Water Conference in New York in March, where she shared the results of an online questionnaire survey she conducted on the views and young people in China on water, contributed her insights and called for renewed commitments and concerted actions, to ensure water and prosperity for everyone everywhere.
China: Yu Xinwei, 19
Adolescent mental health advocate
Yu Xinwei is from Huantai County, Zibo Prefecture of Shandong Province. She is now studying at Beijing Normal University.
She was an active participant of school-based advocacy activities under the adolescent mental health programme implemented by UNICEF and National Health Commission (NHC) in 2019. In 2021, she contributed to UNICEF's adolescent mental health campaign ‘Stronger Mind Stronger You’ by working with other young people to write the lyrics of Bu Kui Shi Ni (A Stronger You), encouraging young people to be confident, and be their stronger selves. She also participated in the offline advocacy event co-hosted by the National Center for Mental Health and UNICEF China, with one of highlights being the release in China of UNICEF’s flagship publication The State of the World’s Children 2021; On My Mind: promoting, protecting and caring for children’s mental health. As a youth representative, she shared her experience in addressing mental stresses, for example, through peer support.
Yu Xinwei has a proven record of actively promoting adolescent mental health. During the school closure amid the pandemic, she participated in online psychology sessions, and learnt about different ways to address mental struggles. She then shared the methods during class online meetings and set up a learning group to help her classmates to deal with anxiety and academic-associated stress. At the same time, she has been an enthusiastic volunteer of public and community services since junior secondary school.
Yu Xinwei was appointed as a UNICEF Youth Advocate in 2021.
China: Zhao Chen, 21
Digital accessibility and inclusion advocate
Zhao Chen is from Beijing and is currently studying in College of Idaho in the United States.
At a young age, he lost his eyesight because of congenital myopia. Zhao struggled at first in school, but support at home and from school counselors helped him. These experiences prompted him to speak out about digital accessibility for people with disabilities.
In 2020, Zhao attended ‘Digital Youth: My Life, My Future’, an online youth dialogue jointly hosted by UNICEF China and Tencent at the UN China Youth Forum. At the event he presented a proposal for eliminating the barriers to digital technology to industry experts. He also spoke at the 2020 International Youth Day Dialogue, which was jointly hosted by the United Nations in China, Xinhua News Agency and Tencent, about inclusive digital accessibility.
Zhao’s insights and influence are well recognized by UNICEF and the UN Communications Group in China, where he has expressed a strong commitment to supporting UNICEF’s mission.
Lao PDR: Chanphone Xongchaiyieu, 18
Youth Advocate for Environmental and Climate Action
Chan is a student from Houaphanh province in Lao PDR, with a passion for environmental issues and its impact on young people.
Chan's is also part of the Houaphanh Youth Media, a national youth media platform driven by Lao National Radio in association with UNICEF. Chan is also a member of Xamneua Young Volunteers, a volunteer group which focuses on raising environmental awareness among young people and the wider public in local communities.
Sri Lanka: Tharushi Weerasinghe, 20
Advocate against child marriage
Tharushi is a journalist and law student and is passionate about child rights and climate change issueds. She lobbied against child marriage at UNICEF's Third Parliamentarian's Meeting for Children whereby Parliamentarians from South Asia principally agreed to make 18 the minimum age of marriage across the region. She was instrumental in the formulation of national education policy as a youth rep in multiple parliamentary oversight committees. She is an Earth Journalism Network fellow, was an on-ground reporter at COP27 and is keen to keep working on climate change journalism and child rights. Tharushi is UNICEF Sri Lanka’s first youth advocate.
Pacific Islands: Aniva Clarke, 17
Environmental and child rights activist
Aniva has been advocating for grassroots climate action since the age of 10, when she founded the “Eco Toa” environment club at her primary school in Samoa. Her passion for the environment grew from her first-hand experience of sea level rise and severe cyclones in the Pacific islands. Aniva’s local community advocacy led her to become a child advocate in many fora including the first youth ambassador for Pacific Women in Climate Change Network and Pasifika Climate Advisor for Child Rights International Network.
Since she was 15, Aniva has served as the Pacific representative on the UN Children's Advisory Team, advising the Committee on the Rights of the Child about climate and environment. Aniva contributed to the drafting of General Comment 26 and accompanying Children’s Charter, giving governments worldwide definitive guidance on protecting children’s environmental rights in the face of the climate crisis. She has conducted consultation workshops and awareness programmes with young people across Asia-Pacific about their environmental rights. In 2023, Aniva spoke at the regional Youth Forum and Fifth Forum of Ministers & Environment Authorities of Asia Pacific in Colombo, Sri Lanka where she gave the opening speech to Ministers and Heads of State on behalf of the UNEP Children and Youth Major Group. Aniva has been recognised for her children’s rights and environment advocacy with a New Zealand Pacific Emerging Leadership Award.
In her role as a UNICEF Youth Advocate, Aniva will continue to promote children’s rights, participation in decision-making and climate action.
Eastern and Southern Africa
Botswana: Catherine (Cathy) Mantswe, 16
Advocate for inclusive education
Catherine is a secondary school student and is the current President of the Student Representative Council in Botswana. She was born with Osteogenesis imperfecta, an uncurable brittle bone disease that makes it difficult to walk without support. As a young person living with a disability, she is passionate about advocating for children with disabilities, the right to education and child protection issues. In 2021, she co-hosted the inaugural conference for children and young people forum (CY21). During her interaction with the President of Botswana, she advocated for inclusive education that caters to students with disabilities.
