Zubeda
Introduce yourself!
I am Zubeda Shaaban Maloba, from Mombasa, Kenya East Africa. I'm passionate about painting, SDG 13 and reading novels.
What has being part of the Youth Ambassador programme taught you?
Youth Ambassador Programme has taught me leadership skills which I'm already implementing and developed a critical mind.
What advice would you give to youth who are interested in making social change?
They shouldn't be shy to ask questions, they should interact and feel free.
Anastasiia
Introduce yourself!
I'm Anastasiia from Ukraine:) I study at school with an economic profile, I also do belly dance💃I like travelling, watching movies, reading and making new friends.
What has being part of the Youth Ambassador programme taught you?
Never give up and believe in your idea
What advice would you give to youth who are interested in making social change?
Don't be afraid to find like-minded people, because this way of working is not only easier, but also more efficient. Go confidently towards your goal if it is really important to you.
Mohaddessa
Introduce yourself!
I am Mohaddesa, I am from Afghanistan and I am so passionate about quality education and gender equality. The things I do for fun include: watching TV shows, dancing and writing.
What has being part of the Youth Ambassador programme taught you?
Being a youth ambassador and later on a youth committee has taught me that no matter in what situation you are living in or which challenges you face daily or how many things block your way to what you want, you still have the power to make a change and start making thing better.
What advice would you give to youth who are interested in making social change?
To those who are trying to make a social change I would say that start it. When you start doing what you were thinking even not as perfect as it was in your mind, you take the biggest step and the next steps would be easier and you will know more about what will happen next.
Anna
Introduce yourself!
I’m Venezuelan, I want to study in languages, culture and science. I love read, and I’m passionate about being a leader, teaching and learning about the world.
What has being part of the Youth Ambassador programme taught you?
The Youth Ambassador Program, has helped me develop leadership skills, improve my creativity and communication of ideas. Takes empathy, respect, and curiosity to meet and understand youth across the globe. It taught me as well to believe in myself, my passions, and how kindness and encouragement can take you and me to try change our environment for the better.
What advice would you give to youth who are interested in making social change?
To believe in yourself. Believe in your idea. Believe in your solution. The change and impact you can do is unique because nobody will ever be you. Use that to your advantage, and you will find the spark and reason for you to make social impact.
Rishabh
Introduce yourself!
Hi, I am Rishabh! I am a highschool student at Dubai International Academy, Emirates Hills. I am passionate about robotics, sustainability and research. I enjoy watching F1 and coding projects in my free time.
What has being part of the Youth Ambassador programme taught you?
I had a great experience with the HundrED Youth Ambassador programme with the various workshops and informative sessions that helped me develop my skills as well as improve my social impact project. Additionally, I enjoyed interacting with other Youth Ambassadors to discuss their project and understand areas of improvement- helping me to develop my social and communication skills.
What advice would you give to youth who are interested in making social change?
Stay consistent and committed in your efforts. Social change takes time, and the results may not be immediate, but don't lose hope. Your dedication and hard work will eventually make a difference so be patient and keep doing your part.
Myriam
Introduce yourself!
Hi ! My name is Myriam and I'm currently an IB DP2 student. Later, at university, I want to study law. I'm also fond of literature, history and language learning. I'm a huge nature enthusiast and I love playing volleyball or going on a run to stay active :)
What has being part of the Youth Ambassador programme taught you?
Being part of the HundrED Youth Ambassador programme has taught me that leadership is really about making others feel heard and empowering and inspiring them to achieve goals and overcome challenges in order for them to grow personally and professionally. I've learned that a great strength lies in our collective energy and creativity and that real change is born from a shared vision which only together we can achieve.
What advice would you give to youth who are interested in making social change?
Robert Swan said that the greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it and I utterly agree because if not now, when ? And if not us, who ? So be the change that you wish to see in the world. You matter.
Maryam
Introduce yourself!
I am from Kashmir, Pakistan. I am studying sciences and I love music and dancing. I am passionate about addressing climate change and am dedicated to amplifying the voices of those who are often unheard or ignored.
What has being part of the Youth Ambassador programme taught you?
World is full of beautiful people willing to make change you just have to open yourself to possibilities.
What advice would you give to youth who are interested in making social change?
Go get it, you have in you to make it happen!
Angel
Introduce yourself!
I'm Angel, a 17-year-old changemaker from Peru. I love dancing and I am passionate about leadership, well-being, as well as making a positive impact on my community.
What has being part of the Youth Ambassador programme taught you?
Being part of the Youth Ambassador Programme has taught me to be a leader, to think globally and act locally if I want to make a difference. This is how we create a positive impact, step by step. I've learned that I don’t need to be an adult, have a lot of money, or be exceptionally intelligent to create change. What I truly need is initiative, passion, resilience, and empathy to become a global change-maker. But without a doubt, the greatest lesson I've gained from this programme is the importance of collaboration and teamwork. This programme emphasizes the power of global collaboration among young people dedicated to their communities, not just sharing ideas, purposes, or projects, but also sharing our culture, who we are, and who we aspire to be.
