The Kofi Annan Foundation, with the support of Ambassador Jenö Staehelin’s Foundation, is proud to announce the Kofi Annan Changemakers 2025. We are excited to welcome fourteen dynamic and inspiring young leaders who will embark on a year-long journey to engage in intergenerational dialogue, collaborate with mentors, and scale up their positive impact with seed grant projects.
The Vision behind the Kofi Annan Changemakers Initiative
Kofi Annan believed in the power of youth to drive global change. He once said, “Young people should be at the forefront of global change and innovation.” Launched in 2021, the Kofi Annan Changemakers Initiative seeks to make the voices of young people count by giving them a space to dialogue with and seek counsel from experienced leaders on issues of deep concern whilst affording the opportunity to leaders to understand the preoccupation of young people better. By engaging in this intergenerational dialogue, these young leaders foster mutual learning and collaboration and search for ways to build their capacity for positive action on the challenges of today.
Kofi Annan Changemakers 2025
Michelle Shi Jie Chew
Malaysia
Michelle (she/her) is an experienced youth advocate committed to social justice and inclusive governance. Starting as a grassroots volunteer, she progressed to shaping global youth initiatives. She played a key role in launching the Red Cross Red Crescent Strategy on Youth-led Climate Action and revising the IFRC Youth Engagement Strategy. Her work focuses on reducing inequalities, strengthening youth participation through policy, advocacy and education.
Saviour Iwezue
Nigeria
Saviour (she/her) is an environmental activist and founded ’Team Illuminate’ in 2021 to empower youth as climate leaders through education and grassroots action. Blending digital tools, storytelling, and experiential learning, her initiative embeds sustainability in school curricula and trains students and teachers. With her team of 15 volunteers, they foster climate leadership across regions, using design thinking and reflection to build deep environmental awareness.
Esso-Dong Kongah
Togo
Esso-Dong (he/him) works for the protection and realization of human rights and the rule of law by offering legal assistance. He leads the ’Centre de Documentation et de Formation sur les Droits de l’Homme’ (CDFDH) in Togo, using digital tools to promote access to justice. CDFDH also works to advance human rights via training, research, and collaboration with regional partners to strengthen the capacity of lawyers, civil society, and institutions across Africa.
Lennox Omondi
Kenya
Lennox (he/him) leads ‘Ecobana Limited’, Kenya’s first startup producing 100% biodegradable sanitary pads, tackling menstrual product inaccessibility and stigma. His initiative helps keep girls in school and promotes male involvement in menstrual health education. Its impact spans Kenya and exports to various countries in and beyond Africa.
Ahmed Abdulghani
Libya
Ahmed (he/him) is a peacebuilder driving youth-led solutions to conflict and climate challenges in the MENA region, with a focus on Libya. He is a lead at the ’MENA Coalition for YPS Agenda’, empowering youth through innovation, knowledge-sharing, and tailored approaches.Key achievements include Libya’s first national climate competition,the Climate Ambassador Network, and launching the first NGO fundraising department through the ‘Perpetual Peace Foundation’.
Ronny Saeed Hasan
Iraq
Ronny (she/her) advocates for Yazidi survivors of the 2014 ISIS genocide, combining legal accountability with community recovery. Ronny writes about human rights violations in Iraq and works with the ‘Yazidi Legal Network’ where she documents crimes, offers legal aid, and supports survivors in navigating justice systems: Ronny fosters a global network of Yazidi survivors for healing and solidarity. By merging legal advocacy with trauma support, she advances justice and empowers the Yazidi community.
Nusaiba Binte Mamun
Bangladesh
Nusaiba (she/her) founded ‘Anondopath’ in March 2024 to deliver accessible STEM education to rural students in Bangladesh, especially girls. Using virtual labs via smartphones, her team bridges the digital divide without internet or expensive tools. With her team, Nusaiba runs workshops around the country, creating inclusive learning experiences and reaching underserved communities.
Printiss Domah
Liberia
Printiss (he/him) is a young political activist who empowers youth in Liberia through programs that promote job creation, education, and entrepreneurship. With ‘Unity Party’, he advocates for transparency in public institutions and strengthens democracy through civic engagement. By educating citizens on their rights and responsibilities, and partnering with local and global groups, Printiss ensures youth play an active role in shaping Liberia’s political future.
Shirley Santana Herrera
Dominican Republic
Shirley (she/her) founded ‘Excelsior Academy’ in September 2022 to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity for youth in the Dominican Republic. Rooted in her experience growing up in a hurricane-stricken community, Shirley equips students with skills in critical thinking, digital literacy, and entrepreneurship. By preparing youth for the future of work and leadership, her work promotes long-term socioeconomic empowerment and resilience.
Davi Augusto
Brazil
Davi Augusto (he/him) is a psychologist, researcher and sexual reproductive rights advocate. His project ‘Sex Education for All‘ fosters critical thinking, violence prevention, and promotes youth autonomy. So far, his program has reached over 1,000 students in public schools, and through strategic advocacy, he is now working to expand the project to gain national visibility. His mission is to drive structural change in Brazilian education by institutionalizing comprehensive, evidence-based sex education as a national public policy rooted in human rights.
Larisa Aguilar
Guatemala
Larisa (she/her) works to eradicate gender inequalities in Guatemala, focusing on education and empowerment of women and girls. Addressing violence and discrimination rooted in patriarchal and racist systems, especially in rural Indigenous communities, her approach uses gender-transformative and participatory methods.
Nguyen Huu Quynh Huong
Vietnam
Quyhn Huong (she/her) leads ‘Slowbooks‘ to empower young authors and illustrators to create children’s books on social issues such as the environment and mental health. She has published several books for Vietnamese children and nurtures ‘SlowCircle’, a network of creatives in Vietnam where she combines storytelling and education through workshops, creative camps, reaching over 15,000 children so far.
Ria Das
India
Ria (she/her) is a lawyer working at the intersection of criminal law, environmental law, and juvenile justice, defending young activists and human rights defenders in India. She provides pro bono legal aid to juveniles, ensuring protection under child rights laws. Ria also trains youth in legal literacy and advocates for alternatives to imprisonment, such as counseling and rehabilitation, to reduce criminalization and support empowered, rights-aware activism.
Anna Ferreira
Venezuela
Anna (she/her) is a grassroots activist focused on combating oppression and shrinking civic spaces by building movements and empowering youth participation. She leads Venezuela’s National Student Movement and has mobilized over 1 million people. As a Youth Engagement Coordinator for ‘CIVICUS’, Anna also drives global peer learning and leads campaigns amplifying grassroots voices for justice and peace.
The Kofi Annan Changemakers Initiative: A Unique Opportunity for Youth Leadership
The Kofi Annan Changemakers Initiative is designed to elevate the voices of young changemakers and build their capacity for positive action on today’s challenges.
Over the course of the year, the Changemakers will dialogue with global leaders and experts, participate in a six-month online module, and attend a week-long in-person module in Geneva, Switzerland. They will receive guidance and support from a mentor and implement small seed grant projects to scale up their work.
Join us to celebrate the Kofi Annan Changemakers 2025!
Learn more about these inspiring young leaders and follow their journey as they drive positive change worldwide. The Kofi Annan Changemakers 2025 are set to make a significant impact and perpetuate Kofi Annan’s vision, ethics and values by joining the global Kofi Annan Changemakers community.
