Youth perspectives, in their own words.
Hi, I'm Kathlene, your future law student. I'm 18 and from New Zealand, and I recently finished high school. I'm a big advocacy enthusiast. I love spreading awareness, doing research, reading books, playing piano and painting portraits. I'm happy to be part of the community!
I am a student who believes that some children are not failing school. School is failing to understand them. I have seen how quickly difference can be mistaken for incapacity, and how silence in a classroom can be misread as ignorance.
At the age of 14, I witnessed a moment that has stayed with me: a child was punished at my neighbour's home after a teacher described her as inactive in class. She rarely answered questions, often made mistakes in exercises, and struggled to follow instructions in the expected way. Hearing her cry forced me to confront a difficult question: was she truly incapable, or was she simply being measured by a system that did not recognize how she learns?
That moment shaped my awareness of neurodivergence and the quiet injustice faced by students whose minds do not fit conventional expectations. I began to see that what is often labeled as a "failure" may actually be a misunderstanding. As a patient and observant student leader, I am committed to challenging this narrative, giving students a voice and advocating for learning spaces that recognize difference not as deficiency, but as diversity. As a Youth Ambassador, I want to turn this conviction into action by raising awareness, confronting stigma, and pushing for education systems that see every learner clearly.
My name is Renad Baomar. I am 14 years old, from Salalah, Oman, and a youth activist focused on leadership, environmental advocacy and empowering young voices. I am a member of the UNESCO Ocean Literacy Platform, Water for Youth Parliament, Youth 4 Climate, Youth.ify and the Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network. I am a fellow of The Earth Prize, an SDG Hero with UN ESCAP, Chapter Leader of State of Youth – Future Voices, and a leader with SheLeadsToo. I also take part in YCM Challenges. I founded Brave Voices to support youth mental health, anti-bullying and confidence-building, and I have been a virtual guest at NASA. I am an official finalist for the Women Changing the World Awards 2026. I volunteer with Gilte Future Female Leaders and UNDP Global Youth Space, and I won the Global Recognition Award. I am a Youth Ambassador with Mona Foundation and Cyber for Youth, a chapter leader with Living with Eczema, and a youth leader at Blowing in the Wind.
Hi, I'm Georgina, a 15-year-old from the Dominican Republic. I like debating, playing the piano and sharing my perspective on different topics. I'm interested in art, engineering and technology, and I'm always looking forward to learning more.
