Young people play a key role in Amnesty International’s vision of a world in which every person enjoys all human rights.
The Youth, Power, Action! Global Children and Youth Strategy (2022-2025) sets the direction for Amnesty International’s work for, by and with children and young people. It will be delivered by people from all generations, with children and young people themselves in the driving seat. By drawing on the energy, creativity and skills of children and young people, and by enabling and empowering their active participation across all levels of our work, we aim to create an environment in which they actively contribute to human rights impact and play an integral role in achieving our vision and the priorities of the Global Strategic Framework.
At Amnesty International we work with and for young people on the issues that are most relevant to their lives. Although young people can be viewed as a single, homogeneous group defined exclusively by age, in reality they have multiple identities shaped by factors such as, but not limited to, gender, race, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability or nationality. By enabling and empowering the active participation of young people at all levels of our work, we aim to create an environment in which they actively contribute to human rights impact.
Together, we can realize our collective power.
Vibha Venkatesha, a member of the Global Youth Collective
Download our Youth Power for Youth Rights Toolkit
The toolkit outlines the process of developing and implementing a national youth strategy.
What are we working on?
Youth in the spotlight
Meet our global youth leaders
The Global Youth Collective and Digital Rights Champions.
The Amnesty International Global Youth Collective is a team of Amnesty International youth leaders (under 25 years old) and Amnesty staff with a youth brief from across the global movement who are champions for youth engagement and participation. As champions, they bring the thought leadership that is needed to reach the goals in the International Youth Strategy, and look for opportunities to advance its implementation.
Members of the Collective serve a two-year term, in which they play a role as spokespersons on youth issues and raise youth perspectives both internally and externally to help support and expand the space for greater youth(-led) engagement and participation. They amplify the voice of youth leaders and activists on issues that are relevant and matter to young people within and outside Amnesty International, contribute to the agendas of global, regional and national Amnesty International meetings to advise on how youth perspectives can be included, and provide strategic advice to relevant teams across the movement on integrating youth perspectives across all areas and levels of Amnesty International’s work.
For more information about the Amnesty Global Youth Collective or requests for collaboration you can contact the Global Youth Team.
Please meet Eunice, Charlie, Pascaliah, Samuel, Katja, Lewis, Minna and de la Rosa:
Andrea Eunice Vásquez (she/her)
Eunice is an International Relations student at ULACIT in Costa Rica and served as an International Cooperation Intern at the Ministry of Economy, Industry, and Commerce. She is currently an intern at the Inter-American Institute of Human Rights and a Global Youth Ambassador for Theirworld.
Eunice has extensive experience in economics, human resources, and consultancy and has been recognized as Best Delegate at UPMUNC and MUN. She founded ULACIT’s Human Rights Commission and represents the university in International Human Rights Litigation Competitions.
She excels in critical thinking, legal knowledge, and project management. Her volunteer work includes roles in AFS-Intercultural Programs and SIFAIS.
As an International Member of the Youth Advisory Board at Amnesty International, she advises on youth perspectives for global campaigns and policy consultations.
Lewis Ampem-Darko Osae (he/him)
Lewis Ampem-Darko Osae is an activist and a final year aerospace engineering student at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) with over three years of experience in youth leadership and human rights advocacy. As the current National Youth Coordinating Team Member for Youth in Amnesty International Ghana, he has played a significant role in increasing youth participation in Amnesty’s initiatives. His leadership as the KNUST Youth Group Leader led to the group’s membership growing from 9 to 76 active members, with membership participation in Amnesty Ghana activities rising significantly. Lewis also contributed to the organization’s broader campaigns, including the 2023 Write for Rights, where he helped garner over 10,000 signatures.
In addition to his work with Amnesty, Lewis is a Young Technical Advisor at the Mastercard Foundation Ghana, where he advocates for young entrepreneurs in agriculture. He also serves as President of the Association of Aerospace, Marine, and Automobile Engineering Students at KNUST and is actively involved in mental health advocacy as a peer counselor.
Lewis has made significant contributions to Amnesty International Ghana, earning recognition as the best group leader and leading KNUST’s Youth Group to be named the most active group in the Southern Sector at the 2024 Amnesty Ghana Annual General Assembly where he also served as a rapporteur. His commitment to human rights is evident in his leadership roles, where he has increased youth participation in various campaigns. His efforts have impacted over 3,000 people, with a focus on issues like gender-based violence and internet safety. Lewis’s dedication to advocacy highlights his belief in the power of activism to drive positive social change.