Cathy recently handed over 75 letters on Reimagine education to the President and cabinet ministers of Botswana.
Madagascar: Lova Renee, 13
Children's Rights Advocate
Lova Renée started advocating with UNICEF in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, by making videos to raise awareness called "One minute with Lova Renée". Even before teaming up with UNICEF Madagascar, she caught the nation's attention with a rooftop video that highlighted important COVID-19 safety measures. This video made its way to the country's president and was shown on national TV. After this success, she continued to create videos about children's rights. Since then, she has become a well-known figure in Madagascar and a popular influencer on Facebook. Now, as a UNICEF youth advocate, she successfully fulfills her role by advocating for children's rights in Madagascar.
Malawi: Zakaat Sambo, 21
Child rights and gender equality advocate
Zakaat is a third-year student at Mzuzu University (MZUNI). Zakaat has been involved in UNICEF-led youth engagement programmes since 2017 where he learned digital story telling skills. He uses his passion for digital storytelling to tell stories about the challenges that children especially girls and the youth face daily. In his spare time, he volunteers for community organizations that run public space clean-up campaigns in Mangochi and those promoting Sexual Reproductive Health Rights among the youth. Zakaat plans to use his role as a UNICEF Youth Advocate to tell stories of children adolescent and youths in the remote parts of the country.
Mozambique: Abel Voabil, 20
Youth Advocate
Abel is an active youth advocate from Mozambique. From an early age, he showed leadership and started to join children and youth movements and programs such as the Children's Parliament in his Province, promoting children's rights. Abel was elected as the President of the Children's Parliament and has been the voice of children in his Province since then. He was able to create solidarity movements to support children and give a voice to the most disadvantaged.
Mozambique: Andreia Hamilton, 14
Youth Advocate
Andreia is a 14-year-old advocate who lives in one of the provinces in the north of Mozambique. She has hosted a children's television program called Roda Viva, on the largest television network in Mozambique since she was 11 years old. For Andreia, the most important thing is to transmit information to other children at home to raise their awareness of issue of their concern. Since she was very young, Andreia felt this desire to communicate and contribute to a better world.
Mozambique: Erica João, 17
Erica is part of Mozambique TV in her city, she presents a Child-to-Child program since July 2022. In 2021 she was part of Mozambique Radio presenting another programme to children. When she walks around her city, she sees many children on the street who have nowhere to go, she tries to change that by participating in various campaigns to explain the rights of children. Her dream is to become a journalist to reach more people and raise their awareness.
Mozambique: Derrick Veiga, 15
Child Rights Advocate
Derrick de Boa Ventura, a 15-year-old youth advocate with aspirations to become a successful young lawyer. Beyond academics, Derrick passionately advocates for children's rights as the presenter of "Roda Viva" on TV, displaying a commitment to activism. Beyond traditional media, he has embraced the digital realm, running his own YouTube channel. Derrick is familiar with the rights of children and recognizes the challenges they face in realizing and enjoying these fundamental rights. Proficient in English, Derrick maintains friendships with individuals from various parts of the world, cultivating a global perspective from the comfort of his home.
Mozambique: Gleds Cherutem, 19
Child Rights Advocate
Gleds is a 19-year youth advocate who is since a very young age dreamed to be a doctor. She wanted to help people. Today she is studying her first year of medicine and she is very happy. Gleds has supported various causes, being part of different projects focused on disability, she was president of the children's council in her province, and she is part of an association of young leaders. She advocates for child rights and for ending early child marriage.
Mozambique: Hiris Jamal, 19
Education Advocate
Hiris Jamal is 19 years old, lives in Nampula and is in the final year of her law degree. She has participated in various projects such as the Children's Parliament and the Girl Move Project. The Right to Education is what fascinates her most, and she considers advocating for the rights of the child with UNICEF is her biggest call. The Girl Move Project changed her life as was able to mentor 30 girls. The main objective of this project is to encourage not to drop out of school and to accompany girls who are in the last year of primary school to enter secondary school.
Mozambique: Mariamo Iahaia Alvaro, 18
An Advocate for Education
Mariamo Iahaia Alvaro, an 18-year-old youth advocate who aspires to bring about positive change. In a bustling home with her father, stepmother, and nine siblings, Mariamo envisions a future focused on education and empowerment. She actively engages in issues related to education and nutrition, aiming to contribute to children's well-being. With excellent communication skills and a confident demeanor, Mariamo influences her peers in cultural activities and literature. Her critical analysis extends to issues like early marriages, cultural factors, child labor, and referral mechanisms involving parents and local authorities. Mariamo is a beacon of resilience, determination, and advocacy, poised to make a lasting impact on her community and beyond.
Mozambique: Simão Junior, 15
Climate Advocate
Simao is from Sofala province in Central Mozambique, one of the most affected by cyclone IDAI in 2019. He is one of the young producers of Radio Mozambique and he is very passionate for sharing information to change people's life. Simao raised his voice to raise awareness on harmful behaviors affecting the environment. After Cyclone IDAI, he learned a lot about climate change and became passionate to advocate for climate action.
