The One Young World Politician of the Year Award recognises the world's most outstanding politicians between the ages of 18 - 35, who are using their positions to have a positive impact on young people in their communities and countries. Through their important work, these candidates highlight the benefit of including young people in politics.
These four young politicians have all been selected as winners based on the influential work they have carried out in their countries and communities.
The winners were selected from a shortlist by One Young World's expert judging panel, and will be presented with this award at the One Young World Summit Montreal, 2024.
The Winners
Elena Sofia Motta Kolleff
Elena made history in Guatemala as the youngest woman ever elected to Congress at just 22. She pursued a degree in political science, which she simultaneously worked full-time to fund while helping with the spending home, since the age 18. She was a leader of the student movement, where she advocated for a government that works for all, gender equality and the end of corruption. She was the head of the Tide Turners Plastic Program, dedicated to protect and clean the bodies of water around the country. She was a Scout for 20 years.
She was an intern for Semilla’s Congressman Bernardo Arévalo, who is now President. There, she became a part of Movimiento Semilla, a progressive anti-corruption Party. In 2023, Elena contested in the party’s primaries, securing a spot on the congressional ballot. They went on to win the election and became the most progressive government in a long time.
Elena's election took place amid big democratic threats. Despite a coup attempt, the people, she and her party ensured President Arévalo's inauguration January 14th, 2024. Now, in office, Elena is fighting to build a better country for the working class, women, and youth. She embodies the fight for progress.
Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke
Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, 21, is a New Zealand politician representing Te Paati Maaori, the only indigenous party in the country. She is the youngest MP since 1853. Her involvement in the political realm has allowed young Maaori and the younger generation to have a voice within New Zealand's democracy.
Maipi-Clarke has ancestry to many native tribes in Aotearoa, including Ngapuhi, Ngati Porou, Te Atiawa, Waikato, and Ngai Tahu. Her grandparents are staunch activists in Nga Tamatoa; her great-grandfather (x4), Wiremu Katene, became the first Maaori Minister of the Crown when he was appointed in 1872.
Maipi-Clarke received her education at Te Wharekura o Rakaumanga, a first-generation full immersion school, where she learned and became fluent in her native language. At age 17, she published her first book, Maahina, about the Maaori lunar cycle calendar and astronomy. She has gone on to create other educational resources, which she has applied within and outside of classrooms to educate young Maaori by decolonising the educational system with traditional Maaori knowledge and practices.
She, among others, founded a community garden in her local tribal area, Raahui Pookeka, to restore indigenous practices around food sovereignty. She then went on to create Aotearoa's first Food Sovereignty policy. Maipi-Clarke supported the Make It 16 campaign in parliament to lower the voting age.
Kamal Khera
The Honorable Kamal Khera was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Brampton West in 2015 where she become one of the youngest women to be elected to Canada’s Parliament. She previously served as the Minister of Seniors, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development, and Health.
Before entering politics, she worked as a registered nurse in the oncology unit at St. Joseph's Health Center in Toronto, an experience which allowed her to better understand the issues affecting the health and well-being of people on a daily basis. During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, she returned to her roots as a registered nurse, serving as a volunteer at a hard-hit long-term care center in her hometown of Brampton. Minister Khera continued to help by working on the front lines throughout the pandemic, including administering vaccines in her community.
As a community volunteer and a political activist who truly believes that diversity is Canada’s greatest strength, Kamal is motivated to create a better present and future for the residents of Brampton West. Kamal is dedicated to advocating for a prospering middle class, safer communities, equitable healthcare, empowering youth, and leaving a greener, peaceful, and more accessible world.
Ryyan Alshebl
Today, I am a Mayor. Nine years ago, I faced a fight for survival. In 2015, like many Syrians, I had a dilemma: military service for a warring party or an uncertain fate elsewhere. I chose the latter. Home, family, friends, studies, and my future were suddenly gone. For the first time, I lost the protection of my family. I felt alone but realized I had to take responsibility for myself and those around me. This marked a turning point and a new era for me. After weeks of escape, moving from one emergency shelter to another, I ended up in southern Germany.
Two weeks before Christmas 2015, I moved from the central refugee reception center in Karlsruhe to Calw in the Northern Black Forest. We lived in a container-like building, sharing a 20 sqm room with four others and sanitary facilities with ten. The biggest challenge was not speaking German. In 2016, I quickly got into an integration course, earning a B1 certificate in German by year-end. By Christmas 2016, I began an internship in Althengstett, leading to an apprenticeship as an administrative assistant in 2017.
In summer 2020, I completed my apprenticeship in the top 5% of my class in Baden-Württemberg. I applied for Mayor of Ostelsheim in January 2023 and was elected, becoming the first refugee to hold such an office in Europe.
My goal as Mayor is to achieve a climate-neutral community and a healthy social climate. Many young people see hope in my story, proving that it doesn't matter where you come from, but where you want to go.