Katja Nübler
Katja is a 23-year-old activist from Amnesty Germany based in Munich. Born in rural Bavaria, Katja has lived in various German cities as well as in Madrid. They have been active for Amnesty International since the age of 14, first as a student member in Eastern Germany, later as a Youth Representative in the German section and currently as a member of the country coordinator network.
For a long time now they have been active in a partnership between Amnesty Ghana and Amnesty Germany, where they learned the importance of decolonising our human rights work and have been an advocate for it ever since. In addition, they are committed to raising awareness and protection of discrimination in order to create a culture of wellbeing in our movement as well as more accessible ways of getting involved so that everyone feels valued and accepted.
As a student of Catholic theology, Katja is particularly passionate about womens’ and queer persons’ rights in their church as well as in interdenominational and interreligious dialogues. Beyond that, they love sailing and ancient languages. In the coming years, Katja also hopes to make a contribution to the fight against Antisemitism and against the resurgent shift to the far-right in Europe.
Minna Adlan (she/her)
Minna is a passionate youth activist from Sudan, pursuing a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) with International Relations. With a strong commitment to international law and human rights, Minna has gained diverse experience through her involvement in various global organizations and initiatives.
She is a firm believer in youth empowerment and the importance of fostering inclusive spaces for dialogue and action. Through her involvement with multiple youth-led organizations and initiatives, she continues to amplify the voices of young people on the global stage.
She brings a unique perspective to her work, focusing on creating a more equitable and just society. Her commitment to advocacy and change-making drives her ambition to pursue a career in international law, with the aim of making a tangible impact in the world.
Samuel Chou (he/him)
Samuel is a passionate 17-year-old activist from Taiwan, and a proud member of the Amis, one of Taiwan’s Indigenous tribes. As a member of Amnesty Taiwan’s Youth Collective, Samuel leads youth-driven anti-discrimination initiatives, focusing on addressing discrimination against Indigenous peoples.
Samuel also serves as a member of the Human Rights Working Group under Taiwan’s Ministry of Education and an Advisory Committee Member for the K-12 Education Administration. These roles allow him to influence educational policies that prioritize equality and human rights for children, youth, and Indigenous communities throughout Taiwan.
Driven by a strong commitment to human rights advocacy, Samuel joined Amnesty International to stand up for individuals facing discrimination and injustice. He works to amplify the voices of marginalized groups, ensuring that their stories are heard and their rights are acknowledged.
Charlie Matthews (he/him)
Charlie is based in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and is completing a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts at the University of Auckland, majoring in Economics with modules in Mandarin. He also works at the University as a Research Assistant and Graduate Teaching Assistant.
He has broad experience in youth civic engagement and joined the Board of Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand as a Youth Co-Opted member in 2023. Charlie aims to use his tenure on the Global Youth Collective to support youth representation in governance and raise awareness of the concerns of the Asia Pacific while working towards Amnesty’s goal of protecting human rights.
Pascaliah Nyaboke (she/her)
Pascaliah is a dynamic leader and passionate advocate for youth empowerment and human rights. She currently serves as the Board Chairperson for the European Union Youth Sounding Board in Kenya, where she champions youth involvement in decision-making processes, driving sustainable development and amplifying young voices.
A seasoned journalist and storyteller, Pascaliah is pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Communication and Media Studies at Kenyatta University. She has also worked as a reporter and news presenter at Pamoja FM, a community media station in her neighborhood where she was a voice for the voiceless and a watchdog holding the government to account. Her deep-rooted passion for human rights and social justice was further shaped during her internship at Amnesty International Kenya, where she worked in the communications department, using her voice and skills to spotlight critical issues.
In 2024, Pascaliah was honored to represent Kenya as part of the delegation to the Amnesty International Regional Forum and Global Assembly, engaging with global leaders and youth activists on key human rights issues.
With a strong commitment to social change, Pascaliah continues to advocate for the rights of the marginalized and strives to inspire and uplift the next generation of leaders. She also believes in the power of the youth to drive real change and being given seats at the table especially where it really counts.”
de la Rosa (she/they)
de la Rosa is a youth activist from Chile, South America, and a student of social anthropology. Their main work areas are gender, environment, Latin America, and the Arab world. Their activism is strongly influenced by theatre, magic, performance, and the arts. Recently, de la Rosa organised political performances for AI Chile on migration, refugees, and Palestine.
