One Young World Ambassadors are leading projects in every country of the world, creating substantial social impact across all 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Every month our Coordinating Ambassadors select someone from their region who has created significant social impact locally, regionally or even worldwide.
This Month's Projects in Numbers
30 M+
plastic bottles eliminated from landfills
1 . 78 M+
people impacted through Ambassador-led projects
![Indigenous Guna Women collecting waste as part of Diwigdi's project](/sites/default/files/2024-07/Guna%20women%20collecting%20waste%20%281%29.jpg)
Meet the Ambassadors
![Photo of Brianne](/sites/default/files/split_2_col_img/2024-07/Ethique%20Brianne%20West%20190918%20Edited-293%20%282%29%20%281%29.jpg)
She/Her
Brianne West - New Zealand
Brianne founded Ethique in 2012 as the world’s first zero-waste beauty brand, with a mission to eliminate plastic waste in the beauty industry. Ethique pioneered solid beauty bars, which resulted in over 30 million plastic bottles being kept out of landfills during Brianne's tenure as CEO. In 2020, Brianne sold the majority of Ethique but continued to lead the company as CEO until 2023. The brand's innovative approach and sustainable ethos influenced industry standards and proved that environmental sustainability and profitability can coexist.
Building on the success of Ethique, Brianne founded Incrediballs, the world's first plastic-free drink tabs brand designed to eradicate single-use plastic bottles. Incrediballs offers a sustainable alternative with compostable packaging for drink concentrates, which can be diluted at home, significantly reducing the carbon footprint compared to traditional beverages. Incrediballs can provide 100 times the drinks in the same space, greatly reducing freight emissions. Additionally, Brianne is dedicated to fostering the next generation of sustainable businesses through mentorship and investment in startups that share her vision for a sustainable future. As an environmentalist and scientist, she uses evidence-based insights to inspire a global audience with practical advice, scientific facts, and innovative eco-friendly solutions.
![Diwigdi collecting rubbish](/sites/default/files/split_2_col_img/2024-07/Diwi%20Collecting%20%281%29%20%281%29%20%281%29.jpg)
They/Them
Diwigdi Valiente - Panama
Founded by Diwigdi Valiente in 2014, Burwigan is an art collective and environmental organisation based in Playon Chico, Guna Yala, Panama. Burwigan, meaning "little ones" in the Guna language, symbolises the group's mission to empower youth to take action against climate change and promote sustainable practices. Burwigan aims to raise awareness, inform, and inspire action on climate change and waste management through art and community engagement. It also empowers Indigenous youth with leadership skills and environmental knowledge. Burwigan's focus is to continue developing a comprehensive waste management system for a community of 5,000 people, and creating a strategic plan for the organised relocation to the mainland over the next 10 years.
Burwigan continues to inspire and mobilise the next generation of environmental leaders, integrating Indigenous wisdom with innovative solutions to address climate change and promote sustainability. The organisation remains committed to protecting the unique ecosystems of Guna Yala, ensuring a resilient environment for future generations.
Diwigdi is also the Senior Program Manager for the Coral Reef Conservation program at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). They are responsible for managing a large and complex global portfolio across five WCS regions and leading engagement, reporting, and strategic directions with 18 WCS country programmes.
![Photo of Justin speaking on stage](/sites/default/files/split_2_col_img/2024-07/WhatsApp%20Image%202024-06-21%20at%2010.35.20%20%282%29%20%281%29.jpg)
He/Him
Justin Graside
Justin created Politea, an AI-powered assistant designed to improve democracy for both politicians and the general public. Politea offers a public version of its product, trained with the country's laws and candidates' proposals during election campaigns. Citizens can ask questions in natural language and receive clear and straightforward answers on these topics.
The company’s premium version, the Politea Advisor, is an advanced AI tool that is able to offer public policy advice to subscribed politicians. It is trained with the laws of the 20 most advanced democracies in the world, making it capable of providing personalised advice on proposals, suggesting ideas to solve current problems, and much more. The tool is personalised and private for each politician who subscribes, tailored to their agenda and interests. This premium version is available internationally, and 87% of users reported that they used Politea to improve their proposals or parliamentary discussions.
