Panelists

Strengthening Youth Engagement for Compassionate Advocacy

Friday 18th October 8:00 AM PT / 11:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM BST / 5:00 PM CEST / 8:30 PM IST

Fajr Malika DeLane is a Bill and Melinda Millennium Gates Scholar, a 2020 Howard University graduate in International Business with a Finance concentration. She recently earned her Master of Public Health in Health Management and Policy from Georgia State University in May 2024.

She is the CEO of her own organization “F3: Fun. Fit. Fabulous” which helps women & young girls become their best selves, with a primary focus on personal empowerment through physical, mental, and nutritional education. Offering culturally tailored programming to increase self esteem and inner beauty through Fun, Fitness, and Fabulosity - the signature slogan F3! DeLane was also an American delegate at the 2024 Youth G7 (Y7) Policy Summit in Rome, Italy for the Inclusion and Equal Opportunities track. Fajr attributes her esteemed promising global leadership skills to both her domestic and international travel as an American youth where she learned early the value of good character, humility and cultural exchange.

DeLane intends to utilize her increased knowledge in business development to further her skills in building creative programming and social and community advocacy platforms.

Personal Instagram | Business Instagram | LinkedIn

 

Hameeda Syed (they/she) is a journalist, gender consultant, and co-founder of Dignity in Difference (DiD), focused on countering online toxicity across South Asia.

With over five years of experience in journalism, program management, and research, Hameeda’s work centers on the intersection of technology, society, and gender, particularly digital violence. At DiD, they have led initiatives like a fellowship, collaborated with organizations like the EU, and led the DiD community.

Their writing, featured in platforms like Third Eye Social and Khabar Lahariya, has been exhibited at the National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai. Recognized for their contributions, Hameeda has received fellowships from GRO-GEST in Iceland, Agami Shaala justice innovators, UNESCO MGIEP, and the G20 Interfaith Forum.

Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter

 

Luke Addison is a 31-year old Drama and Peace Education Teacher from Winchester, UK.

Luke started out studying Drama and English with the hopes of becoming an actor, but soon changed his path after discovering a passion for teaching.
He realised that he could use techniques learnt through drama teaching, such as role-play and character development exercises, to explore teaching Peace Education.

After developing workshops that integrated these techniques with subjects such as the global refugee crisis, environmental issues, mental health and other important issues areas, Luke began working as a 'Drama and Peace Education Teacher'.

Through this work, Luke became connected to the global Peace Education 'PeaceJam', that works with Nobel Peace Laureates and Youth across the world and Luke now works as the Coordinator for PeaceJam Europe, helping to run conferences with Nobel Laureates and Youth across the globe!

Luke is also a Poet, a Carer for elderly people and spends his free-time walking his dog, Daisy!"

Instagram

 

Rolando Enrique Pelicot Ruiz is a 25-year-old Panamanian economist, a graduate of the Higher School of Economics and Business (ESEN) in El Salvador.

He is a social entrepreneur and activist dedicated to peacebuilding, education, and climate action. He was one of the 20 Young Peacebuilders selected by the UNAOC for Latin America and the Caribbean in its 6th edition, where he received training in the Youth, Peace, and Security Agenda. Additionally, he is one of 10 young people from Latin America chosen to participate in the first edition of the GenerAcción Paz program by UNLIREC, where he will learn about the Youth, Peace, and Disarmament Agenda.

He also spoke at the 2024 ECOSOC Youth Forum at the United Nations headquarters in New York, in the thematic session on SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, where he discussed the Youth, Peace, and Security Agenda.

Instagram | LinkedIn

 

Will Rucker is a dedicated advocate and dynamic media personality committed to humanizing health care while advancing equity across all intersecting sectors. As the host of "Compassionate Las Vegas—the Podcast" and "A Healthier Tomorrow" radio program, Will promotes compassion and understanding while addressing crucial health and wellness topics. He serves as the Director of Community Health—Nevada at Intermountain Health, leading initiatives that prioritize equity and improve health outcomes for southern Nevada communities. Beyond this role, he runs a successful speaking and coaching business, empowering organizations through values-based leadership. Will’s leadership in organizations like Compassionate Las Vegas' Jameson Fellowship, the Global Charter for Compassion, and the Nevada Minority Health and Equity Coalition underscores his commitment to building a healthier, more inclusive society.

