About
Supported by Dubai Cares and together with Unbounded Associates and Plan International, the Ban Ki-moon Centre presents the “Your Future in Green Jobs” Online Course and Mentorship Program. The course and the mentorship aim to empower youth to connect their passion, interests, and skills with meaningful careers that address climate change head-on.
The self-paced Online Course consists of 6 modules and is full of interactive assignments, videos and plenty of new information and reflection spaces for learners to explore climate change and their role in tackling it. Let’s dive into this exciting topic, where knowledge, inspiration, and opportunity await!
The Mentorship – designed for people between the ages of 14 to 20 – builds on the knowledge youth gain from the Your Future in Green Jobs Online Course, which seeks to connect the passion, interests, and skills of young people with meaningful green career pathways. The BKMC will select around 20 young changemakers per year, who will receive one-on-one mentorship from leading practitioners in a wide variety of green jobs.
Discover below the first cohort of the Mentorship!
What will you learn?
The course aims to help you to:
- Become aware of climate change and the diverse range of jobs that can contribute to solutions.
- Gain a deep understanding of your own skills and talents, recognizing the unique value you bring to the table.
- Achieve a profound sense of empowerment, knowing that you have the agency to choose a career path that tackles climate change.
- Reflect on yourself and your aspirations, nurturing a strong sense of purpose and direction.
- Understand the broad definition of a green job and explore the diverse career paths within the industry.
- Develop a clear sense of what next steps are necessary for you to pursue your passion, be that further studies, vocational trainings, internships or founding your own start-up.
To complete this course, you need to study 50% of the board material and complete the final assignment in Module 6. We do not grade your reflections, but we encourage you to fill these questions out as well.
Course Overview
Module 1: Spot the Challenge
In this module, you will be introduced to key concepts related to climate change and green jobs. This module will help you “spot the challenge” of climate change and understand how you can act on your climate concerns through your career decisions. By the end of this module, you will be ready to move onto Module 2: Listen to Yourself.
Module 2: Listen to Yourself
In this module, you will build on what you learned in Module 1: Spot the Challenge and learn about the skills necessary for green jobs. You will think critically about how these green skills apply to different jobs and to your own life. By the end of the module, you will have reflected on which green skills you already possess and which you would like to keep building, preparing you to advance to Module 3: Find Youth Path.
Module 3: Find Your Path
In this module, you will build on what you’ve learned in Modules 1 and 2 and be introduced to an array of green career paths across different sectors by attending a Virtual Green Job Career Fair. The goal of this module is to give you a sense of the possibilities that lie ahead as you embark on your green career path. You will reflect on and assess what career paths most interest you and align with your skillset and values. By the end of this module, you will be ready to move on to Module 4: Consider the Bigger Picture.
Module 4: Consider The Bigger Picture
In this module, you will build on what you’ve learned in the first half of the course to connect green jobs to broader systems of change, exploring how all 17 of the Sustainable Development Goals are relevant to green jobs and a green transition. The goal of this module is to broaden your perspective of green jobs toward seeing how all jobs can be green jobs. By the end of this module, you will be ready to move on to Module 5: Unlock Your Inner Entrepreneur.
Module 5: Unlock Your Inner Entrepreneur
In this module, you will learn how you can bring your personal skills, interests, and values to whatever green job you decide to take on, adopting an entrepreneurial spirit in how you live and work more sustainably. The goal of this module is to prompt reflection on your own values and how they may align with your green career path and to introduce you to the work that green entrepreneurs around the world are doing, building their skills, following their interests, and working in alignment with their values while contributing to sustainable development. By the end of this module, you will be ready to move on to the final module of this course, Module 6: Build Your Green Career.
Module 6: Build Your Green Career
In this module, you will complete a Green New Careers quiz from the Sunrise Movement, and then learn about the different green career paths that may suit you best. The goal of this module is to bring together all you have learned about green jobs and yourself throughout this course. Thus, you will finish the course feeling confident and excited about finding the right green career path for you. By the end of this module, you will have a better idea of the types of green jobs out there that match your interests and working styles, and you will be ready to apply all you’ve learned in this course to the real world!
Mentees 2024
Boxun An
China
Boxun An
Calviona Nsiku
Malawi
Calviona Nsiku
Calviona Nsiku is a hardworking, ambitious person who loves to interact with others and meet new people. She highly values honesty and integrity and is passionate about helping others. After overcoming some personal challenges in her life, she is now committed to making a positive difference in her community and the world at large. She loves to cook, read, and spend time with her family.
