Meet the 2022 Class of Young Leaders for the SDGs

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 which resulted in more than 5,400 submissions from over 190 countries, the 2022 Young Leaders for the SDGs were selected. They hail from all corners of the world and work across all pillars of the UN.

A diverse group of individuals representing the 2022 class of Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals.
Young woman with hair pulled back smiles next to a logo and the text "MAYADA ADIL (she/her) Fashion Designer, Medical Doctor & Co-Founder of La Loupe Creative"

Mayada Adil

(she/her)
Fashion Designer, Medical Doctor & Co-Founder of La Loupe Creative

Young woman with long brown hair smiles and poses next to a logo and the text "ALYSSA CARSON (she/her) Aspiring Astronaut, Girls in STEM Advocate & Influencer"

Alyssa Carson

(she/her)
Aspiring Astronaut & Girls in STEM Advocate

Young man with glasses smiles next to a logo and the text "OKAN DURSUN (he/him) Education and Social Entrepreneur & Co-Founder of Twin Science & Robotics"

Okan Dursun

(he/him)
Education and Social Entrepreneur & Founder of Twin Science & Robotics

Young man in suit jacket smiles and poses next to a logo and the text "EMMANUEL GANSE (he/him) Civic and Digital Rights Campaigner & President of Tonafa Institute"

Emmanuel Ganse

(he/him)
Civic and Digital Rights Campaigner & President of Tonafa Institute

Young woman with black hair and glasses smiles next to a logo and the text "RICHA GUPTA (she/her) Education Innovator, Social Entrepreneur & Co-Founder of Labhya Foundation"

Richa Gupta

(she/her)
Education Innovator, Social Entrepreneur & Co-Founder of Labhya Foundation

Young man smiling and posing next to a logo and the text "JAMAL HILL (he/him) Paralympic Medalist, Disability Advocate & Founder of Swim Up Hill Foundation"

Jamal Hill

(he/him)
Paralympic Medalist, Disability Rights Advocate & Founder of Swim Up Hill Foundation

Young woman in yellow shirt smiling next to a logo and the text "VARAIDZO (VEE] KATIVHU (she/her) Education Activist, YouTuber & Founder of Empowered by Vee"

Varaidzo (Vee) Kativhu

(she/her)
Education Activist, YouTuber & Founder of Empowered by Vee

Young man smiling next to a logo and the text "GIBSON KAWAGO (he/him) Climate Entrepreneur & Founder of WAGA"

Gibson Kawago

(he/him)
Climate Entrepreneur & Founder of WAGA

Young woman with long black hair posing next to a logo and the text "RONELLE KING thefter Gender Justice Activist & Founder of Life in Leggings"

Ronelle King

(she/her)
Gender Justice Activist & Founder of Life in Leggings

Young woman with short brown hair and a colorful shirt smiles next to a logo and the text "LUISA FRANCO MACHADO (she/they) Digital Rights and Data Justice Activist & Influencer"

Luísa Franco Machado

(she/they)
Digital Rights & Data Justice Activist

Young man with glasses and a suit jacket smiles next to a logo and the text "PAUL NDHLOVU (he him) HIV/AIDS Advocate & Radio Champion at Zvandiri"

Paul Ndhlovu

(he/him)
HIV/AIDS Advocate & Radio Champion at Zvandiri

Young woman with blue headscarf poses next to a logo and the text "KARIMOT ODEBODE (she/her) Poet, Gender Equality Activist & Founder of Black Girl's Dream"

Karimot Odebode

(she/her)
Poet, Gender Equality Activist & Founder of Black Girl’s Dream

Young man with mustache wearing a scarf and hat smiles next to a logo and the text "LEONARDO PÁRRAGA (he/they) Peace Advocate & Founder of Fundación BogotArt"

Leonardo Párraga

(he/they)
Peace Advocate, Artist & Founder of Fundación BogotArt

Young woman with glasses and brown hair smiles next to a logo and the text "ISIDORA GUZMÁN SILVA Gretes. Inclusion and Disability Rights Activist & Founder of Encuentra tu Lugar"

Isidora Guzmán Silva

(she/her)
Inclusion and Disability Rights Activist & Founder of Encuentra tu Lugar

Young man with glasses and black hair smiles next to a logo and the text "EDDY FRANK VASQUEZ (ne/him) Climate Activist & Founder of Juventud Sostenible"

Eddy Frank Vasquez

(he/him)
Climate Activist & Founder of Juventud Sostenible

Young woman with long black hair smiling and holding a bouquet of flowers next to a logo and the text "HANYUAN (KAREN] WANG (she/her) Climate Tech Entrepreneur, Researcher & Founding Member of Carbonbase"

Hanyuan (Karen) Wang

(she/her)
Climate Tech Entrepreneur, Researcher & Founding Member of Carbonbase

Young woman with glasses and headscarf smiles at the camera next to a logo and the text "HEELA YOON (she/her) Peace Advocate & Founder Afghan Youth Ambassadors for Peace"

Heela Yoon

(she/her)
Peace Advocate & Founder of Afghan Youth Ambassadors for Peace