The public version for citizens will be gradually rolled out in interested countries through local representatives. During its initial phase in Uruguay, this version received 7,116 specific inquiries about candidate proposals and approved laws.
![Photo of Lucy at the award ceremony](/sites/default/files/split_2_col_img/2024-07/unnamed%20%2812%29.jpg)
She/Her
Lucy Ellis-Keeler - United Kingdom
The Future Leaders Shadow Board (FLSB) of Women in Banking & Finance (WIBF) UK is a pioneering body designed to bridge generational divides and drive strategic initiatives within the financial services industry. Co-chaired by Lucy Ellis-Keeler, winner of the Banking & Capital Markets Rising Star Award in 2024, the FLSB leverages the insights and perspectives of future leaders to influence the direction and strategy of WIBF.
WIBF is a social enterprise, volunteer-led organisation committed to promoting diversity and gender equality in UK financial services since 1980. Serving professionals across sectors including banking, insurance, fintech, and law, WIBF offers events and support mechanisms to help individuals advance their careers. The shadow board is a group of young professionals who shadow WIBF's management board. This model introduces fresh viewpoints and innovative ideas, helping to shape relevant and forward-thinking strategies. The FLSB provides strategic input and executive support to the management board, ensuring that the organisation's plans and initiatives reflect early-career professionals' perspectives.
Under Lucy’s leadership, the FLSB has championed a student membership initiative, a mentoring programme, networking events, and workshops at One Young World, significantly contributing to the professional development of women in financial services.
![Photo of William](/sites/default/files/split_2_col_img/2024-07/Untitled%20design%20%284%29.png)
William Appiah - United States
One Young World Ambassador William Appiah has been a pivotal figure in championing education both within and outside of Deloitte, in line with the firm's commitments to trust and equity. As a mentor and dedicated corporate citizen, William enhances the skills of young individuals through his programmes, mentorship, and volunteer efforts. His significant contributions at Deloitte include managing the firm's partnership with Cristo Rey’s Work Study programme in New York, through which he has enriched numerous students with coaching, networking, and skills development opportunities.
William has led several initiatives focused on quality education and promoting equity. These initiatives range from skills enhancement workshops for high school students and NGO staff to book readings for elementary students and panel discussions on diverse topics like the impact of climate change on future work.
Beyond his professional role, William is a passionate storyteller and a four-time published author. His books, which explore themes of purpose, forgiveness, and moral goodness, are crafted in an emotionally driven style that provides readers with profound insights into human behaviour. His most recent release, The Prince & Peter, is a children's activity book.
![Photo of Jaime at the One Young World Summit](/sites/default/files/split_2_col_img/2024-07/1000021690%20%281%29.jpg)
She/Her
Jaime Brown - New Zealand
Jaime was selected to attend the One Young World Summit Belfast 2023, as part of a Project Change initiative at Concentrix, to bring to life her project. This initiative, focused on an online and interactive Deaf culture and Sign Languages training, has subsequently been created and rolled out to all 270,000 staff at Concentrix. The project aims to increase awareness of Deaf culture and Sign Languages, and make workplaces and services more accessible.
There are more than 70 million Deaf and hard of hearing people worldwide, with over 300 different Sign Languages in use. However, a general lack of awareness prevents access. Awareness creates a pathway for understanding, which leads to accessibility and one day equity.
Following the success of this initiative, Jaime and her Deaf husband are creating a charitable trust in New Zealand, through which they will host more of these courses on our website. These courses will be free for New Zealanders to access. Jaime is also the winner of One Young World’s Action Accelerator Programme 23/24: Practice Pitch Competition.
