Every two years, this flagship initiative recognizes 17 young change-makers who are leading efforts to combat the world’s most pressing issues and whose leadership is catalyzing the achievement of the SDGs. Following an open call for applications earlier this year, which resulted in more than 5,400 applications from over 190 countries, this next group of Young Leaders hail from all corners of the world and work across all pillars of the UN.
Mayada Adil
(she/her)
Fashion Designer, Medical Doctor &
Co-Founder of La Loupe Creative
Emmanuel Ganse
(he/him)
Civic and Digital Rights Campaigner
& President of Tonafa Institute
Varaidzo (Vee) Kativhu
(she/her)
Education Activist, YouTuber &
Founder of Empowered by Vee
Luísa Franco Machado
(she/they)
Digital Rights &
Data Justice Activist
Leonardo Párraga
(he/they)
Peace Advocate, Artist &
Founder of Fundación BogotArt
Hanyuan (Karen) Wang
(she/her)
Climate Tech Entrepreneur, Researcher
& Founding Member of Carbonbase
Alyssa Carson
(she/her)
Aspiring Astronaut &
Girls in STEM Advocate
Richa Gupta
(she/her)
Education Innovator, Social Entrepreneur
& Co-Founder of Labhya Foundation
Gibson Kawago
(he/him)
Climate Entrepreneur
& Founder of WAGA
Paul Ndhlovu
(he/him)
HIV/AIDS Advocate &
Radio Champion at Zvandiri
Isidora Guzmán Silva
(she/her)
Inclusion and Disability Rights Activist
& Founder of Encuentra tu Lugar
Heela Yoon
(she/her)
Peace Advocate & Founder of
Afghan Youth Ambassadors for Peace
Okan Dursun
(he/him)
Education and Social Entrepreneur &
Founder of Twin Science & Robotics
Jamal Hill
(he/him)
Paralympic Medalist, Disability Rights Advocate
& Founder of Swim Up Hill Foundation
Ronelle King
(she/her)
Gender Justice Activist &
Founder of Life in Leggings
Karimot Odebode
(she/her)
Poet, Gender Equality Activist &
Founder of Black Girl’s Dream