Cosmas Mandikonza
Zimbabwe
Cosmas Mandikonza
Daniel Persky
United States of America
Daniel Persky
Denise Nabasirye
Uganda
Denise Nabasirye
Duurenbileg Lkhanaa
Mongolia
Duurenbileg Lkhanaa
Emaan Danish
Pakistan
Emaan Danish
Fardeen Blaq
Kenya
Fardeen Blaq
Fardeen Blaq is passionate about getting young people together to appreciate their potential and take action to make changes to their present situations, building a better life where everyone can thrive and live without extreme poverty. He is now working with his peers through Project-Based-Learning to meet the SDGs. Through his program, Kikao Cultures, started with his sister Hijaz Blaq, they teach their peers at the government-run children centers in Nairobi and are working towards influencing governments to take this approach with children all over the world. Fardeen’s favorite SDG is 17 Partnership for the Goals. It’s why he’s here.
Hamza Sadaqat
Pakistan
Hamza Sadaqat
Jessie Faith Thewo
Zambia
Jessie Faith Thewo
Ji-Ho Lee
Republic of Korea
Ji-Ho Lee
Kabir Pasricha
India
Kabir Pasricha
Keiraa Ardian
Indonesia
Keiraa Ardian
Kwanyoung Park
United States of America
Kwanyoung Park
Lateefa Alnoaimi
Bahrain
Lateefa Alnoaimi
Minseo Kim
Republic of Korea
Minseo Kim
Muhammad Nuhael Kabir
Bangladesh
Muhammad Nuhael Kabir
Muhammad Nuhael Kabir is an undergraduate student from Bangladesh, who serves as the 31st Eco-Generation Ambassador, working on environmental awareness programs and organizing events to inspire positive change. Passionate about climate change education, he is part of the ClimateEducate Project, which provides school-based programs and resources. His training at Climate Interactive, MIT Sloan Sustainability Initiative, and Ventana Systems has deepened his passion. His dream is to create an organization that brings together stakeholders from government agencies, local communities, environmental activists, scientists, and businesses to address climate change effectively in Bangladesh, creating a brighter, greener future.
Raisya Azka
Indonesia
Raisya Azka
Reginald Yaw Ansu-Koranteng
Ghana
Reginald Yaw Ansu-Koranteng
Sorkhugtani Bolor
Mongolia
Sorkhugtani Bolor
Sorkhugtani Bolor, nicknamed Sorkho, is Mongolia’s high school representative for the United Nations Youth Advisory Panel. She is passionate about fighting for a future that is just and sustainable.
Syeda Rahma Mashhadi
Pakistan
Syeda Rahma Mashhadi
Ved Solanke
India
Ved Solanke
Yusuf Sani
Nigeria
Yusuf Sani
Mentors 2024
Amber Webb
US
Amber Webb
Dr. Amber Webb has been a professional in international education for over 15 years and serves as the Managing Director of the SDG Academy at SDSN. In her role, she oversees the work of the education team, leads the development of new programs and partnerships, and advances the organizational mission to increase access to quality education for sustainable development. Prior to joining SDSN, Amber was the director of a humanitarian organization in Iraq assisting women and children who had been abducted by ISIS. In addition, she supported Barrister Amal Clooney and Nobel Laureate Nadia Murad as on the ground support for their case against ISIS. Amber has consulted on long-term projects for the U.S. Institute of Peace, Save the Children International, and the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights. She presently serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Maryland, teaching courses on education for global peace and international education policy. Amber holds a Master’s degree from Columbia University and a PhD from the University of Maryland.
Angelito Bisquera
Philippines
Angelito Bisquera
Jello, a dedicated environmental planner and advocate for sustainable development, has been at the forefront of initiatives aimed at mitigating climate change and preserving natural resources. With a Bachelor’s degree in Forestry from the University of the Philippines Los Baños and subsequent diplomas and certifications in Land Use Planning and Climate-Energy, Jello has equipped themselves with a robust understanding of environmental dynamics.
Building on this foundation, Jello pursued a Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning with a specialization in Environmental Planning from the University of the Philippines Diliman, deepening his expertise in shaping sustainable urban landscapes. Throughout his academic journey, he demonstrated a commitment to learning and innovation, evident in his participation in numerous conferences, workshops, and training programs on topics ranging from geospatial infrastructure to climate finance.