What advice would you give to youth who are interested in making social change?
My advice to youth interested in making social change is to believe in the power of their voice and actions. Start small, but think big—every great movement began with a single step. Don't wait for permission or the "perfect" moment; take initiative and trust your passion to guide you. Embrace resilience because challenges will come, but they are only stepping stones to success. Collaborate with others, as teamwork magnifies impact. Remember, you don’t need to have all the answers, just the courage to begin. You have the ability to change the world—one idea, one action, one heart at a time.
Nasr
Introduce yourself!
I am Nasr, an international IBDP student from Yemen studying (and currently living) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. If I were to describe who I am, I would start by saying "I am an improvement enthusiast," and then proceed to talk about my habits, goals, and aspirations. Of all my daily habits, I enjoy reading the most. This particular habit has made me realize lots of things about myself I would have not noticed otherwise. Reading helped me improve; that might be the reason why I love it the most :)
What has being part of the Youth Ambassador programme taught you?
The limit is the sky! Being part of the Youth Ambassador Programme taught me that there are many ways one can make a positive change in society. Engaging with change-makers from all over the world and learning from the ideas they brought to the table made me realize that the only thing stopping me from making a change in my community was doubting my ability to create change. The Youth Ambassador Programme taught me otherwise!
What advice would you give to youth who are interested in making social change?
Do not worry about "not having an idea" of a social change program; it all begins when you have made yourself ready to take that responsibility. Once you see yourself as a leader, you naturally start recognizing problems in your surroundings and think critically about how they can be solved.
Ecem
Introduce yourself!
Hi everyone! My name is Ecem, and I'm currently an international IBDP student. I'm really interested in art, playing tennis, traveling, participating in MUN, and spending time with my friends! I'm passionate in SDGs 11,14,15 :))
What has being part of the Youth Ambassador programme taught you?
Being a part of the Youth Ambassador programme has taught me the importance of raising awareness about the issues and SDGs I care about through using my voice! In addition to that, it helped me develop many skills such as leadership and respect, as I got to communicate with the other Youth Ambassadors from all over the world.
What advice would you give to youth who are interested in making social change?
The advice I would give to youth who are interested in making a social change out there, would be that don't be afraid of expressing and communicating your ideas, thoughts, and opinions; it is an important step in making your voice heard!
Raquel
Introduce yourself!
My name is Raquel Gomez Junco, and I am a 10th grade student from Monterrey, Mexico. I am very passionate about anything related to science, and I love baking on my free time.
What has being part of the Youth Ambassador programme taught you?
Being part of the Youth Ambassadors has been a huge part of my life this past year. Not only has it made me more confident in myself, but it has also taught me a good deal of leadership skills. For example, the Youth Ambassadors Programme has allowed me to join many online workshops that have helped me manage and organize my projects. One of my favorite way I now organize my projects following the formats I learned in the "Plan and Impact" meeting. Similarly, during the last cohort I developed a program called Empathy Through Action, which is about mentoring younger students to make a change in the community. The Drop-In meetings in this program helped my project by having insightful feedback that improved it. In addition, in this cohort as a Youth Committee member I have met so many new people, and this has taught me how to work/build friendships with people from all over the world!
What advice would you give to youth who are interested in making social change?
Advice: You don't need a lot of resources to make a big change, all you need to do is to OBSERVE
My biggest advice for anyone who is interested in making a social change is to OBSERVE. I believe this is a crucial step most people don't emphasize when choosing to do a social impact project. People focus more on the SOLUTION than the PROBLEM. For example, someone might say ""I want to plant more trees to solve pollution"" which is great, but maybe it is not a real issue in their environment. However, if you observe you might find that there is more pollution because of trash then the lack of trees, and this way your solution can be ""I want to pick up trash and create a campaign on biodegradable products."" This solution is targeted directly to the problem and is likely to have more impact. Secondly (and this is correlated with the first), when brainstorming for social change ideas, make sure that you do something that you are truly passionate about. Sometimes, people select things that look good, but they aren't very passionate about it, this will decrease your motivation and therefore will end badly. So, always remember to observe and discover an issue you are passionate about solving. Good luck youth!
Neelasha
Introduce yourself!
I love to explore a variety of hobbies and interests. My long to-do lists include studying Calculus, analyzing linguistic patterns, and organizing volunteer events to name a few!
What has being part of the Youth Ambassador programme taught you?
That kindness and thoughtfulness makes a genuine impact on the people around you. In making the Youth-Led Drop-Ins, I prioritized including as much information as possible and presenting it in the most helpful way. I had never expected this effort of mine to make so much positive impact on the Ambassadors or for the Youth-Led Drop-Ins to become an official part of the program!
What advice would you give to youth who are interested in making social change?
I would tell them to start small and find problems that you can address in your immediate communities. If even a project of that caliber feels too daunting, I recommend reflecting on yourself and making the changes in your own life that are important. Opportunities to have an impact will come to you if you feel confident and empowered in yourself.
For more information about the Youth Ambassador Programme, check out the webpage.