Mozambique: Mesthya Muhanaya Monteiro, 17
Mesthya Muhanaya Monteiro, is a 17-year-old youth advocate. She began her career at 13 as a presenter and reporter on Mozambique Television's youth program "Roda Viva," advocating for children's rights. Passionate about learning through human interaction, she enjoys reading books addressing issue of racism and discrimination. Mesthya envisions an ideal world characterized by education, security, health, and respect for all. As a young albino, she inspires others with her self-esteem, motivating fellow individuals with albinism. Dedicated to preventing racism, HIV/AIDS, teenage pregnancy, gender-based violence, and early marriages, she actively contributes to positive change.
Mozambique: Weiss Pambe, 19
Child Right Advocate
Weiss Tiago Pambe is 18 years old from Maputo City, he used to be presenter and reporter of the children's programme on the Mozambique Television (TVM) and member of the Children's Parliament at Maputo City level. Weiss joined UNICEF in September 2019 when he was 15 as a Youth Advocate to support spreading the word about children's rights in the environment he interacts with, as part of his desire to contribute to changing the world.
Mozambique: Suale Anli, 22
Suale Anli, is a 22-year-old youth advocate. He is a testament to resilience and commitment to positive change. Despite facing displacement and victimization, Suale completed Grade 12, emphasizing his dedication to education. He advocates for polio eradication, his commitment to advocating for child rights. Is outstanding. Suale leads a local group for essential skills and vocational guidance, fostering self-development for the greater good. He envisions a world characterized by respect, love, solidarity, and devoid of discrimination.
Mozambique: Yura de Cintia, 14
Children's Rights Advocate
Yura is 14 years old and lives in northern Mozambique and she is a member of the children's parliament. In the children's parliament she has a space to express children's concerns on various subjects. She delivers sessions in her community on child marriage. Yura does many activities including radio talks, training around early marriage and children's rights.
Mozambique: Yumina Nota, 13
Yumina Nota, a 13-year-old youth advocate who embodies a remarkable blend of charisma, positivity, and a dedicated commitment to making a positive impact on the world. As the host of "Roda Viva" on Mozambique TV, she amplifies youth voices, addressing critical issues. In her leisure time, Yumina finds inspiration in books, envisioning a world where every individual's rights, especially children's, are acknowledged, respected, and protected.
Tanzania: Emmanuel Cosmas Msoka, 19
Innovator, child rights and youth activist
Emmanuel is a young innovator and champion for children’s rights. He is also the vice-chairperson of Arusha Junior Council. As an innovator, Emmanuel designed a simple system to improve security at homes and zoos. During COVID-19 school closure, he spent his time assisting children at Faraja orphanage in Arusha to proceed with learning whilst also teaching and guiding them to take recommended health precaution measures for COVID-19. He didn’t stop there, as part of his way to promote COVID-19 awareness he innovated a simple WASH facility at the center, which does not require one to touch the tap to release water which has been essential in COVID-19 prevention.
Tanzania: Godlisten Boniphace Irunde, 17
Child rights advocate and young leader
Godlisten Boniphace Irunde is a student at Mtoni Secondary School in Mwanza, Tanzania. He is an advocate for fellow children and adolescents, a vice president of the Junior Council in the United Republic of Tanzania and a Chairperson of Mwanza Young Reporters' Network.
Apart from being academically driven, he participates in out-of-school activities such as math genius cup competitions and ward junior council meetings, and has met with many political leaders and celebrities. This exposure has helped him develop new skills and experience in areas including advocacy, ethics, volunteerism and communication skills.
He also enjoys playing football and video games, singing, reading books and mind-challenging activities. He is eager to get involved in even more programmes.
As a UNICEF youth champion, Godlisten will be advocating for key issues affecting children and the young people of Tanzania.
"I wish to have a best Tanzania with children who have self-esteem and useful for Tanzania's future and today's development."
Tanzania: Madina Kimaro,18
Climate activist
Madina is UNICEF Tanzania's newly appointed youth advocate for climate change action and resilience. She is a member of the Tanzania Girl Guides Association and is passionate about pursuing Accountancy. As an experienced volunteer with local and international organizations, Madina has participated in climate change workshops and delivered climate change and waste management trainings for environmental clubs in public schools. She promotes organic compost instead of chemical fertilizers and organic cooking coal instead of charcoal.
Madina is looking forward to publishing a children’s book on climate change.
Tanzania: Nabiha Kassim, 20
Sexual reproductive health and child rights advocate
Nabiha Kassim is a graduate from Lumumba Secondary School and a member of Youth of United Nation Association from Zanzibar.
Nabiha volunteers to combat many issues and challenges that face youth, such as HIV/AIDS and sexual reproductive health and rights. She also works with various organizations toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Nabiha is a Convention of Rights of the Children champion and during consultations with members of parliament in 2019, used her voice to address challenges in education for children and adolescents in Tanzania. She is also among the adolescents and young people who will be championing keys issues affecting young Tanzanians among various stakeholders, as a road map to the high-level event commemorating 75 years of UNICEF.
"I am very passionate about things such as helping people, motivating them, fighting against depression and raising my voice for child rights where required. My message for the people out there is: Be someone's sunshine when their skies are grey."