Professionally, Jello has held pivotal roles in various organizations, including serving as a GIS Officer at the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, where he played a crucial role in mapping aquaculture production zones and supporting the development of aqua-industrial business corridors. Simultaneously, he is serving as a Program Manager for SDG 13: Climate Action with 2030 Youth Force in the Philippines, leading initiatives focused on renewable energy, sustainable transportation, and ecosystem conservation. Also, he is currently servings as an Executive Director at SAFE droplet Inc., where they spearheaded strategic planning efforts and oversaw the implementation of programs aimed at promoting environmental sustainability. His contributions have been instrumental in advancing evidence-based policy-making, fostering strategic partnerships, and advocating for inclusive climate action.
With a wealth of experience spanning technical consultancy, project management, and advocacy, Jello continues to be a driving force in the realm of environmental conservation and climate resilience. His dedication to building resilient ecosystems and empowering communities underscores his unwavering commitment to creating a more sustainable and equitable future for all.
Bipana Dhakal
Nepal
Bipana Dhakal
Bipana Dhakal is a driven youth advocate from Nepal, with a strong passion for promoting quality education, youth empowerment, and rural community development. She is the founder of ‘The Learning Fortress,’ an innovative initiative aimed at establishing non-formal teaching and learning environment in Nepal’s remote communities. Bipana’s commitment to driving positive change extends to various domains. She has been acknowledged as a WEDU Rising Star 2021, acknowledging her exceptional potential in empowering women and fostering sustainable development. Additionally, her proficiency as a Data Values Enthusiast and RIVET Designer showcase her expertise in utilizing data-driven approaches to address societal challenges. Her dedication to internet and data governance has earned her recognition as a YouthxPolicymakers Ambassador for the year 2021 and a mentor to Youth IGF mentorship program 2022 highlighting her role in shaping policies and advocating for progressive measures.
Over the course of more than seven years, Bipana has made noteworthy contributions and gained invaluable experience in development initiatives, social action, and leadership. Her unwavering motivation and dedication are focused on the advancement of non-formal education methods and approaches, community engagement, and enhancement of education through the development of vital soft skills. Her efforts particularly target rural communities, with a strong emphasis on youth empowerment and representation.
Caroline Moko
Kenya
Caroline Moko
Caroline is a finance expert deeply committed to advancing sustainable agricultural practices in agroecology. She is also a Youth Agri Champion at the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens whereby she actively advocates for the importance of adopting Climate Adaptation strategies, which are key in combating the adverse effects of climate change.
Drawing on her expertise in Agroecology, Carol applies her knowledge to support and implement climate-smart agricultural practices aimed at climate adaptation in farming communities in her locality. She has actively engaged with local women’s groups, schools, and the wider community to promote and establish organic kitchen gardens, emphasizing the importance of environmentally friendly farming techniques.
Through her dedicated efforts, Carol not only encourages the adoption of organic practices but also educates and empowers women in her community to become self-sufficient in food production for better livelihoods while mitigating environmental impacts. Carol believes that safe food is a fundamental human right. Every human being has a right to good clean fair food.
Her work exemplifies a fusion of financial acumen with a strong commitment to agroecology, fostering resilience and sustainability in farming practices for a more environmentally conscious future.
Chimfwembe Mutale
Zambia
Chimfwembe Mutale
Chimfwembe Mutale (BEng Chemical) is a Zambian Founder at Yaaka Investments Limited- an ecopreneur start-up company solving community & global climate challenges. He is a global consultant at Onfrontiers as an expert in energy and climate. He attended the World Water Forum, Dakar Senegal, Sustainable Energy for All Kigali, Rwanda and Eu-Digilogic Boot Camp Helsinki, Finland. Awarded as top 10 Best Youth Wash innovations by UNDP 2020, top 60 Best Innovators in Zambia by ZICTA 2021, Mwape Peer Awards Engineering Excellence Award 2021(USA), Digital Hamburg logistics Best Top 3 global award 2021(Germany). Top 50 African Climate Innovators by UNDP & CTCN.
Fabian Lievano
Colombia
Fabian Lievano
Fabian Lievano is an accomplished environmental engineer with nearly five years of experience specializing in renewable energy engineering. They earned their Master’s degree with a focus on photovoltaic energy from Loughborough University, solidifying their expertise in sustainable energy solutions. Additionally, they hold a specialization degree in college teaching, reflecting their commitment to education and knowledge dissemination.