 

Youth Catalyzing Change - Driving Inclusive & Peaceful Societies

Friday 18th October 6:00 AM PT / 9:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM BST / 3:00 PM CEST / 6:30 PM IST

Laith Abu Rub is a fourth year student of Business Administration and International Relations in Madrid, Spain. He is the Founder and President of the European Arab Student Union.

Instagram | LinkedIn

 

 

Samira Fatma Baručija-Homoraš, based in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, serves as the Regional Coordinator for the URI Multiregion. In this role, she supports grassroots groups from around the world in their efforts to foster dialogue and interfaith cooperation.

Samira brings 13 years of experience in civil society, employing her expertise in non-formal education to elevate awareness and empower individuals and communities to drive positive change.

She is a founding member and currently sits on the board of Youth for Peace, a youth-led organization committed to these goals. Her local work primarily focuses on peacebuilding and cultivating cultures of peace. Additionally, Samira was one of 16 global youth leaders in the UNDP’s Global Youth Programme, working toward fulfilling the UN’s 2030 agenda.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Samira enjoys traveling and cooking.

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

 

Dr. Yosuke Nagai is the Founder and Executive Director of Accept International. Since establishing the organization in 2011, he has been dedicated to implementing deradicalization, reintegration, and rehabilitation programs for defectors, prisoners, and detainees of non-state armed groups, particularly violent extremist groups, with a primary focus on Somalia, Yemen, Kenya, Indonesia, and Colombia. Additionally, he has implemented emergency humanitarian assistance programs to support victims and internally displaced persons in these regions, involving graduates of rehabilitation programs.
 
Dr. Nagai also actively conducts outreach and sensitization activities in remote and underserved areas, encouraging disengagement from non-state armed groups and promoting community-based reconciliation efforts. His passion lies in empowering marginalized youth, such as disengaged youth combatants, by providing them with opportunities to break free from cycles of violence and become agents of peace. He firmly believes that this approach fosters true inclusion and coexistence, rooted in the principles of human rights and sustainable peace. In 2023, he launched the Global Taskforce for Youth Combatants (GTY), which comprises peacebuilders with past experiences in non-state armed groups. This initiative aims to address the needs of youth associated with non-state armed groups (YANSAG) worldwide and to help them realize their unique potential as agents of peace. 
 
Dr. Nagai holds a PhD in Social Science from Waseda University and a Master's degree in Conflict Studies from the London School of Economics and Political Science. He has served as a visiting fellow at the University of Oxford and the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights. Furthermore, he is a member of a Youth Advisory Board, an Expert Group Meeting, and a Technical Working Group within various UN agencies.

 

Ana Có is a skilled facilitator and project manager with a proven track record in ability to drive programmes that enhance community relationships and contribute towards diversity and inclusion. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Management and a BA in Politics and International Relations.  Before joining the International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID) in 2022, Ana accompanied organisations such as The Faith & Belief Form (former Three Faiths Forum) in London, UK, and Impact Hub Lisbon, Portugal.

Ana's tenure at Impact Hub Lisbon, managing capacity building programmes for women entrepreneurs and migrant women like ‘BORA Mulheres and 'Momentum', highlighted her adeptness in driving initiatives for diversity and inclusion. 

Currently, as Programmes Officer, Fellows at KAICIID, she supports the implementation of KAICIID’s International Fellows Programme and coordinates the KAICIID’s Fellows Alumni Network, programmes and projects aims at fostering interreligious and intercultural dialogue and cooperation at a global level.

 

Babalwa Ngcongolo is a seasoned diversity, equity, and transformation consultant, social justice educator, activist, and facilitator with a focus on youth-driven change. As the Founder and Executive Director of Changeways Centre for Collaborative Justice, Babalwa leads initiatives that advance social cohesion, peace, and justice through cross-cultural collaboration and inclusive dialogue.

Babalwa's work centers on empowering young people to champion peacebuilding and human rights advocacy, with a special emphasis on the intersection of global events and youth action. Her background in Economics, Finance, Design Thinking, Interfaith Collaboration, Peacebuilding, and Inclusive Leadership informs her empathetic yet challenging approach to facilitating dialogue. She excels in creating spaces for youth to explore innovative, future-focused solutions to global challenges.

Her portfolio includes coordinating international youth leadership programs and facilitating peacebuilding interventions. As a board member of the Charter for Compassion and the Cape Town Interfaith Initiative, Babalwa is committed to fostering global connections that amplify the voices of young people in building inclusive and peaceful societies.

Babalwa's experience spans education, civil society, and the private sector, where she works to embed principles of equity, justice, and kindness into every interaction, whether local or global.