Timor-Leste: Maria Vitória “Marvi” da Costa Borges, 21
Singer and UNICEF Youth Advocate
Maria, popularly known as Marvi, is one of Timor-Leste’s top singers nationally and globally. She has always loved singing and in 2006 took part in a talent competition organized by UNICEF for thousands of Timorese who were living in displacement camps during a political crisis.
She has gone on to complete several competitions, and her crowning moment was when she won “The Voice of Portugal.” Marvi was appointed a UNICEF Timor-Leste Youth Advocate in 2019 and has since been an advocate for children and youth. In September 2019, she spoke at a national conference on health for adolescents, advocating for child rights, quality education and youth empowerment.
Zimbabwe: Nkosilathi (Nkosi) Nyathi, 18
Climate change and environmental issues advocate
Nkosilathi Nyathi, from Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, has been a climate change and environmental issues advocate since he was 10 years old when he actively participated in his school’s environmental club. Since 2015, he has been engaged with UNICEF and Greenline Africa, advocating for climate action in many fora and events and being a voice of young people on climate change in Zimbabwe and Africa.
Over the years Nkosi’s passion for climate change issues, which stem from the continued environmental degradation he has witnessed in his hometown, has motivated him to participate in important climate change initiatives around the world. He travelled to the COP25 Climate Summit in Spain in 2019, where he joined children and young people from around the world calling on world leaders to urgently address the climate and biodiversity challenges facing the world.
In February 2020, Nkosi participated in the sixth session of the African Regional Summit on Sustainable Development in Victoria Falls, making a passionate opening speech in the presence of world leaders including the United Nations Deputy Secretary General, Amina Mohammed, and President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Europe and Central Asia
Denmark: Selma De Montgomery, 17
Climate activist
Selma has been advocating for her right to a livable planet since she was 13. As one of the most influential voices on climate change in Denmark, she has argued for children’s rights and for climate action with politicians, decision makers and the public in media, debates, and demonstrations. She is also a part of The Danish Green Youth Movement.
Selma is the first Youth Advocate for UNICEF Denmark, with whom she will focus on the climate crisis as a child rights crisis.
Greece: Effie Zografou, 22
Advocate for child protection
Effi Zografou is from Athens and is studying to become an occupational therapy assistant. She grew up in an institution herself, so as a Youth Advocate for UNICEF, she wants to work on issues regarding deinstitutionalization for both typically developing children and children with disabilities, as well as on child protection and issues of young people’s sexuality.
She has participated in various events concerning child protection issues, with a special focus on deinstitutionalization and was also a member of UNICEF’s Youth Steering Committee for the implementation of the European Union's "Child Guarantee" programme.
Greece: Εfi Zafeiropoulou, 17
Advocate for youth participation
Efi Zafeiropoulou from Athens is a high school student and her goal is to study law. As a youth advocate, she wants to contribute to issues related to the importance of active youth participation in decision-making processes and inclusive education, aiming to provide equal opportunities to all children without discrimination.
Greece: Panagiotis Raptis, 11
Disabilities rights advocate
Panagiotis Raptis is the youngest of our youth advocates from Greece. He is a fifth-grade student and would like to become a lawyer or sports journalist. As a UNICEF youth advocate, he wants to be actively involved in inclusion and integration of people with disabilities and rare diseases in society.
Panagiotis plays the main character in UNICEF Greece’s campaign on inclusive education, run in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs. He has participated in a series of meetings and discussions on issues concerning children with disabilities in the country.
Greece: Stavros Yiouvannis, 19
Advocate for inclusion
Stavros studies economics at the University of Macedonia. As a member of the Roma community, he is particularly interested in issues of inclusion, social exclusion and education and has participated in human rights workshops in several organizations and universities. He also served as a member of UNICEF’s Youth Steering Committee for the implementation of the European Union's "Child Guarantee" programme.
Ireland: Beth Doherty, 18
Climate advocate
Beth Doherty has been involved in the climate movement since February 2019 as an organizer of the climate strikes. Since then, she has been active in advocacy around policy, education and systemic change. She is driven by a desire to see change coming from the people for a better future. She attended COP26 this year and is currently studying Law at the University of Cambridge.
Ireland: Ruairí Holohan, 16
LGBTQI+ rights advocate
Ruairí Holohan came out as gay at the age of 13 and is an advocate for the rights of the LGBTQI+ community. Ruairí is deeply concerned that young gay people deal with the daily threat of violence – both physical and verbal. His aim is to build respect and disrupt the stigma that young people like him face every day.
Ruairí is the youngest of three brothers. He studies theatre as well as ballet, jazz, modern and contemporary dance. He has a passion for law, politics, theatre, literature and languages. His biggest challenge at the moment is balancing life as a youth advocate with school.
Middle East and North Africa
Iraq: Mujtaba Alshawi, 20
Climate activist
Mujtaba is a member of UNICEF’s Young People Advisory Group and works on climate change issues with UNICEF. He has created content and participated in UNICEF’s annual review in Iraq as a voice of the youth. In September 2021, Mujtaba took part in UNICEF Youth Advocates Mobilization Lab, where he advocated for climate justice on behalf of youth in Iraq. He also met with Selwin Hart, Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Climate Action and Just Transition, to discuss the climate change crisis in Iraq and how the drought in the marshes of southern Iraq forces people to migrate.
