Youth voices are pivotal to elevating climate ambition and driving systemic change. And the Climate Champions are committed to integrating these vital actors into the core of our work.
In 2021, the Climate Champions team launched a pilot global Youth Fellowship programme by appointing five young professionals to contribute to a series of strategic non-state actor engagements in the build-up to COP26 in Glasgow to help inspire non-state action in the Race to Zero and Race to Resilience.
To help us deliver on our plan for COP27 and beyond, in February 2022, we announced the call for applications for a second year of the Climate Champions Youth Fellowship. We received an overwhelming response of over 1000 applications from over 80 countries!
This fellowship — led by the UN Climate Change High Level Champions — will provide a platform for young people to work with the Champions and to contribute to our work on driving ambitious climate action. Fellows will join the team from now until the end of the year.
We’re very excited to announce the fellows for 2022:
Youth Fellow in Communications: Baliqees Salaudeen
Baliqees Salaudeen works consistently as a Sustainable Social Development/Impact strategist, Communications and Digital Media strategist. Baliqees has been working actively and volunteering for over six years in the social impact and sustainable development space in Nigeria through non profit organizations and social enterprises.
Youth Fellow in Energy: Ben Odongo
After graduating, Ben spent time working for Fenix International (now part of Engie), where he managed a portfolio for energy-efficient appliances and led the company’s expansion into clean cooking. From there, he went to Ensibuuko Tech, which was facilitating access to digital financial services for rural customers in Africa.
Youth Fellow in Resilience: Lamia Mohsin
Lamia Mohsin is a young development professional and researcher with three years of experience in key areas including climate resilience, adaptation, local governance and public policy. She is currently working as a Consultant at the Global Center on Adaptation’s (GCA) South Asia regional office based in Dhaka, where she is supporting GCA’s role as a solutions broker for climate adaptation solutions, in close collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh.
Youth Fellow in Resilience: Maria Alejandra Aguilar
Maria is a Colombian lawyer bringing over five years of experience in advocacy, policy research and analysis of socio-environmental issues and climate change. Her professional background is centred on the promotion of inclusive sustainable development and a rights-based approach to climate action.
Youth Fellow in Finance: Natalie Mangondo
Natalie is an economist who brings more than six years of experience in climate change and sustainability in Southern Africa, and across various sectors to the role. Natalie holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Cape Town and is pursuing a Masters of Science in Economics from the University of Zimbabwe as the Southern Africa Climate Finance Partnership Masters Scholar.
Youth Fellow in Transport: Shravani Sharma
Shravani Sharma is an Urban and Transport Planner currently pursuing her PhD in Transport and Human Factors at Warwick Manufacturing Group, University of Warwick under the Engineering Physical Science and Research Council (EPSRC), UKRI Award.
Youth Fellow in Ocean: Siddharth Shekhar Yadav
Siddharth Shekhar Yadav is a UN diplomat working as the Advisor (on Climate Change, Oceans, and the UN High Seas/ BBNJ Treaty) to the UN Ambassador/ Permanent Representative of the Republic of Vanuatu to the United Nations in New York, USA.
Youth Fellow in Regenerative Food & Agriculture: Tokelo Shai
Tokelo is a senior analyst with over five years of experience accelerating the transition to a healthy and sustainable planet for all. She has led and initiated over ten impact-driven projects in sustainable food systems, climate adaptation, and the circular economy.
Find out if you are eligible for our paid fellowship programme, and apply before 10pm GMT on Wednesday 10th April Young people and future generations are environmental stewards of the future. Many are also leaders and subject matter experts today. The Climate Champions Team, in support of the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions, are […]
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Young people and future generations are environmental stewards of the future. The Climate Champions Team, in support of the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions, are committed to strengthening youth agency in climate action.
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