Throughout their career, Fabian Lievano has demonstrated a passion for mitigating environmental impact and promoting renewable energy adoption. Their experience includes significant contributions to carbon markets and carbon offsetting programs, where they have played a crucial role in developing and implementing strategies to reduce carbon emissions.
With a strong foundation in renewable energy technology and a keen understanding of environmental principles, Fabian Lievano continues to drive innovation in the field, working towards a more sustainable and greener future.
Greg Ikwe
Nigeria
Greg Ikwe
Greg Ikwe is a serial entrepreneur, a strategist, pragmatic leader, a project manager and a business consultant with more than ten years of experience, he is a graduate from Ahmadu Bello University with a Masters in Project Management, he has demonstrated great passion for implementing programs and events that not only build the capacities of individuals, organizations, and communities with a particular focus on making an impact but also result in a comprehensively positive transformation within the organizations, communities, and people.
He works with Cofarms Greenaid Revolution Ltd an organization that has worked with over 100,000 beneficiaries within the Agricultural value chain across 21 states in Nigeria and neighboring African countries, He is also a business Developer and has helped provide business development services directly to over 30 organizations.
In addition, he is a board member in several institutions and has work on several projects with international partners including: Mercy Corps, USAID (feed the Future), and GIZ, to mention a few. He is a Professional Project manager with several years of experiences of managing projects and also a certified business development service provider where he helped SMEs raised over $200m in capital for their various projects and consulted for the successful execution of the said projects.
Iqbal Badruddin Jamal
Pakistan
IqbalBadruddinJamal
Iqbal Badruddin Jamal is a sustainability partner for Global Encounters Dubai, leveraging his climate expertise. Having completed his Master of Climate Change at the University of Waterloo, Canada, Iqbal is now focused on knowledge sharing between the West and the Global South. He aspires to develop a platform to facilitate this exchange, empowering communities to combat climate change through shared experiences and technological advancements. Iqbal’s passion for climate action stems from his experience as the founder of Fridays for Future Pakistan, highlighting the vulnerability of his home country. Through Awareness Camps, he bridges divides and unites people in the fight for a sustainable future. He continues to collaborate with young people and organizations globally, promoting the message of environmental responsibility and building a more just and equitable world.
Lubona Annie Mwale Chifita
Zambia
Lubona Annie Mwale Chifita
Lubona Annie Mwale Chifita is an experienced community worker specializing in climate-resilient agriculture. She is the founder of One Light Agribusiness and Consultancy Limited (OLAB), a company dedicated to supporting women, youth, and smallholder farmers by promoting resilient production methods.
At OLAB, Lubona’s primary focus is on supporting women, youth, and smallholder farmers, aiming to alleviate poverty and hunger by championing resilient production methods. Her commitment to this cause is evident in OLAB’s core objective of promoting resilient agriculture practices.
Lubona holds a diploma in Agriculture with a major in Crop Science and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies with a minor in Sociology, demonstrating her dedication to furthering her knowledge and skills in development-related fields.
Since completing her studies in 2017, Lubona has actively participated in various projects aimed at addressing climate change and adaptation in agriculture. She has contributed to initiatives such as the Integrated Water Resource Management Project (IWRM) and the Agricultural Water Resources Efficiency (AWARE) project. These projects focused on implementing climate-smart agriculture practices in horticulture and dairy farming, including establishing demonstration sites, conducting trainings, and promoting the adoption of sustainable agricultural techniques.
One notable project Lubona has been involved in is the Accelerate Water and Agricultural Resource Efficiency (AWARE) project, a climate-resilient initiative targeting 11,000 smallholder farmers in horticulture and dairy production. The project’s objective is to demonstrate water harvesting and usage efficiency, while applying climate-resilient practices and ensuring farmers adopt these techniques. Co-funded by the EU and GIZ, the project is being implemented by NIRAS in Southern and Central provinces, with public extension officers involved for sustainability. Farmers are trained at demonstration sites, and early adopters are selected as lead farmers to motivate their peers to transition from conventional to conservation farming practices.
Mathias Yabe
Ghana
Mathias Yabe
Mathias Charles Yabe is an award-winning Ghanaian social entrepreneur and innovator driven by a passion for creating positive community impact.