Website | Facebook | LinkedIn

 

Leading the Climate Movement: Youth in Environmental Advocacy

Thursday 17th October 8:00 AM PT / 11:00 AM ET / 4:00 PM BST / 5:00 PM CEST / 8:30 PM IST

Kehkashan Basu, M.S.M., MBA is an iconic global influencer, educator, environmentalist, champion of women and children’s rights, TEDx speaker, Climate Reality Mentor, author, musician, peace and sustainability campaigner. She is the recipient of Canada's Meritorious Service Medal and the only Canadian to win the International Children’s Peace Prize. A Forbes 30 Under 30 and the first-ever Winner of the Voices Youth Gorbachev-Schultz Legacy Award for her work on nuclear disarmament, Kehkashan is a United Nations Human Rights Champion, a National Geographic Young Explorer, a UNCCD Land Hero, a UN Habitat Young City Champion, the Regional Organizing Partner for North America for the NGO Major Group and one of Canada's Top25 Women of Influence.

Kehkashan is the Founder-President of global social innovation enterprise Green Hope Foundation, that works at a grassroots level in 28 countries, empowering over 500,000 young people and women, especially those from vulnerable communities, in the sustainable development process. She has spoken at over 500 United Nations and other global fora. She is the youngest Trustee of the Parliament of the World's Religions, Co-Lead of UN Women Generation Equality Forum's Action Coalition on Feminist Action for Climate Justice and a member of the World Humanitarian Forum Youth Council. She is the recipient of several awards that include the World Literacy Award for Significant Contribution to Literacy by a Young Person, Canada's Global Energy Show Emerging Leader Award and the Pax Christi Toronto Teacher of Peace Award.

Kehkashan was named as one of the Top 100 SDG Leaders in the world in 2019. She continues to work tirelessly to amplify the voices of young people, women and girls in decision-making processes. She has an MBA from Cornell University.

Instagram | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Facebook

 

Kristian Noll currently serves as Project Officer in the LSE Faith Centre’s Global Religious Pluralities research unit, where he focuses on the intersection of faith and environmental policy. Since May 2024, he has also chaired the UNEP Faith for Earth Youth Council. 

He holds a BA in Political Science and Norwegian from St. Olaf College in Minnesota, USA, and an MSc in Environmental Policy and Regulation from the London School of Economics. Prior to joining the LSE Faith Centre, Kristian worked as a parliamentary intern in the UK House of Commons and in the German Bundestag as part of the International Parliamentary Stipend program. 

LinkedIn | X/Twitter

 

Kaluki Paul Mutuku is a Kenya-based climate advocate and an environmental defender, working to champion meaningful youth engagement for climate action. His background is in Environmental Conservation and Natural Resource Management from the University of Nairobi, Kenya.

He has experience in community organizing, climate communication, campaign coordination, environmental education among many other areas. Previously, he worked with 350.org Kenya, for the deCOALonize campaign which sought to stop the building of a 1050 mW of a coal-fired power plant in Kenya's UNESCO world heritage site in Lamu. He is a trained Environmental Educator with A Rocha International, under the Education for sustainable Development, ESD, and a Digital storyteller.

Kaluki is the Executive Director at Kheri Environmental Action Network (KEAN International), immediate Regional Director for Afrika & Global Director of INUKA at Youth4Nature. His key focus for Africa is on Nature-based Solutions, land restoration, reforestation, food systems transformation and youth leadership across the spaces. He is the Program Manager for the Afrika Youth Caravan to UNFCCC COPs projects. Kaluki is an impact storyteller & trainer, Nature-based Solutions expert, fundraiser, youth leadership advocate, mentor and restoration champion.

Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter

 

Media interviews

Euronews interview
EPLO Peacebuilding Interview
Commonwealth interview
Voice Of America: COP26 - African Youth Demand Rich Nations fulfill their promises(from minute 1:53)

 

Greshma Pious Raju is an accomplished climate and peace educator with extensive experience in interfaith dialogues and environmental peacebuilding. She is the founder of Ecopeace Teen Cafe, an innovative online education program designed for teenagers. The program emphasizes community care, environmental protection, social justice, and nonviolent communication.

Her leadership and commitment to these values are also reflected in her role as a Global Council Trustee of the United Religions Initiative, a global grassroots interfaith organization dedicated to promoting peace and justice.

Additionally, she serves as a youth council member for the UNEP-Faith for Earth Initiative. Driven by a profound belief in the power of small acts of love and compassion, Greshma is dedicated to fostering positive change within the global community.