Mujtaba is currently a dental school student and is from Missan, Iraq.
Iraq: Tuqa Mahdi, 20
Youth activist
Tuqa is a member of UNICEF’s Young People Advisory Group and has been collaborating with U-Report in Iraq, in partnership with the Iraqi Ministry of Youth and Sports. Tuqa also participated in UNICEF Iraq’s annual review in 2021, as a voice of youth in her city. She was able to discuss the challenges youth are facing in Iraq with decision-makers. She represented young people in a panel session with the Canadian Ambassador and the Iraqi Minister of Youth and Sports during the launch event of the Canadian project for youth skilling and entrepreneurship in Iraq.
Tuqa is a medical analysis student and is from the capital Baghdad.
Morocco: Meriam Amjoune, 13
Children's rights advocate
Meriam Amjoune won the Arab Reading challenge prize in 2018 when she was only 9 years old, making her the youngest recipient of the award. A lover of reading from an early age and a prolific speaker, Meriam has for years been sharing her passion with children and the general public.
Since the start of the COVID-19 crisis, she has supported different UNICEF campaigns and initiatives to raise awareness and advocate publicly for child rights in Morocco. She participated in the Childhood Appeal and Rendez-vous de UNICEF campaigns that support children, young people and their families. Meriam is also supporting the new campaign Faces and Stories that UNICEF is launching in Morocco on World Children’s Day.
"I am very proud to be collaborating with UNICEF in Morocco to make children's voices heard. I hope that my commitment will make a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable children. I will endeavor to promote a culture of children's rights," says Meriam.
Libya: Revan Ahmed, 12
Revan Ahmed is fiercely passionate about protecting the environment and fighting climate change. She was driven to take action after learning about the shocking impacts of water scarcity and climate change in Libya.She is a member of the Libyan Scouts and Guides movement and the Amalona Organization for Media and Comprehensive Development. She loves volunteering and persuading everyone around her about the need to adopt lifestyle choices that respect, preserve and protect the planet. Revan was a panelist at UNICEF’s Say It Louder campaign and the youngest member of the UNICEF delegation in COP27 in 2022.
Sudan: Enas Yousif, 22
Disabilities, education and women’s empowerment advocate
Enas Yousif is from Port Sudan in Eastern Sudan’s Red Sea State. As a young person who is deaf, she is passionate about raising awareness and advocating for the rights of deaf people, people with disabilities and special needs, the rights to education, and women’s empowerment.
As a UNICEF Youth Advocate, Enas will reflect the needs of people with disabilities and their participation towards positive development. In 2019, Enas and her friends participated in the Generation Unlimit Challenge, supported by UNICEF. Their project focused on creating cultural centers for teaching sign language covering social, cultural, medical and educational topics, to spread sign language for both the deaf and non-deaf. Enas’s team was among the top 10 and succeeded in raising awareness for people who are deaf.
"I’ll support, raise awareness and encourage people with disabilities to speak up and participate, know their rights, demand them, and help each other realize their rights," said Enas. "It’s Important to hear voices of youth, especially with disabilities because they’re the future".
Sudan: Makhtom Abdalla, 20
Advocate for education, child rights and youth
Makhtoum Abdalla is passionate about equal access to quality education for all children and young people. From Nyala, South Darfur in the western part of Sudan, Makhtoum believes investment in education is strategic for any country that wishes to progress.
While growing up in a camp for internally displaced people, he continued to raise awareness on education, child rights, improvement in health services and investments in young people. He taught himself English, Turkish and is currently learning French and Spanish. His dream is to become a doctor to ensure the healthcare system advances with equitable access to good healthcare.
As a UNICEF Youth Advocate, Makhtoum will use his voice to inspire other young people to strive towards their goals, learn and reimagine a brighter future. "Education can take us from the darkness to light," said Makhtoum. "I’m over the moon to be a Youth Advocate. When I was born, I faced countless problems, but I didn’t stop dreaming for big things. Nothing will change unless you change."
Sudan: Monzir Mohammed Awad, 20
Innovator, environmental activist
Monzir Mohammed Awad is an environmental activist and innovator from Damazin, capital of Sudan’s Blue Nile State. The 17-year-old founded Future Generations with a group of like-minded and passionate youth, with the collective goal of positively changing their country and future.
Monzir and his team are from internally displaced and conflict-affected communities. However, his vision for what he and others like him can accomplish, knows no bounds. His interests include the environment, education, youth empowerment, and inventing things. One such product Future Generations built is a solar-powered car – an idea born out of the negative impact of pollution and constant challenges in getting to school.
"As a youth advocate, I’ll take the responsibility to support youth and advocate for their rights," said Monzir. "My goal is to change our practices to ensure a healthier environment and new innovations that next generations can benefit from. Youth have the right to speak up, be leaders, participate and find solutions for the issues they’re facing in their lives."
Yemen: Areej Essam, 16
Children's Rights Advocate
Areej Essam, 16, from Yemen, promotes for child rights in collaboration with UNICEF Yemen. She started to advocate for the rights of children in Yemen; to have access to water, education, peace and protection since 2019. She visits children and take part in UNICEF events in Yemen to promote for their rights. She also has recorded several videos and participated in virtual meetings with goodwill ambassadors for UNICEF.