The Amnesty International Digital Rights Champions are a group of children and young leaders from across the globe with an interest and expertise in digital rights. The Digital Rights Champions ensure that children and youth perspectives are at the centre of the RIGHTS Click programme’s design and delivery. In 2024, they will also play a key role in shaping and attending The Global Youth Summit for Digital Rights held in Argentina and online, and will lead in campaigning, advocating and community building for digital rights afterwards!
If you want to find out more about the Digital Rights Champions, please contact the Global Children and Youth Team at [email protected].
Lisakhanya Mathiso, ROOTS
Lisakhanya Mathiso is a 21-year-old climate activist from Cape Town, South Africa. She is currently pursuing a diploma in Information and Communication Technology. With a strong passion for climate justice, Lisakhanya has been actively engaged in various initiatives since 2019, including the YouLead Initiative with Project 90 by 2030, ‘Youth Against the System’ with the Alternative Information Development Centre, and the ambassadors programme. She has also served as a spokesperson for the African Climate Alliance and has been an integral part of Project 90 by 2030’s youth project, co-creating Afrocentric climate knowledge and resources for youth in South Africa. Recently, she has taken her commitment to sustainability to the next level by launching her own project, the Refresh Initiative, which focuses on reducing textile and electronic waste through recycling and upcycling.
Franck Ngenzebuhoro, UNOY
My name is Franck and I’m a feminist and peace activist. I’m a young leader and work as a Co-director at Youth Empowerment and Leadership Initiative (YELI-Burundi), I serve as an advocate for women and girl’s rights protection; support the execution of projects to improve women’s lives socially and economically. My work at YELI Burundi is most focusing on Digital Rights, Media and Information Literacy; advocacy; conflict prevention and transformation, education and economic development.
I am the Digital Rights advocate, I have contributed in planning and implementing the Talking Across Generation on Education (TAGe) initiative where we invite different young people from across the country in online consultations and live event.
Santiago Urdanivia, Restless Development
Santiago (he,his, him) is a trans man from Pasto, Nariño, Colombia. He is studying psychology at the University of Antioquia in Medellín. Santiago comes from a region where he works with gender-diverse communities, supporting people who live their lives outside traditional gender norms.
He has been involved in various initiatives to defend the rights of trans and LGBTQ+ people, as well as human rights in general. Santiago has also participated in discussions with the current government of Colombia, advocating for better access to services and support in regions outside the big cities.
Grâce Charity MAMA, Amnesty Togo
I am Grâce Charity MAMA, I am a human rights defender and a member of Amnesty International Togo. Since 2020, I have been coordinating the actions of the Section’s Web Activists network, within which we carry out digital actions and campaigns. We have worked on freedom of expression, responsible use of social networks and the campaign on maternal health in Togo, among other themes to occupy the digital space.
At local level, I’m secretary of Amnesty International Togo’s Local Dignity Group. As well as training members, I coordinate awareness-raising sessions for young people in our community’s school clubs on human rights education, to help them become agents of change within our communities.
I also have solid experience in community development with the Togolese association which supports small producers in rural areas. I’m also a member of the youth organisation “Alafia Jeunes” which works in partnership with Plan International Togo to promote equality for girls in Togo.
Niraphorn, Amnesty Thailand
Hello, Sawaddeeka, my name is Niraphorn. I am a student at the Faculty of Liberal Arts, Thailand.
I was actively involved in political movements from 2020 to 2021 as a member of the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstrations. Our advocacy spanned various issues, including citizens’ rights and freedoms, democracy, and human rights. However, the issue that drew the most attention, likely from the authorities, was the call for institutional reform, particularly concerning the monarchy. Our movement perceived issues in the relationship between the monarchy and the Thai political system, impacting human rights in Thailand, such as Lèse-majesté law.
Due to these activities, I became a target of cyberattacks by state authorities. While this experience instilled a sense of fear initially but then it made me aware of digital rights and freedoms. It emphasized the importance of understanding and safeguarding our digital rights, prompting me to reflect on how we can uphold these rights in the digital realm.
Rachana Dangal, Amnesty Nepal
I’m Rachana Dangal, stepping into the role of Digital Rights Champion with huge enthusiasm and purpose.
I am a law student and my background in law has shaped my commitment to advancing digital rights. Throughout my journey, I have been advocating for digital rights through various campaigns and events.
As a Digital Rights Champion, I further want to explore more on the field of digital rights, aspiring to foster a culture of digital inclusivity.