LinkedIn | Instagram

 

César Zamora Salazar is a passionate educator and communicator based in Sinaloa, Mexico. He sees himself as a wanderer of the Cosmos, an indigenous steward of the Earth, and a global citizen with a profound sense of responsibility. His insatiable curiosity and commitment to lifelong learning mark him as an explorer, a dreamer, and a crazy optimist, consistently striving to bridge gaps and cultivate understanding.

With a master's degree in education, César is dedicated to fostering meaningful connections between science, culture, spirituality, religion, society, nature, and both modern and ancient knowledge in order to build a more peaceful, compassionate and sustainable world.

Currently, César is channeling his expertise into impactful initiatives, collaborating with local governments and NGOs on peacebuilding and development programs. His work reflects a commitment to sociocultural and peace studies, with a particular emphasis on social and emotional learning (SEL) and educational technology. As an ambassador for compassion, César is dedicated to making a positive impact on the world, drawing inspiration from his diverse perspectives and unwavering belief in the potential for positive change.

 

United Youth Leaders of the Future

Thursday 17th October 6:00 AM PT / 9:00 AM ET / 2:00 PM BST / 3:00 PM CEST / 6:30 PM IST

Meggie is a Filipino youth activist currently studying biology and climate research at her local university. She was a former delegate in the Montessori Model UN Rome Conference in 2018 in addition to the Youth Climate Summit in 2021. Since then, she has participated in various local as well as international initiatives involving youth empowerment and environmental awareness.

Her mission is to inspire today's youth to strive for climate justice and altruism. She promotes the individual and the globally shared experiences of the climate crisis and how this fosters compassionate action.

 

Riemer has been involved with MM-United Nations since 2019, where he started as a representative of the Netherlands and later served as a key note speaker and youth advisor to the board of directors. In addition, he is active as a conference leader and co-organizer of the Montessori Europe adolescent conference, which is held annually in Europe and focuses on the innovation and development of international Montessori education. During his first years in international work, he became part of the Worldconnectors-Affiliate Earth Charter.

 

Sunay Rishi Chawla is a passionate 17-year-old senior at The Bronx High School of Science in New York City. With a keen interest in Public Health, Sunay has been actively involved in global philanthropy for the past four years. As co-chairman of the New 3Rs’ Youth Philanthropy Grantmaking Circle, he has directed funding to Black-led social advocacy organizations in countries ranging from Zimbabwe to Canada.

Beyond grantmaking, Sunay has also contributed to educational initiatives nationwide. He co-wrote The Walk Productions’ Little Amal educational packet, which raised awareness about climate change's disproportionate impact on communities of color in public school classrooms across the United States. Sunay's commitment to activism has also led him to speak at several global philanthropy conferences including the 2023 We Give Summit, where he led a panel about how to drive impact as a youth giver. 

In his free time, however, Sunay finds solace in poetry. His activist poems have been featured at prestigious venues like Riverside Church and the New York Botanical Gardens. However, he remains most excited reciting his verses in the intimacy of his own living room. 

Inspired by his Indian heritage, Sunay is deeply committed to fostering community and compassion. Though young, he hopes his passion for creating positive change on a global scale will be the key to realizing his dreams of a more perfect union. 

If you want to learn more about the work Sunay does or connect, reach him here:

New3Rs Instagram | LinkedIn

 

Blessing Wumba Dipumbe

Blessing Dipumbe is a high school senior in her final year and serves as the Representative Council of Learners and President of the Interact Club at her school. She is also the Program Assistant for the Marlene Silbert Youth Interfaith Initiative (MSYIIP), a 2-year program from grade 10 through grade 11 that provides a safe and stimulating environment where young people across Cape Town can build friendships and community across religious, cultural, racial, and socio-economic lines. The program helps learners deepen their understanding of social issues and different faith traditions, cultivating compassionate and engaged citizenship.

Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and raised in South Africa since the age of seven, Blessing is deeply connected to her heritage and uses poetry to tell the stories of her ancestors. As a refugee herself, she has a heart for the displaced and is passionate about creating safe spaces for young people to thrive and make a positive impact on the future.

 

Felipe has been bringing awareness to the golden rule and empathy with his energetic Millennial, Latinx, Immigrant, Queer voice and experiences to the compassionate movement for 4 years, joining the Charter for Compassion in 2021 to amplify its reach via social media and projects with his social marketing and project coordination skills.

 

 

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