Areej aims to continue advocating for children to live in peace and receive quality education.
Yemen: Mariam Khalid, 19
Peace and child rights advocate
Mariam advocates for children's rights to have access to proper facilities, education and to empower them to be able to build their country in the future. Mariam believes the key to face the world is in resilience. Mariam participated in a creative writing workshop by UNICEF & a local NGO in 2019 and takes parts in UNICEF initiatives such as Poems for Peace, and other activities.
Yemen: Wesam Munawar, 18
Wesam is an 18-year-old youth advocate from Yemen. He was among the children supported by UNICEF in Yemen through the Prosthetics Center in Aden. Wesam actively contributes to advocating for children's rights, particularly for those who have fallen victim to violence. Having been a victim of the conflict in Yemen himself, Wesam stepped on a landmine at the age of 11, resulting in the loss of his arm, leg, and eyesight. Currently enrolled in college, Wesam actively participates in UNICEF activities to champion child rights. He also has a nice voice and always sings to raise awareness.
South Asia
Bangladesh: Farzana Faruk Jhumu, 24
Climate activist
After having witnessed the severe impacts of climate change in Bangladesh, Farzana started advocating for climate action and youth participation in climate decisions. She plays active roles in Fridays for Future, Feminist Action Coalition for Climate Justice and in coordinating the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty with 350.org.
As a UNICEF Youth Advocate, she aims to represent the voices of millions of children and champion their rights for a better planet. As an established voice in climate justice, Farzana dreams of a world where countries like Bangladesh will not be a victim of climate catastrophes.
Bangladesh: Raba Khan, 23
Social media influencer and YouTuber
Raba is a multi-platform entertainer, performing primarily in the fields of comedy and music. Raba burst into the internet comedic scene of Bangladesh in 2014 with YouTube channel named “The Jhakanaka Project” and developed her Jhakanaka Raba brand on social media. Since then she has branched into television and radio shows. Raba is passionate about children’s rights and ending violence aganist children.
India: Gauranshi Sharma, 16
Advocate for Inclusion
Gauranshi Sharma is an inspiring advocate for the universal right to play and follow one's passions, regardless of background or abilities. Overcoming speech and hearing disabilities with unwavering support from her specially-abled parents, she achieved extraordinary success, including becoming a celebrated badminton champion and winning gold at the Deaflympics. Gauranshi embodies determination and resilience in the face of life's challenges.
Her eight-year association with UNICEF reflects her steadfast commitment to championing inclusion. Notably, during World Children’s Day in 2022, she passionately advocated for the role of sports in promoting inclusion and unity.
Gauranshi Sharma's journey inspires us all, demonstrating the boundless potential within when we believe in our dreams and embrace the spirit of inclusion.
Nepal: Nir Bahadur Shrestha, 23
Disability inclusion activist
Nir has a background in psychology and is a passionate advocate for inclusive development. He has been the president of the Blind Youth Association Nepal and a member of the Youth Advisory Group for Youth Power 2 Learning and Evaluation at Making Cents International. He has worked as an organiser for the Asian Youth Assembly in 2018 and the Global Youth Leadership Summit in 2019, and as a youth champion at the Association of Youth Organizations Nepal, the Global Youth Parliament and Visible Impact. Nir is also one of the winners of the National Volunteering Award 2020 jointly awarded by UN Nepal and the National Youth Council.
Nir is committed to shining a light on the challenges and needs of persons with disabilities.
Nepal: Pallavi Karn, 22
Nutrition activist
Pallavi is a keen believer in the transformative power of healthy and nutritious food for children and young people. She is an undergraduate with a major in nutrition and dietetics and has participated in a number of community-based nutrition awareness programmes and campaigns for schools. She recently interned at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital as a clinical dietitian and is a member of the Nepal Student’s Association of Nutrition and Dietetics. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Pallavi put her knowledge and skills to work as a dietary advisor for COVID-19 patients as part of the Dharan Medical Students’ Team in Nepal.
Nepal: Prakriti Bhattarai, 24
Activist against gender-based violence
Prakriti is the co-founder and chairperson of Political Literacy for Women, an organization which aims to increase Nepali women's knowledge about politics and is designed to provide learning, networking and leadership spaces for Nepali women and girls. She is also one of the lead campaigners of Ajha Kati Sahane, a nationwide movement calling for action against gender-based violence. As an outspoken proponent of gender equality and women’s rights, she has shared her insights at UNICEF’s South Asian Parliamentarian Platform for Children.
Prakriti has completed Leadership, Organizing and Action at Harvard Kennedy School. She currently works at Kantipur Television hosting women empowerment and elections debates across the country.
Nepal: Prashansha K.C., 21
Activist against gender-based violence
As someone wearing many hats – engineering student, filmmaker, YouTuber and social activist – Prashansha believes education is a key factor in eliminating early marriage. She has initiated different awareness campaigns to educate young people and families about the harms of early marriage and has been promoting the Pampha scholarship for a Diploma in civil engineering to girls of rural communities.
In 2020, and with support from UNICEF, she created Euta Sahayog – a film about mental health in the context of the pandemic – a touching message for young people on the importance of reaching out for help and not giving up.
