Lourdes Rivery is a One Young World Ambassador from Cuba. In her blog she reflects upon John Kerry’s first official state visit to Cuba and what that means for her generation. 

“The progress that we mark today is yet another demonstration that we don’t have to be imprisoned by the past. When something isn’t working, we can – and will – change it.” 

Cheick Faycal Traore is a One Young World Ambassador for Burkina Faso. He has recently been appointed as The Special Envoy for Youth Inclusion in the UN Post-2015 Development Agenda and the Governance of Burkina Faso, as the country shakes up its political system after the October 2014 uprising. 

Giselle Oliveira is a One Young World Ambassador and Founder and CEO of Eyes of the Street in Brazil. 

Brazil is the seventh largest economy in the world and the largest in Latin America. Yet, 30m of Brazil’s children live in poverty, struggling on the edges of the urban world to make their voices heard. We have never been so connected, but those at an economic disadvantage are becoming victims of a social divide. This increasing disconnection feeds not only the stereotypes of poverty, but also the stigma that poverty is often deserved.

Abel is a One Young World Ambassador and the President of the Natural Resources Research Initiative. Abel was trained in Civic Leadership at Tulane University, after being selected from thousands to take part in the Mandela Washington Fellowship Program, the flagship program of President Obama's Young African Leaders Initiative.

Janina Kuhagen is a One Young World Coordinating Ambassador from Germany, representing 10 countries in Europe, and actively engaged in several project initiatives. She has previously worked for Telefonica and was part of the Telefonica delegation to the One Young World Summit 2014 in Dublin, Ireland.

Kayode Odeleye is a One Young World Ambassador from Nigeria who is passionate about supporting the next generation into the world of work. He is a Coordinator at MentorConnect, an organisation developing the skills of young leaders. He is also an Associate Principal in Leveraged Finance at Standard Chartered Bank.

Marina Matsui is a One Young World Ambassador from Japan who is passionate about interfaith and intercommunity dialogue. Her language skills have allowed her to work as a translator for numerous international events, one of which took her to areas of Japan affected by the 2011 earthquake.

The Great East Japan Earthquake