It is with great pleasure that I join the Youth Leaders Committee. I am honored to be part of this esteemed group and look forward to contributing to the success of the 13th WEEC 2026.

My name is Alinaitwe Jotham. I am a 25-year-old Ugandan youth leader, policy and governance enthusiast and passionate climate advocate.

As the Founder & CEO of Lead Impact Hub Uganda, a youth-led organization empowering young people to drive climate action and social change, I have represented Uganda on the global stage at the African Climate Summit, multiple COPs, the African Global Convention on Biodiversity, and the World Environmental Education Congress (WEEC).

I was recently elected as the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Organizer for the WEEC Network, amplifying youth voices in environmental education across the continent and I spearhead one of Uganda’s most dynamic initiatives— the Climate Defenders Program—which mobilizes communities and young leaders to champion climate justice, inclusion and sustainable policy frameworks.
My work sits at the intersection of policy, governance, and communication, bridging grassroots voices with national and international policymaking.

With a deep passion for climate justice and democratic governance, I strive to inspire action, create awareness and lead inclusive solutions for a just and sustainable future.

I’m Mmachukwu Obimdike, a passionate forester, environmentalist and sustainability advocate, with seven years of professional experience in environmental education and ecosystem restoration. I founded the Green Environment and Climate Change Initiative (GRENCHI) in Nigeria. This organization develops a project-based approach to contribute to the global climate action target. My intervention focused on restoration of degraded lands, women/farmers empowerment, green skill training and livelihood support and I believe that through nurturing skills in Environment – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (E-STEM), we can build a workforce ready for transitioning to the green economy which leaves no one behind.

Through contribution to environmental education, I was awarded EE 30Under30 in 2024 by the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) and received the WeNaturalist People of Nature Award under the category Environmental Educator of the Year 2023. I am an alumnus fellow of the International Sustainability Academy (ISA), a program of the Schutzgemeinschaft Deutscher Wald (SDW), Landesverband Hamburg, Germany.

In YLC, I will contribute my time and expertise to see to the success of WEEC. I hope to hone specific skills leveraging diversities that makes up the team and gain more international exposure and lifelong partners advancing EE and it’s components.

I’m so thrilled and truly honored to join the YLC of the 13th World Environmental Education Congress! I’m grateful to start this journey together, and I can’t wait to meet you all.

My name is Defne Mey Dilsiz and I’m from Türkiye. I’m a student at TED İzmir College High School, where I’m passionate about learning and exploring ways we can protect and cherish our environment. I am eager to share ideas, learn from others, and contribute my energy and creativity to projects that make a difference.

I hope to contribute to the Youth Leaders Committee by inspiring my peers to get involved, listening to different perspectives with an open mind, and working together to create meaningful actions that can help shape a more sustainable future.

By participating, I hope to meet new friends, discover new perspectives, and grow every day through this shared experience. I also hope to build strong connections so that we can collaborate for the well-being of people and our amazing planet with all its life.

My name is Fatima AlHemeiri, and I am an Analyst – Environmental Outreach and Awareness at the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD). I am passionate about using creativity and technology to connect people with nature and inspire collective environmental action.

With a bachelor’s degree in Communication from the United Arab Emirates University, I have built my career at the intersection of communication, education, and sustainability — designing and leading initiatives that make environmental awareness more accessible and engaging.

At EAD, I manage NAHA, the Agency’s digital engagement platform, and Connect with Nature, one of the UAE’s leading youth programmes. Through these initiatives, I have empowered thousands of young people to become active environmental stewards and community changemakers.

I have also contributed to the success of major national and international events, including World Environment Day, ADIHEX, IUCN 2025, and WEEC 2024 (World Environmental Education Congress), helping position Abu Dhabi as a global leader in environmental education and sustainability.

I believe that effective communication can spark real change. Through creativity, purpose, and outreach, I strive to inspire others to protect and preserve the planet for generations to come.

I am truly honored and excited to accept the offer to join the Youth Leaders Committee for the 13th World Environmental Education Congress.

My name is Kotoko Yadomaru, and I am from Japan. I am the founder of NatureLit Japan, a Japan-based organization that creates spaces for people to think, connect, and act together on environmental issues. Our work includes workshops, research, public outreach, and coaching, with a focus on empowering young people who want to get involved in environmental action but are unsure where to start. Through our activities, we aim to make environmental engagement more accessible, inclusive, and woven into everyday life.

Through YLC, I hope to contribute by sharing youth-led biodiversity and environmental education initiatives from Japan and by helping to build meaningful connections between local actions and the global community.

I also look forward to learning from the diverse perspectives and experiences of all members, and to finding opportunities for collaboration that can inspire youth action worldwide. I’m looking forward to working with you all in the lead-up to, during, and after the 13th WEEC.

I am truly honored and delighted for this amazing opportunity to join the Youth Leaders Committee (YLC) for the 13th WEEC 2026.

I’m very excited to be part of this global initiative and to collaborate with passionate youth leaders from across the world. It is a great privilege to contribute to environmental education and action, both locally and globally and I’m looking forward to this meaningful journey together.

My name is Nguyen Tran Tue Giang from Vietnam. I am a student with a strong passion for environmental sustainability, education and youth empowerment. Over the years I have been actively involved in various youth-led environmental initiatives and awareness campaigns in my community.

I aim to bring the voices and perspectives of youth in my region to the YLC, initiate local engagement activities leading up to the Congress, and work closely with other members to co-create impactful ideas and solutions.

I hope to broaden my understanding of environmental education in a global context, learn from diverse cultures and leadership styles, and grow both personally and professionally through this journey.

I am grateful to be part of this inspiring community and I’m truly looking forward to contributing and learning with you all.

