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Since 2019, One Young World has partnered with the Future Generations Leadership Academy, led by the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, to enable existing leaders in Wales to connect with and learn from the next generation of leaders who have the right skills for the future. The Future Generations Leadership Academy launched in 2019, drawing young leaders from across all sectors in Wales who are pursuing action on a range of important matters on behalf of our current and future generations.
In 2023, five Future Generations delegates attended the One Young World Summit in Belfast and shared their impactful initiatives with young leaders from all around the world.
Described by The Guardian as the “World’s first minister of the Unborn”, Sophie Howe's role as the world’s first Future Generations Commissioner was to provide advice to the Government and other public bodies in Wales on delivering social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being for current and future generations and assessing and reporting on how they are delivering.
Sophie Howe - How Wales is leading the way on intergenerational justice - OYW 2019
2023 Future Generations Ambassadors
Samer Karrar
Senior Highways Engineer at London Borough of Newham
United Kingdom
Bio
Samer holds an MEng in Civil & Environmental Engineering from Cardiff University, an MSc in Environmental Policy & Regulation from the London School of Economics, and four years of consultancy experience in the transportation sector, where she worked on key infrastructure projects such as the M4 Smart Motorway Programme.
She has also worked with smaller local authority clients to procure and design sustainable transport systems, helping them achieve their climate goals. Samer’s professional and academic experience thus far has given her an appreciation of the complexity of environmental policymaking, including the dynamics of context, stakeholders’ involvement and processes, decision-making, the efficiency of these systems and how that translates to the engineering sector.
Samer was part of the 2022 cohort for the Future Generations Leadership Academy, where she was able to get a thorough understanding of the Well-being Future Generations Act (WBFG), build a diverse network, and develop other practical skills around advocacy, co-creation & project management. Furthermore, she was sponsored by the U.S. State Department to take part in the International Visitors Exchange Program on Green Technologies and Innovation, where she engaged with the private, public and NGO sectors in three different states to discuss some of the challenges and opportunities to adopting clean technologies.
She is interested in sustainability and innovations to decarbonise transport systems to achieve net-zero targets and is currently actively working on achieving her chartership.
Expertise
Engineering, Sustainable Development, Transport and Mobility
Philip Jillesjö Löf
EU Policy Officer: Climate, Sustainability, Environment and Energy at the Welsh Government
United Kingdom
Bio
For the last year, Philip has been leading on Climate, Environment, Energy and Future Generations Policy for the Welsh Government Brussels Office.
Philip has previously worked as a Liaison Officer for the Ireland Wales Programme and as a Policy Manager for the International Negotiations Team for Marine and Fisheries. In 2021/2022, Philip participated in the Future Generations Leadership Academy run by the Future Generations Commissioners Office. In 2023, he was named 1 of 100 changer makers in Wales by the first Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, Sophie Howe.
Philip was recently appointed a Future Generations Global Ambassador by the Foundations of Tomorrow and the Future Generations Commissioners Office.
Philip also runs a short-term experience programme within the Welsh Government to improve the implementation of the Well-being of Future Generations Act within the Welsh Government.
Expertise
Climate Change, Policy and Advocacy
Samuel Guy
Public Body Lead at the Office of the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales
United Kingdom
Bio
Sam is a Public Body Lead at the Office of the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales. His role focuses on supporting national and local organisations under the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.
For a few years, he has been managing relationships with these statutory bodies, advising on the application of the five ways of working (Long-term, Integration, Involvement, Collaboration, Prevention) in Public Bodies' activities, planning, reporting and a range of other areas.
In addition, he supports on the advice and assistance that the office provides. This includes not only the statutory bodies mentioned above but everyone who comes to the Commissioner for advice, whether these be from the public, private or third sectors, irrespective of whether they are local, national or international actors.
Expertise
Policy and Advocacy, Business Administration
Ameerah Mai
Well Being of Future Generations Coordinator at Transport for Wales
United Kingdom
Bio
Ameerah Mai is a first-language Welsh speaker who grew up in north Wales. A graduate of the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales’ Leadership Academy, in 2023 she was appointed by the Welsh Government to the board of Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum of Wales.