![Photo of Patricio speaking](/sites/default/files/split_2_col_img/2024-07/joven%20mbarete%20%281%29.jpg)
He/Him
Patricio Muñoz Perez - Paraguay
AgroInnovación PY Total was founded in 2018, driven by the need to find innovative solutions for small agricultural producers. These farmers, committed to organic production, face additional challenges due to prolonged and periodic droughts. Recognizing these challenges and the importance of being resilient in the face of climate change, Patricio and his team set out to develop technologies that allow farmers to continue producing organically.
AgroInnovación PY Total’s goal is to optimise the use of resources through automated and sustainable irrigation systems. In addition, the organisation empowers small farmers by providing them with the skills and knowledge necessary to take advantage of information technologies and artificial intelligence in the marketing and management of their products.
AgroInnovation PY Total provides a comprehensive approach that encompasses all facets of agricultural modernisation. This allows small producers to not only improve their efficiency in the use of water and energy, but also increase their sales and visibility in the market, all framed in a context of sustainability and respect for the environment. As a result, on average farmers working with AgroInnovation PY Total report a 67% decrease in water consumption due to greater efficiency.
![Photo of Pablo](/sites/default/files/split_2_col_img/2024-07/1718031186452%20%281%29.jpg)
He/Him
Pablo Olivera Faix - Equatorial Guinea
Pablo Olivera Faix is the President of the Equatorial Guinean Entrepreneurs Association, established in 2018 by several young people with the aim of joining forces and ideas to improve the business ecosystem in Equatorial Guinea. The association also seeks to expand economic opportunities for all entrepreneurs in Equatorial Guinea, enhance the business environment, while creating jobs and skills across the African continent. Its values are transparency, integrity, equality, collaboration, optimism, and perseverance.
One of the flagship projects of EMEG is the Lab for Entrepreneurial Women, which promotes the empowerment of women in Equatorial Guinea through a comprehensive approach to empowerment, human rights, gender, and emancipation. This project aims to provide tangible opportunities for women to reach their full potential and contribute to the sustainable development of the country. It is strengthening the participation and leadership of women in all areas of society.
The Entrepreneurial Women’s Lab is an educational workshop where women receive hands-on training in entrepreneurship, management, and funding for their businesses, along with guidance and support. This project provides participants with the necessary tools to launch, sustain, and promote their businesses, helping them contribute to their families' daily needs while also boosting the local economy and promoting social inclusion. So far, the project has worked with over 80 women entrepreneurs. Pablo also runs his own company (OLIVERA SERVICES) that offers consulting, training, and support services to businesses and entrepreneurs, collaborating with the Association to improve the Business Ecosystem.
![Photo of Esther](/sites/default/files/split_2_col_img/2024-07/1721467548910%20%281%29.jpeg)
She/Her
Esther Agbenla - Nigeria
As one of Africa’s largest and most impactful youth-serving NGOs, Junior Achievement (JA) Africa delivers hands-on, immersive learning across the core pillars of entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and work readiness programs. JA Africa has a presence in 20 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and collectively reaches more than 900,000 young people in more than 3,000 schools each year. Esther currently serves as Manager, Special Projects.
The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 saw the lockdown of schools and restrictions to traditional programmatic delivery in classrooms. As a result, JA Africa onboarded a multi-media strategy to enable it to continue impacting lives amidst this new reality. This involved leveraging conventional and digital media to reach more people across the continent, including the Cha-Ching Money Show with Adanna and Emeka, sponsored by Prudence Foundation. The show consists of eighteen 10-15 minute episodes, a three-minute clip of the animated Cha-Ching band, with the remaining seven minutes featuring two teenage presenters involved in engaging dialogue and activities with live audiences, and interviews with special guests.
Across digital and mainstream media, the Cha-Ching Money Show with Adanna and Emeka has empowered over 1.5 million households. The show teaches young people literacy, numeracy, critical thinking, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship skills.
Across digital and mainstream media, the Cha-Ching Money Show with Adanna and Emeka has empowered over 1.5 million households. The show teaches young people literacy, numeracy, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship skills.