My name is Diptesh Pandey, and I’m from India. As the South Asian Coordinator for Ozgreen, I’ve been organizing the Youth Leading the World (YLTW) congress since 2010 and had the privilege of organizing and facilitating over a dozen congresses, reaching more than 1,000 students from various communities and schools.

Our work has focused on educating about the pollution of the River Ganges and empowering them to reduce their eco-footprint and lead sustainable lives.

The YLTW congress is now successfully running in two Indian cities, both located on the banks of the Ganges. This work has allowed me to also train facilitators from around the world to create a positive environmental impact in their own regions.

I am keen to contribute to the YLC by sharing my experience in youth engagement and environmental education from a South Asian perspective. I believe my expertise in training facilitators and mobilizing young people will be valuable in developing and implementing effective strategies for youth participation.

I hope to help foster a truly inclusive and impactful global youth network and learn from the diverse experiences and insights of my fellow committee members to enhance my own work and become a more effective advocate for environmental change.

Thank you for this wonderful opportunity to be part of the Youth Leaders Committee for the 13th World Environmental Education Congress. I look forward to contributing to fostering youth engagement in the lead up to, during, and beyond the congress in 2026.

My name is Vineshni Ashna Ram, and I am from Lautoka City, Fiji Islands. I currently serve as the Finance and Operations Officer at Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC).

I hope to contribute to the YLC by listening to the stories and experiences of young people from around the world, sharing my own, and exchanging knowledge that will inspire collective learning and action. Through my involvement, I hope to gain deeper knowledge, new perspectives, and meaningful connections that will strengthen my ability to create positive change in my community and beyond.

I deeply appreciate your trust and look forward to working alongside this inspiring group of leaders from around the world.

My name is Tomás Teicher (he/him), a 26-year-old environmental educator and youth advocate from Argentina, currently based in Barcelona. I co-founded Consciente Colectivo in 2020 to empower young people across Argentina to become changemakers through civic engagement, environmental education, and advocacy.

With nearly a decade of experience coordinating leadership initiatives and designing interdisciplinary programs for youth changemakers, I strive to connect local realities with global conversations on sustainability. In 2023, I was honored to be recognized as part of NAAEE’s EE 30 Under 30 for my commitment to inclusive and transformative environmental education.

I hold a degree in Social Communication and a Master’s in Interdisciplinary Studies in Environmental, Economic, and Social Sustainability, where I explored how systems change, equity, and education intersect. I also worked at Ashoka, leading educational programs that supported young changemakers developing projects with local impact.

I enjoy traveling, learning from different communities, and storytelling as a way to inspire and connect people.

Being part of the Youth Committee is an exciting opportunity to learn, contribute ideas, and amplify youth leadership in environmental education worldwide. I hope to contribute by strengthening youth participation and building bridges between Latin American and international networks.

My name is Cristian. I am a young mountaineer from Guasca, in the Guavio region of Colombia, passionate about and interested in nature and working in the field.

I am an environmental promoter who has been developing various conservation, agroecology, and environmental education processes with community-based organizations (Andareguiando, Tamsa, Emboscados, Arts Collegium), children’s and youth nurseries, schools, nature reserves, and environmental organizations and institutions.

During my career as an environmental promoter, I have worked with organizations such as the Natura Foundation, the Humboldt Institute, National Natural Parks, and regional corporations.

My role has been to contribute to conservation projects for the Paramo ecosystem, the Andean Forest, and wetlands. I have used my knowledge of the territory, the propagation of native plant species, the identification and monitoring of fauna and flora, ecological restoration, social work, and environmental education to protect these strategic and unique ecosystems. These ecosystems are under pressure, and the value of their biodiversity and the ecosystem services they provide is unknown.

I currently work with the Humboldt Institute on the GEF Paramos para la vida project. I’m a nature guide and heritage interpreter. I love photography and being able to showcase the diversity of my country and strengthen community processes through audiovisual means.

My name is Jo Joly, and I’m a passionate educator, outdoor guide and program creator working at the intersection of ecology, conservation psychology, and community connection. I currently serve as Program Manager for Families in Nature (FIN), a nonprofit based in Austin, Texas, where I design and lead immersive, hands-on programs that make nature accessible and inclusive for people of all ages and backgrounds.

My work centres on cultivating deep, lasting relationships between people and the natural world, whether through wilderness skills, forest therapy, archery, or conservation education. I’m an IUCN CEC commissioner and committed to empowering the next generation of environmental leaders. Most recently, I led a delegation of nine youth leaders to the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi, where we amplified youth voices on a global stage.

With a Master’s in Anthrozoology and a BS in Animal Behaviour, Ecology, and Conservation from Canisius University, I’m especially interested in how nature connection supports community well-being and environmental stewardship. I believe meaningful change begins with connection, and that young people play a vital role in shaping a more just, resilient and sustainable future. When I’m not working, you’ll find me with my three dogs, singing with my ukulele, or floating in the nearest body of water.

My name is Victor Ostrowsky, originally from France but writing from Australia where I now reside.

I’m currently studying a Bachelor of Environmental & Earth-system Science whilst working and volunteering in wildlife conservation in different capacities. My focus lies within system dynamics and the complex interactions and feedbacks between environmental systems and social ones.

It is within this space of convergence I try to act, especially through the non-profit sector by founding Wildlife Preservation Clarence Valley; a regional land-trust dedicated to acquiring ecologically significant areas to be preserved and cared for in perpetuity. Building both, community resilience and a shared heritage through re-creating the commons is at once an environmental endeavour and a social one too.

Nurturing positive relationships across the international community is essential to coherently tackle the systemic challenges of today and I’m therefore delighted to take part in this year’s World Environmental Education Congress, Youth Leaders Committee.

I look forward to contributing what I can, and certainly to learning from and collaborating with such a diverse group of like-minded people.