She previously helped establish Wales' first peace institute (Academi Heddwch Cymru), liaising with the Welsh Government’s International Relations & Trade department.
Ameerah is now the Future Generations Coordinator at Transport for Wales, where she works on sustainable development and the implementation of the Well-Being of Future Generations Act (2015).
Expertise
Transport and Mobility, Sustainable Development
Bleddyn Harris
Head of Inclusion and Diversity at Office for National Statistics
United Kingdom
Bio
Recognised as one of Wales’ most influential LGBTQ+ people, Bleddyn is an alumnus of the inaugural Future Generations Commissioner for Wales’ Leadership Academy and is currently the Head of Inclusion and Diversity across people, business, and strategy at the Office for National Statistics.
In his spare time, Bleddyn is the Founder and Director of LGBTQYMRU, a Wales-based charity with a global reach that provides a space in which LGBTQ+ people are empowered to share their own stories, in their own words.
Expertise
LGBT+ Rights
2022 Future Generations Ambassadors
Lloyd Harris
Plant Health Policy Manager at Llywodraeth Cymru / Welsh Government
United Kingdom
Bio
I work in the Welsh Government as the Senior Plant Health Policy Manager. This role involves working with UK and Scottish Government to secure Wales’ plant biosecurity to protect our plants and trees from pests and diseases. This helps secure 3 key Wellbeing goals in the Future Generations Act - “A Resilient Wales”, “A Globally Responsible Wales” and “A Healthier Wales.
Jia Wei Lee
Communications & Marketing Director at Glitter Cymru
Malaysia
Bio
I make videos to educate and advocate. From "elephant in the room" videos to stigmatised topics; from the lesser spoken to the hush-hushed. These crucial, controversial and challenging videos can be found on my Instagram platform @officialjiawei. I also make content to expose emotional and psychological domestic abuse on TikTok under the handle @exposingabuse.
Currently, I make video content for 4 different organisations: One Young World (global summit for youth leaders), BBC Sesh (platform for fresh talent from Wales), Dear Asian Youth (global organisation encouraging Asian youths in intersectional activism) and Global Bersih (global organisation for Malaysians overseeing clean and fair elections).
Ibrahiem O Ali
Health Board Youth Member, Community Leader
United Kingdom
Bio
Ibby Osman is an individual who is passionate about tackling social injustice. His passion for change began with his involvement with Cardiff Youth Council (CYC) back in 2012. He now works with the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales supporting with Wellbeing and Future Generations Act across different stakeholders which requires public bodies in Wales to think about the long-term impact of their decisions, to work better with people, communities and each other, and to prevent persistent problems such as poverty, health inequalities, and climate change.
Ibby has also worked on issues such as Islamophobia, Mental Health and Tackling Poverty. Over the eight years, Ibby Osman has had opportunities to appear on live TV broadcasts, meet with influential politicians and campaign on key issues. Ibby is a champion of Children's rights and had numerous platforms where he was able to share his passion and enthusiasm for it.Ibby has been active within Cardiff by working with Citizens Cymru and played a crucial role in getting the job compact created and running in Cardiff.
Najma Hashi
Partnerships and Networks Change Maker Support at The Office of the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales
United Kingdom
Bio
Najma Hashi is the Partnerships and Networks Change Maker Support at the Office of the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales. Najma is supporting the delivery of the Future Generations Leadership Academy; manages an Alumni Network; and delivers the international action plan agreed between the Commissioner and Welsh Government.
Najma has a degree in International Relations and a postgraduate degree in Culture, Diaspora, Ethnicity and Human Rights; and is passionate about sustainable development and equalities initiatives. Najma has previously sat on Cardiff Council's Race Equality Taskforce and is a mentor for young students from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds in Cardiff South.