Nepal: Shitanshu Dhakal, 22
Mental health activist
Shitanshu advocates for mental health – an area that has taken most of her attention since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. She is one of the co-founders of Aarogya Foundation for the mental well-being of adolescents, the Vice President of Leo Club of Kathmandu Empire and the founder of Kalyaan Foundation which was established to support access to mental health services and create mental health awareness.
Shitanshu has been featured in the Voice Gems digital exhibition at Davos and has been collaborating on a mental health video project with World Psychiatric Association as a youth representative from the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation.
Nepal: Shree Krishna Thapa, 24
Activist against gender-based violence
Shree Krishna was firmly engaged in social issues since he was a member of a UNICEF-supported child club established to create changemakers within communities. Over the years, Shree has been outspoken against gender-based violence. Today, he has 15 years of experience working in gender equality, including as a founder of Hami DajuVai, a feminist organization aimed at eliminating gender-based violence with a focus on men and masculinity.
Shree is also a skilled facilitator and trainer and is pursuing his master’s in Sociology at Tribhuvan University. He believes the small things we do can change the world.
Nepal: Sonika Poudel, 24
Climate activist
Sonika has been engaged in calling for social change from a very young age. She now focuses on raising awareness about climate change, its impacts and highlighting the urgency of climate action. As she pursues a graduate degree in Environmental Science at Oklahoma State University, she hopes to use scientific research to solve real environmental problems.
As an environmentalist, she is concerned about environmental issues, which have always captured her attention. Her dream is to establish a zero-waste society where people think twice before discarding anything, by educating them about Reduce, Reuse and Recycle – the 3 Rs of sustainable waste management.
Pakistan: Taqwa Ahmed, 16
Advocate for Inclusion
Taqwa Ahmad, a 16-year-old youth advocate from Gujranwala, Punjab, overcame spinal paralysis to champion inclusivity, activism, volunteering, and wheelchair sports. She excels in wheelchair karate and engages in activism for child rights, especially girls’ and disability rights. Nominated thrice for the International Children’s Peace Prize and honoured with the Pride of Pakistan award in 2021, Taqwa's motivational speeches inspire diverse audiences. With a broader platform, she aims to amplify her impactful messages, advocating for children with different abilities and advancing child rights in Pakistan, contributing significantly to national dialogues on unlocking children's potential.
West and Central Africa
Côte d'Ivoire: Aminata Savané, 23
Digital Education Advocate
As a young blogger, she has trained over 400 young girls and women in the field of digital and female leadership.
Côte d’Ivoire: Djedje Aurelia Esther, 16
Child rights advocate
After completing her training in Life Skills for Peace (CVC), she became the main facilitator of the Human Rights Education and Citizenship club at her school and motivated the creation of a board game on Life Skills for Peace.
Since August 2021, Aurélia has been the president of the National Federation of Children's Communal Councils of Côte d'Ivoire (FENACCE-CI), which comprises 25 Children's Communal Councils and involves 5000 adolescents aged 10-17.
Today, as the vice-coordinator of the national platform of children's organizations in Côte d'Ivoire, she is committed to protecting children's rights.
Côte d'Ivoire: Mathieu Kouamé, 19
Social inclusion advocate
For a long time, Mathieu was a victim of mockery, which led him to withdraw into himself. In his solitude, he discovered rap as a means of expression.
Today, through his socially conscious lyrics, he amplifies the voices of stigmatized individuals.
Côte d'Ivoire: Nama N'da Jacques, 23
Child rights advocate
Nama N'da Jacques is a youth reporter and promoter of the awareness project "1 Month, 1 Village in Côte d'Ivoire," which involves visiting a different village each month to identify challenges and disseminate information through local radios.
Finally, his ultimate ambition is to establish UNICEF youth reporter sites in every city and municipality in Côte d'Ivoire, collaborating with local radios to broadcast this program and raise awareness among the population.
Côte d'Ivoire: Wenceslas Kouamé, 22
Environment Advocate
Committed to protecting our planet through the NGO Green Ivory, he uses his communication skills to serve the environment. He was responsible for the digital communication of the Green Trails program in Côte d'Ivoire.
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Emmanuel Jidisa, 14
Environmental and child rights activist
Emmanuel Jidisa got a chance to defend child rights in the context of global climate issues and to give voice to young people by participating in the documentary Young people and climate change, which reached around 26,540,000 people in eight African countries — Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo Brazzaville, Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Gabon, Mali and Senegal. He also contributed to a report featuring concerns around environmental and climate challenges.
Over the years, Emmanuel’s remarkable commitment has continued to inspire other youth and children.
"I am proud to be a Congolese child and to be a youth advocate," he says. "Young people need to prepare for their future. What is important to me is to be able to defend my country and our future against deforestation. Sometimes deforestation is necessary to live, but we absolutely have to plant trees. Trees help us breathe and they are important for the climate."
In his new role as a UNICEF Youth Advocate, Emmanuel will continue to support UNICEF's work in the DRC to advance the rights of the child, promote youth participation in decision-making and ensure that the voices of the youngest are heard, especially on climate and environmental issues.
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Ketsia Passou, 18
Environmental and child rights activist
Ketsia Passou also spoke out on global climate issues by participating in the documentary Young people and climate change, which reached around 26,540,000 people in eight African countries. She also contributed to a report featuring concerns around environmental and climate challenges.