I look forward to collaborating with like-minded fellow champions and contributing to the impactful work of Amnesty International. Let’s unite in the cause of digital rights to make internet a safe place for everyone and to make digital world a tool of empowerment.
Claudia Collins, Amnesty U.K.
Claudia is a 16-year-old activist and Chair of the Children’s Human Rights Network. Over the past few years, her activism has centred around preserving children’s human and digital rights online, speaking out in particular on the impact of social media in facilitating mental health disorders amongst its young users. Claudia has written articles for the Telegraph and Times on how social media may drive teens to self-harm and suicide and presented a BBC segment on how social media algorithms were leading to rises in self-harm. Through this work Claudia was named as one of Women of the World’s Young Global Leaders in their 2023 directory.
Claudia advocates for a world where Tech may be an overarching for good and as a volunteer with Projects Abroad in Ghana witnessed the power technology and computer use impacted young girls’ educational development and broadened their understanding of human rights in slum communities. Inspired by this, she wrote an article for the Financial Times in collaboration with Restless Development in how education needs to change for young people to stay in school.
William Orora, Amnesty Kenya
William Orora is a form three student at Kabianga School, located in Kericho County, Kenya. He is a dedicated human rights enthusiast with a particular passion for digital rights. With a strong commitment to creating a safe and child-friendly digital environment, William aims to contribute positively to the digital sphere. Beyond his advocacy, William enjoys engaging in literary pursuits, listening to music, actively participating in football, and indulging in leisurely bicycle rides.
Abril Perazzini, Amnesty Argentina
I’m Abril Perazzini, an 18-year-old Argentine student currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. I’m deeply committed to defending human rights, with a particular focus on the digital sphere.
Since 2022, I’ve been an active member of Amnesty International Argentina’s youth group where I lead the Digital Rights Commission.
In addition to my work with Amnesty International, I have the privilege of serving as a Youth Foresight Fellow at UNICEF’s Global Office of Research and Foresight (UNICEF Innocenti). In this capacity, I focus on developing foresights tools to create impact on children worldwide and collaborate with UNICEF both as a global and national level.
My journey is driven by a profound desire to make a positive impact on the world, with a specific focus on human rights and the well-being of children. As I continue on my path, I remain committed to learning, growing, and making a meaningful difference in the years to come.
Mercedes Alvarez Treveset, Amnesty Argentina
I am Mercedes Alvarez Treveset, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on March 28, 2006. A 17-year-old high school student wanting to pursue a career in International Relationships. I have fluency in Spanish, English, and French, having obtained several qualifications for it, such as Trinity, First Certificate In English, Advanced and IGCSE.
My dedication to human rights fuels my work, particularly in the realm of digital rights. Since 2021, I’ve been actively involved with Amnesty International Argentina, currently leading the digital rights commission alongside Abril Perazzini in the Youth Group. My contributions extend to various international projects, including the innovative Research Rebels initiative.
Lewis Ampem-Darko Osae
Lewis is an activist and a final year aerospace engineering student with over three years of experience in youth leadership and human rights advocacy. As the current National Youth Coordinating Team Member for Youth in Amnesty International Ghana, he has played a significant role in increasing youth participation in Amnesty’s initiatives. Lewis also contributed to the organization’s broader campaigns, including the 2023 Write for Rights, where he helped garner over 10,000 signatures.
Lewis is a Young Technical Advisor at the Mastercard Foundation Ghana, where he advocates for young entrepreneurs in agriculture. He also serves as President of the Association of Aerospace, Marine, and Automobile Engineering Students at KNUST and is actively involved in mental health advocacy as a peer counselor.
Lewis has made significant contributions to Amnesty International Ghana, earning recognition as the best group leader and leading KNUST’s Youth Group to be named the most active group in the Southern Sector at the 2024 Amnesty Ghana Annual General Assembly where he also served as a rapporteur. Lewis’s dedication to advocacy highlights his belief in the power of activism to drive positive social change.
Minna Adlan, International Member, Sudan
Minna is a passionate youth activist from Sudan, pursuing a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) with International Relations. With a strong commitment to international law and human rights, Minna has gained diverse experience through her involvement in various global organizations and initiatives.
She is a firm believer in youth empowerment and the importance of fostering inclusive spaces for dialogue and action. Through her involvement with multiple youth-led organizations and initiatives, she continues to amplify the voices of young people on the global stage.
She brings a unique perspective to her work, focusing on creating a more equitable and just society. Her commitment to advocacy and change-making drives her ambition to pursue a career in international law, with the aim of making a tangible impact in the world.
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