Megan Thomas
Policy and Research Officer at Disability Wales/Anabledd Cymru
United Kingdom
Bio
In my role as Policy and Research Officer for Disability Wales, I lead on and wrote “Bring Us Our Rights: disabled people’s manifesto” to influence the 2021 Senedd elections.
Our main call to incorporate the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Disabled People (UNCRDP) was included in the manifestos of two major political parties, Welsh Labour and the Welsh Liberal Democrats. It was further adopted by the two other largest parties in Wales Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Conservative and Unionist Party at our Senedd hustings.
The past year I have been part of the Future Generations Leadership Academy, graduating last June. Through this I have Chaired a discussion with Dr Jeremy Evas, Head of Prosiect 2050 and attended a discussion on the Future Generations Act with the State Secretary and Head of the State Chancellor for Baden Wurttemburg Dr Florian Stegmann and MPs from the state.
2021 Future Generations Ambassadors
Kate Seary
Director & Co-Founder of Kyniska Advocacy and Political Speech Writer @ Future Generations Commissioner for Wales
United Kingdom
Bio
As well as working for the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, I am the Co-Founder of Kyniska Advocacy, a non-profit organisation fighting for policy change within women's sport.
I am a Welsh International track and field athlete and multiple Welsh Champion competing on the track, over cross-country, and on the road.
I’m always lobbying about something, somewhere. Creating change in society makes me tick and I’m always looking for a new opportunity to make this passion my career. I am honoured to work towards securing a prosperous future for Wales with the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales as a speechwriter and briefings co-ordinator.
Joshua Beynon
County Councillor at Pembrokeshire County Council
United Kingdom
Bio
Elected in May 2017 as the first teenage Councillor on Pembrokeshire County Council, Josh is the Chairman of the Policy of the Pre-decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee, a position he has held for two years and the Vice-chair for two years prior to that. To date, Joshua has led the Waste Services Review and Net Zero Carbon group in which the former was tasked with improving the council's waste service, resulting in an increase of over 10% in recycling rates during the first year. The latter resulted in the council publishing its first ever action plan in tackling climate change.
Josh’s passion for community work and engagement has been evident throughout his career where he has been the Secretary of a registered charity securing around £100,000 of funding to build an inclusive play park, leading on the community engagement and facilitation aspects of the project. This received a response from 10% of the local community in the town. This voluntary role is alongside his other as a trustee of a veteran's charity: The VC Gallery which has won numerous awards for its support towards helping veterans and the community.
Grug Muse
Writer and Facilitator
United Kingdom
Bio
Grug Muse is a writer from Gwynedd, in North West Wales. She holds a degree in Politics from the University of Nottingham, and is currently completing a PhD at Swansea University.
She is a former member of the Urdd, and between November 2020 and May 2021 ran their campaign to engage young voters in Welsh democracy. She is a Community Facilitator on Climate Action in Dyffryn Nantlle, editor and founder of 'Y Stamp' literary magazine and author of 'Ar Ddisberod' (2017) with Cyhoeddiadau Barddas.
Rhiannon Evans
External Relations Manager, Ireland at Llywodraeth Cymru / Welsh Government
United Kingdom
Bio
Rhiannon is an experienced External Relations Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the government administration industry.
Skilled in Statistical Data Analysis, Event Management, Bilingual Communications, Project Management, and Communications Planning, Rhiannon is a strong media and communication professional with a Bachelor of Science - BS focused in Sports Coaching from Cardiff Metropolitan University.
2019 Future Generations Ambassadors
Dan Tram
Senior Civil Engineer at Arup and Alumnus of the Future Generations
United Kingdom
Bio
I am passionate about investing in and training leaders. I am currently heavily involved in my local church, one of the biggest churches in Cardiff. I lead a group of young leaders between the ages of 25-35 yrs old and encourage them to reach their potential in all areas of life. Additionally I regularly mentor youth between the ages of 12-18 by meeting up in a small group and discussing any challenges and offering advice or support.
