In the midst of numerous global challenges, OYW Ambassadors have demonstrated their continued leadership in their countries and communities. This week, Ambassadors have launched new projects, been featured by global forums and have engaged thousands of voters.
Have some news to share? The Community Team would love for you to get in touch via [email protected].
Arielle Kitio, Aya Chebbi, Christian Achaleke, Gregory Rockson, Ilwad Elman, Kiki Mordi
Most Influential Young Africans
Cameroon, Tunisia, Ghana, Cameroon, Somalia, Nigeria
Leading PR & Rating firm, Avance Media and Africa Youth Awards have announced the 5th annual publication of the 100 Most Influential Young Africans list for 2020.
Arielle Kitio, Aya Chebbi, Christian Achaleke, Gregory Rockson, Ilwad Elman, Kiki Mordi were all featured on the list, recognised for their outstanding contributions towards the development of Africa in a diverse range of fields.
Sebastian Arevalo Sanchez
Data Jam Hackathon
Colombia
With 34 teams, 158 participants and 29 experts from 13 countries and 4 continents, the DataJam Pasos Libres Online 2020 became the first-ever global technological competition in the anti-trafficking field. Hosted by Sebastian Arevalo Sanchez, this year's event was held online, bringing together more young innovators, experts and partners than ever before.
Imrana Alhaji Buba
Youth Advisory Council Appointment
Nigeria
Imrana Alhaji Buba was selected as one of the 10 Youth Advisory Council members of the USIP. The Youth Advisory Council meets regularly to bring together youth thought leaders and peacebuilding experts committed to the Institute’s mission and activities.
Maria Alejandra Tellez
Climate Change Documentary Project
Colombia
Retratos del Campo: Mujeres de Tierra y Agua" is a documentary project created and produced by Maria's organisation - Climalab - that seeks to highlight the relationship between climate change, gender and rurality throughout the life histories of women from different generations in the region of Boyacá, Colombia. The documentary shows the social impacts associated with climate change and its effects on the most vulnerable communities.
Watch the trailer →
Lyle Malander
Top Chartered Accountant
South Africa
Lyle Malander was featured in Accountancy South Africa's list of their top 40 young chartered accountants. Lyle is the Co-Chair of One Young World's South African Task Force for Finance and Business 2030 which is mobilising young finance professionals to tackle the Sustainable Development Goals.
Liz Alarcon
Latinx Voter Turnout Campaign
Venezuela
In early November, Pulso - founded by Liz Alarcon - drove one of the largest digital friends & family get-out-the-vote (GOTV) campaigns for Latinx in the United States. Their latest project, Noticias Para Inmigrantes, was powered by their more than 2 million subscribers.
Based on previous controlled trials of voter turnout campaigns, Pulso estimates that the campaign drove more than 57,000 additional voters to the polls.
Yosuke Nagai, Caritta Seppä
Paris Peace Forum Featured Projects
Japan, Finland
Caritta and Yosuke were selected to present their projects at the Paris Peace Forum (PPF) as two of 100 #SolutionsforPeace.
Yosuke's project - the RPA model - is an innovative three-step approach towards counter-extremism, especially in de-radicalizing and reintegrating ex-violent extremists in a penal institution. Tespack, founded by Caritta, designs and develops unique solar backpacks and solar-powered chargers that power portable devices.
Fagan Abdurahmanov
Leadership Appointment
Azerbaijan
Fagan has been promoted to Chief Adviser at The State Agency on Renewable Energy Sources for Azerbaijan. Working to make his country more clean, sustainable, and efficient, Fagan is working to install solar and wind power plants which will generate a huge amount of clean energy to transmit via the country’s energy grid.
Naz Kawan
Distributed 300,000 Masks
Earlier this year, Naz helped to establish Mondmaskerfabriek, the first mask-making factory in the Netherlands. The company currently employees 23 people with a refugee background.
The team recently shipped their first delivery of 300,000 locally produced surgical masks to the Dutch government.
Kenny Imafidon
Video Campaign Feature
United Kingdom
Kenny's story is one of the latest to be featured in one of BecomingX's films. BecomingX is an education social enterprise that aims to create a world where everyone can realise their potential. Co-founded by Bear Grylls, they aim to demystify what it takes to succeed and to help people build the confidence and skills to succeed. His story is featured alongside the likes of Courtney Cox, Roger Federer, and Valerie Amos.
