In the midst of numerous global challenges, OYW Ambassadors have demonstrated their continued leadership in their countries and communities. This week, Ambassadors have launched multi-million dollar funds, announced their candidacy for office, and been recognised by the UN. Learn more below.
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Adam Bradford
Launched $5M fund
United Kingdom
Global non-profit program AdamStart, founded by social entrepreneur and One Young World Ambassador Adam Bradford, has announced it will be launching a $5M fund which will support sustainable youth-led businesses across Africa which are tackling society’s biggest problems.
The new fund will be financed by private investors and will be chaired by a high profile board of innovators, businesspeople and public figures who have an interest in developing Africa and the world’s youth.
Dickel Dia
Africa Union Award
Mauritania
Dickel was selected by the African Union to be the Saleema Youth Victorious Ambassador for the North Africa region
Dickel is the founder of AFPHY, an organisation that stands against gender-based discrimination and violence by promoting equal rights and generating jobs for women and girls across rural areas in Mauritania.
Meron Semedar
Running for office
Eritrea, United States
Meron Semedar is a candidate for the Oakland City Council, District 3 in the 3 November 2020 election.
With 15 years of community organisation, activism, human rights and immigration advocacy experience, Meron hopes to use his skills to uplift the community in District 3 and the greater Oakland area.
Satta Sheriff, Zaheen Razin
UN SDG Young Leaders
Liberia, Bangladesh
Satta and Zaheen have been selected as two of 17 UN SDG Young Leaders for 2020, chosen on the basis of their work to tackle poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice.
They will serve as advocates for the SDGs, promote innovate ways of engaging audiences and peers with the Goals, and support the UN and partners on key moments and initiatives.
Salem Afeworki
Emerging energy leader
Eritrea
Salem was selected as a recipient of the 2020 Energy News Network 40 Under 40 awards. The program highlights emerging leaders and their work in the United States' transition to a clean energy economy.
The first Energy and Sustainability Services Manager for the city of Costa Mesa, Salem is responsible for developing and implementing citywide sustainability programs that are inclusive and build resilient communities.
Svanika Balasubramanian
WEF SDG Champion
India
Svanika is part of the 2020 Sustainable Development Impact Summit SDG Champions cohort. Nominated from the World Economic Forum Communities and external networks, this cohort comprises action-orientated voices whose work has achieved concrete progress towards the sustainable development agenda.
Svanika is the co-founder & CEO of rePurpose Global, a social enterprise creating a global community of conscious consumers, workplaces and businesses going plastic neutral by empowering informal urban waste workers worldwide.
María Alejandra Ramirez
Fundacion Compaz feature
Colombia
Fundación Compaz launched #ConectandoConLosQueHacenPaz, a campaign which aims to connect and inspire Colombians through a series of stories of leaders who are building towards peace in their communities. Maria was featured in a video where she speaks about her experiences of living in Colombia as a victim of conflict.
Dan Nyabadza
Published book
Zimbabwe
Dan Nyabadza recently published his book - 'Reaching The Summit' which explores a number of issues; from mental health and how technology is reshaping culture; to how identities evolve individually and in groups.
A former front line employee and tech startup founder in the technology domain, with international experience, Dan now spends most of his time writing and exploring how technology can be used for social good.
Andrea Orsag
Sustainable fashion series moderator
Slovakia
Moderated by OYW Ambassador Andrea Orsag, the #NordicTalksSFD2020 series gathered leading Nordic and Dutch fashion profiles to address the complex issues facing the industry today.
Andrea is a Sustainability and Circular Economy Evangelist and co-founder of MissionC, strategy advisory based in Amsterdam on a mission to accelerate the transition to Circular Economy on a global scale.
Isra Chaker
Jewellery collection launch
United States
Isra designed a jewellery collection in collaboration with Nominal. The pieces recognise the power of individual voice and being unapologetic in your identities and narrative, featuring statements such as 'My Voice Moves Mountains' and 'Change is on Us'.
Proceeds from this entire collection will be donated directly to Sawa for Development and Aid - سوا للتنمية والإغاثة, a non-profit organization supporting refugees in Lebanon and providing assistance to those impacted by the Beirut explosion.
Ceri Davies
BITC Inclusion feature
United Kingdom
Ceri Davis was featured Business Fights Poverty as part of their UNGA75 "how-to" series. Ceri, the Managing Director at More Mascots Please CIC, shared her insights on the role of businesses in addressing inclusion, specifically in reference to people with disabilities.
Sesame Mogotsi
Mo Ibrahim Foundation blog
Botswana
Last year, One Young World provided Sesame with the opportunity to attend the Ibrahim Governance Weekend in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. She is now part of the Foundation's Now Generation Network (NGN) which comprises of Mo Ibrahim Foundation (MIF) Scholars, Fellows and Young Leaders. The Foundation recently published Sesame's blog piece titled "COVID-19 in Africa: Tensions between government responses and civil liberties".
Media Coverage
Wandile Mythiane
South Africa
Zahin Razeen
Bangladesh
Sara Rajabli
Azerbaijan