I have recently been appointed to the Future Generations Leadership Academy. This role was achieved through my recent work of leading the drainage design for a large Sustainable Drainage project in Wales. For this project I engaged with local authorities and other key stakeholders to develop a project that would maximise sustainability benefits biodiversity and amenity value. This new role will allow me to further influence the uptake of sustainable design in Wales by engaging with key stakeholders.
Molly Palmer
Marketing Officer at Clwb Ifor Bach
United Kingdom
Bio
I am passionate about being in the position where I am able to give young people the opportunities to learn new things. I want them to understand that it doesn’t matter who you are and where you are from - you have the capability to make a positive change in any way that you desire. I am passionate about this as I am a young woman from the Welsh Valleys where this was never taught to me through education.
Being a part of the WMC has changed my life in ways that I would never have imagined and I want to share that.I have actively contributed to community projects since a young age. I am a qualified sports coach and have had many weird and wonderful experiences with young people. I have worked alongside the WMC and have travelled the UK delivering workshops to a variety of people. From children all the way through to young adults. This has really helped put the radio station and centre on the map and I am incredibly lucky to be able to show young people what they can do through radio other than just play music. They can be activists representatives and individuals.
Rebecca Brown
Policy and Communications Officer at Office of the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales
United Kingdom
Bio
I am most interested in all things future generations and intergenerational justice. I work as Policy and Communications Officer for the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales. One of my main roles is speech-writing and I am particularly interested in the power of words and stories to bring about change. In my spare time I am a writer interested in nature poetry and climate fiction. Climate change and the impact this will have on future generations is the issue I care most about and I am interested in how we can bring about change within government whilst also reflecting these issues in our arts and popular culture.
I have many examples of creating positive change in my community country or organisation. At a community level I have previously volunteered for a Women s Advocacy centre for Ty Hafan hospice and with Pride Cymru. I also regularly volunteer with the organisation of my local film club. At an organisational level I have written speeches for the Future Generations Commissioner which have been delivered internationally including at the UN High Level Political Forum and more generally helped to communicating the Well-being of Future Generations Act to all audiences in Wales the UK and abroad.
It is also my responsibility to keep my colleagues informed and up to date on all policy areas including climate change. More widely I won the Young Writer of the Year award in 2018 awarded by Planet Magazine. My winning essay Every Nation Needs a Narrative explored the importance of Wales having a positive story and vision for the future.
Emily-Rose Jenkins
Specialist Advisor, Incident Management at Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru / Natural Resources Wales
United Kingdom
Bio
Working within engineering I am passionate about the impact of infrastructure on people and the environment. I continue to actively contribute to Goal 9 on the SDGs. I believe in sustainable engineering solutions and to think of the bigger picture rather than focusing on engineering as a single discipline. By adopting this approach it creates a future fit for the generations to come.
My passion is to utilise the natural environment's ability to provide solutions to our engineering problems; working with nature and not against it. Infrastructure has the ability to make the biggest impact on our future generations and the environment we live in. With my line of work I am extremely active in natural hazards especially within South Wales with the frequency of landslides. Currently I am researching ways and collaborating with others to adopt an approach for the prediction and management of natural hazards to prevent catastrophic failures and loss of life.
I am actively involved in sustainable drainage systems as a means of reducing flood events and ways of implementing SuDS on the railway within South Wales. In addition I am very passionate about being the voice in a typically male dominated environment. I am active in Goal 5 of the SDGs; attending conferences, schools and various workshops in empowering women through engineering.
My approach to engineering is considering the environment before engineering an approach which is unusual. Although different this has created a positive change in how we think as engineers. Small changes can make a large difference and understanding the world that we live in can let us think more creatively about the solutions we adopt.
As mentioned I am in the process of researching natural hazards and flooding with the railways of the South Wales Valley to prevent future catastrophic events as a result of climate change. As a woman in engineering and on the railway I am doing my best to empower women within and outside the industry. I am working tirelessly in fighting the unconscious bias and showing that women do have a platform within engineering.