Watch the video →
Carol Gonçalves, Isabela Sousa
Councilwomen Leadership Bid
Brazil
Carol Gonçalves and Isabela Sousa ran to be the Councilwomen in Brazil for the Toritama and Salvador municipalities. Both Carol and Isabel were selected to attend the One Young World Summit 2019 as part of a scholarship programme created by fellow Ambassadors, Fernando Scodro, and Federal Deputy, Tabata Amaral de Pontes.
Tom Marshall
Podcast Series
Tom is the Founder and Lead Trainer at Extraordinary life, a non-profit foundation with a mission to make personal development accessible for everyone.
A professional speaker and career coach, Tom's latest project is a series of 12 podcasts. Based on his 12 principles for an extraordinary lift, each episode features an extraordinary person.
21 October
Jesus Taberes moderated a panel discussion, co-hosted by Fundación Corona and Global Opportunity Youth Network, on the challenges and opportunities for youth in the 4th Industrial Revolution.
10 November
Caritta Seppa took part in the MQ! Virtual Innovation Summit 2020 as part of a panel discussion on the topic of 'Inquire. Inspire. Ignite: How to spark growth by turning Europe into a powerhouse of innovation'.
10 November
John Jal Dak spoke on a webinar organised by Open Society Foundations Oxfam on the topic of 'Global Problems - Local Solutions: Connecting with leaders working in refugee settings'
11 November
Jasmine Burton took part in the 2020 Techstars Startup Week Atlanta, speaking as part of the Social Impact track in the 'Innovations for Health Equity' session.
11 November
Canada
Kehkashan Basu spoke at an intergenerational panel on the future of leadership and the role of young leaders in accelerating the implementation of the SDGs. Fellow panellists included Former Canadian Prime Minister Kim Campbell, Former Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou and Lord Alderdice.
11 November
Christian Achaleke and Kurba-Marie Questelles took part in an open forum discussion, titled 'The Power of Youth to Build Peace in the Commonwealth'. The session was organised by the CVE unit in partnership with the CYPAN network.
12 November
Local insights from the Future Health Index 2020 were presented in a webinar hosted by Philips and MedicalBrief. The panel featured Dr Shakira Choonara, a research-advocacy specialist in public health and 2017 Woman of the Year in Health, South Africa.
16 November
James Paek was a speaker on a webinar titled "QUALITY EDUCATION: A Potent Weapon In Combating Emerging Global Challenges". The webinar was designed with students in mind, particularly for those whose dream of accessing quality and affordable education appears unachievable.
Amanda Nguyen
United States
Amanda Nguyen is one of 10 winners of the first-ever Elevate Prize and will receive a minimum of $300k in prize funding, professional development services and access to a powerful network.
Tim Keaveney
United Kingdom
Homethings, co-created by Tim Keaveney, was featured on Suitcase's list of 'Nine of the UK's Best Sustainable Subscription Boxes'. Sidestepping single-use plastics, the Keep It Clean Kit includes three glass bottles that can be refilled with non-toxic, vegan-friendly cleaning tablets that dissolve in water.
Loujain al Hathloul
Saudi Arabia
Loujain al Hathloul has been awarded the 2020 Magnitsky Human Rights Award. A Saudi women's rights activist, Loujain remains unjustly imprisoned in Saudi Arabia for defying the ban on women driving in the country.
Kehkashan Basu
Canada
Kehkashan Basu has been selected as one of the Corporate Knights TOP 30 UNDER 30 Sustainability Leaders of Canada and will join an awe-inspiring group of Indigenous leaders, social entrepreneurs, non-profit founders, and beyond.
Vincent Egunlae
United Kingdom
Vincent was one of the winners of the 2020 UK Social Mobility Awards in the 'Rising Star' category for his work driving forward diversity and inclusion within Grant Thornton.
Amadu Salamu
Ghana
The National Council of Zabarma Chiefs of Ghana appointed Alhaji Salamu Amadu as the National Youth Ambassador for the Zabarma community of Ghana.
Robin Lewis
Japan
mymizu, founded by Robin Lewis, has won the Ministry of Environment's 'Good Life Award' which is one of Japan's top environmental awards. The award recognises initiatives across Japan that are creating value for both people and planet.
Daniela Fernandez
Ecuador
Daniela Fernandez, a winner of the 2020 One Young World Entrepreneur of the Year Award, was selected as one of the Women's Forum's Rising Talents for 2020.
Pratik Gauri
India
Nimco Ali
United Kingdom
Mariee Payne
United Kingdom