“In a world where the voice of young people doesn’t count sometimes, I wish to represent the Congolese youth,” she says. “I also wish to raise awareness and motivate young people to participate and to take their responsibilities. They must become superheroes to make things change, and notably to join the fight against climate change, for our future.""
In her new role as a UNICEF Youth Advocate, Ketsia will continue to support UNICEF's work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to advance the rights of the child, promote youth participation in decision-making and ensure that the voices of the youngest are heard, especially on climate and environmental issues.
Mali: Aminata Doumbia, 16
Mental Health Advocate
Aminata is a youth advocate born with cerebral palsy, she has been enrolled in a special school then the integrated school. Aminata joined the Malian Special Olympics Team in 2020 and participated in many national and international competitions. During the First African Games of Special Olympics in Cairo, Egypt in January 2020, she won 3 medals, At the World Summer Games Special Olympics International in Berlin in June 2023 she was fourth in the long jump and the 200 meters and the fifth in the 100 meters.
Mali: Mama Oumar Sabe, 15
Advocate for Inclusive Education
Mama is a student at Malian National Institute for the Blind and a child parliamentarian. Mama dream is to become an English teacher. Mama believes that Inclusive education #ForEveryChild, must be a priority, no matter what.
Mali: Makadidia Sall, 18
Education Advocate
Makadidia is an advocate for the right of girls to education and is committed to the fight against gender-based violence, and child marriage. With the support of UNICEF Mali, Makadidia has benefited from capacity building in advocacy and digital communication for the promotion of children's rights. She participated in the two seasons of the globally broadcast UNICEF series "Coping with COVID-19," providing her with an opportunity to advocate for the rights of girls. In 2023, Makadidia has been appointed as a member of the Global Girl Leaders Advisory Group and Youth Advocate for girls' right to education in here country.
Mali: Mariam Diabate, 20
Education Advocate
Mariam is a child artist and is currently studying at the National Conservatory of Arts and Digital Studies of Mali. Coming from a Malian traditional singer family “Griot”, with a love for the balafon (African musical instrument, similar to the xylophone), her dream is to become an internationally renowned Malian singer but would like to focus on raising awareness on children's rights, particularly the right to a quality education.
Senegal: Adama Diallo, 18
Girls’ rights activist
Adama is a young educator and the president of the Dabo girls' club in Senegal. She is also the Support Project coordinator for the National Strategy for Equity and Gender Equality and a member of the global consortium to fight against female genital mutilation (FGM). She has become a youth leader whom people go to, to report and/or find solutions against cases of early marriage or female genital mutilation.
Adama advocates for positive change: “a community where no child is abused, no girl is raped, no woman dies from health complications and no assistance.”
Senegal: Maguette Ba, 20
Environment advocate
Maguette is a Young Citizen Reporter, member of the Young Voices of the Sahel and is very active in the protection of the environment as a Young Volunteer for Environment in Senegal. She has represented Senegal’s youth at the AU-EU Head of State Summit, participated in the World Water Forum in Dakar, moderated Under the Palaver Tree – the first debate organized by Young UNICEF and was part of Senegal’s official delegation at COP27 (UN Climate Conference).
Maguette’s advocacy work focuses on schools: to educate the next generation on issues related to environment, education and protection.
Togo: Ablavi Bérénice Hagbegnon, 18
Child Rights Advocate
Ablavi Bérénice Hagbegnon is a youth advocates who contributes to raising awareness in local communities of the importance of birth registration, so that every child has a legal identity. She studies Cybersecurity at the Institute of Technology and serves as the Acting President of the Prefectural Advisory Council for Children (CCPE Zio) and the Zio Center Cluster of the NGO Compassion. In these leadership roles, she actively contributes to creating a safe and nurturing environment for children, promoting their well-being, and advocating for their rights.
Togo: Damili Francisca Pokanam, 23
Advocate for Inclusive Education
Damili Francisca Pokanam is a youth advocate and an International Relations and Diplomacy graduate with a dedicated focus on education advocacy. Committed to improving access to inclusive, quality education, she specifically champions the cause for children with disabilities. Through her efforts, Damili strives to create a more equitable world, ensuring that every child, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to thrive.
Togo: Hayathe Ayeva, 23
Gender Equality Advocate
Hayathe Ayeva is a youth advocate from Togo and the President of the Youth Action Movement (YAM) of the Togolese Association for Family Welfare (ATBEF) she is a graduate of Pharmaceutical Science and an activist on issues of sexual and reproductive health of children, adolescents, and youth. Hayathe is contributing to ensuring that all children are equal and enjoying their rights to the fullest.
Togo: Komlan Dominique Bocco, 23
Climate Action Advocate
Komlan Dominique Bocco is a youth advocate driven by a passion for creating positive change in the world. Komlan is committed to contributing to a healthier and safer environment for children by reducing pollution, preserving biodiversity, and guaranteeing air and water quality. He is also a young socio-educational animator, and will soon hold a degree in Organizational Communication.
Togo: Kossi Dieu-Donné Awolokou-Fiotekpor, 23
Pediatric Health Advocate (Pediatric HIV)
Kossi Dieu-Donné is a youth advocate who has been actively involved in the fight against HIV in Africa. As a peer educator and a youth advocate, he contributes to raising awareness and visibility for young people living with HIV, despite the ongoing stigma surrounding the disease.