Bethany Roberts
Children and Young People’s Rights Office Youth Worker
United Kingdom
Bio
I am actively involved in youth representation and participation in both a young person and professional capacity. I sit on many youth forums and groups discussing many topics. I have recently been involved in national and international work including becoming a Young Ambassador for Public Health Wales and being accepted onto the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales' Leadership Academy and becoming a welsh delegate at One Young World. I am very passionate about the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and young people having their voices heard. All my experiences credit to Children and Young People's Rights Office in Pembrokeshire Youth Services
Chris Roscoe
Environment Officer at Natural Resources Wales
United Kingdom
Bio
Coming from a rural part of Wales I feel a strong connection towards the environment and feel a deep sense of connection with my local area. Technology and industrialisation of traditional activities have had a significant effect on the balance between rural living and natural processes. In many areas of my country and abroad we see more and more frequently the destructive consequences of this imbalance.
Having a young family I feel very aware of my personal responsibility to raise my daughter to be a considerate member of society and to do this I must lead by example. While I try to improve myself I hope that my actions will contribute to the conservation of our environment for her benefit. I am also passionate about including others in this scheme and believe that only by developing community and group engagement the required societal changes can be achieved. Being aware of the opportunities I had while growing up I try to spend a proportion of my time outside of work contributing to causes in my local area; to this end I’ve joined a local youth drop-in centre as a mentor for young people.
I am also a director of a community-owned pub where I arrange and publicise events to bring residents of the local area together to maintain community adhesion. I am also running a personal project where I am looking to reduce levels of light pollution in my village. Light pollution can have a range of negative effects on human wildlife and the natural environment therefore the benefits of reducing this pollution can be wide ranging. The goal of this project is a resident supported streetlight-extinguishing trial during 2020. The project will then review and gather feedback with a hope to influence a new village lighting policy.
Chloe Winstone
Executive Personal Assistant to the CEO and Chairman at Principality Building Society
United Kingdom
Bio
I am passionate about everyone having access to quality education that covers both academic and practical skills. I am passionate about critical thinking financial education, mental health and diversity and inclusion being included in the curriculum alongside the current academic offering.
I think that quality education can be empowering in many different ways and it should be something that everyone regardless of personal and external circumstances should have access to.
I recently hiked 26 miles to raise money and awareness for the Alzheimer's Society. My organisation supports this charity through donations and runs the Dementia Friends scheme for all of our employees to ensure we are supporting them and their families/communities by increasing the awareness around Dementia. My participation in the marathon hike has helped raise awareness of the work being done and has allowed me in my personal life to raise awareness and increase my family's knowledge of dementia. With two family members living with dementia I can see the positive impact improving awareness and understanding of dementia has on those living with it and felt proud I could contribute in some small way to supporting this cause.
Hayley Rees
Organisational Development Manager at National Assembly for Wales
United Kingdom
Bio
WHAT? Developing organisations and thereby cultures which are more inclusive, diverse and tolerant which become more effective for the future.
WHY? I believe growing organisations in this way can impact communities and society more broadly. Where people work together to achieve positive outcomes. Organisation Designed and delivered line manager training programmes on Mental health in the workplace and limiting unconscious bias.
Organisational Capability Review Designed inclusive apprenticeship and development programmes.
Mishan Wickremasinghe
Junior Project Coordinator at Track Consulting
United Kingdom
Bio
I am an adaptive executive leader with a high drive to work in challenging working environments. I have worked in many different types of settings, from local to global experiences in the UK, Austria and Germany. Experiences from start-ups to multi-million-dollar international projects to leading the student voice at the highest senior committees of a university and Welsh Government.
My passions are to network. Meeting new people allows you to keep an open mind as you'll hear many perspectives on many aspects of life. Especially from a business background I love to hear about best practices or innovative ideas. There are many strands to working in a Students Union. I am helping 23 000+ students across all 5 of our campuses. I ensure their (student) voice is heard and acted upon. We engage with charities, local communities and local business.