For half a decade now, he has been deeply involved in social impact work. Mathias launched AkoFresh, an initiative that strengthens food systems and empowers youth and women farmers in local communities with digital skills and tools so they can thrive.
To date, he has contributed to the implementation of five social impact projects, benefiting more than 7,000 individuals across Ghana. He has also shared insights at global gatherings, including COP27 and the Global Solutions Summit in Berlin.
His efforts in youth participation and empowerment have earned him global recognitions from organizations like Global Solutions Initiative, UN FAO, The Ford Motor Company Fund, and he was named a Top Innovator by The World Economic Forum.
Mathias is an inspiration, steering social impact in food systems and empowering youth.
In 2023, he was a Mentor for the Women Entrepreneurship Accelerator Challenge hosted by the International Telecommunication Union.
Melvin Muna
Kenya
Melvin Muna
Melvin Muna is the Founder and CEO of MELMAX FARM FRESH, a farming venture that uses sustainable agricultural practices to grow fresh vegetables all year long for the export and local market. He is a specialist in climate adaptation strategies, with a focus on helping smallholder farmers build resilience and increase their income. He has extensive experience in working with farmers in developing countries, and a deep understanding of the challenges they face in adapting to a changing climate.
Mette Grangaard Lund
Denmark
Mette Grangaard Lund
Mette is based in Lebanon as the Just Transition Specialist for the Regional Office for Arab States of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), covering the climate change, green jobs, and just transition agenda across the 12 countries in the region. Her primary focus is the social dimension of climate change and climate action, supporting governments, workers’, and employers’ organisations in their just transition efforts. Prior to taking on this position, Mette worked as the Technical Officer on Just Transition in the Enterprise Department of the ILO and with the Priority Action Program on Just Transition. During this time Mette has been in charge of coordinating the ILO COP presence since Glasgow, and establishing the Just Transition Pavilion and just transition policy through ILO and UNFCCC policy processes. In particular, she is covering work streams of private sector engagement, circular economy, and green jobs for youth. Before joining the ILO, she was working for a Danish employers’ organisation on private sector development and job creation in more than 15 countries, in particular the MENA and Gulf-region. Mette holds a master’s degree in Business and Development Studies from Copenhagen Business School.
Njieforti Princewill Gana
Cameroon
Njieforti Princewill Gana
Njieforti Princewill Gana is the EVWA Champion 2023 under the Ban Ki-moon Center for Global Citizens and an award-winning sustainable agriculturalist. He is the founder and CEO of Sustain Afric, a non-profit organization that trains and empowers over 5,000 farmers across Africa. He is also an agricultural consultant, public speaker, trainer, and food system specialist with a passion for solving global challenges. He believes that the youths have the power to change the world and he strives to inspire them through his actions and words. In his spare time, he enjoys dancing, reading, and traveling.
Gana is a content creator and uses his videos to educate and advocate for climate-smart agricultural practices, the involvement of youths in Agriculture, etc.As a consultant, he has worked in the design and implementation of more than 40 projects worth over 500,000 dollars. He is an International public speaker and has been on one of the biggest platforms in Africa. He has a proven record in Marketing, Crop Production Advisory Services, Agricultural business, business development, and implementation.
Philipp Harnik
Austria
Philipp Harnik
Philipp Harnik is an ambitious and multilingual young professional driven by a passion for intercultural dialogue and sustainable and inclusive development. Prior to joining the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens he worked for a social enterprise in Beirut and gained diplomatic work experience at the Austrian Missions in Nairobi and Algiers as well as the International Organisation for Migration. He is a fierce advocate for multilateralism and is dedicated to economic, social, and cultural empowerment. During his studies in London, Singapore, and Vienna, Philipp developed a particular interest in the political economy of the MENA region.
Plangnan Damshakal
Nigeria
Plangnan Damshakal
Plangnan is a Team Lead , Researcher/Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) consultant and with five years of experience working in non-profit organizations such as Mercycorps, Harvestplus, Health Systems Diagnostic Centre (HSDC)360, Advokc Foundation, and Ecofriendly Africa Initiative, contributing as a consultant and a volunteer. Her engagements span projects related to climate change, Peace and Security Nexus conflict, Agriculture, and Energy. Holding a BSc in Geography and an MSc in Remote Sensing and GIS from Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria, she achieved notable success with her MSc thesis addressing energy insecurity in the Sahel region, securing three prestigious scholarships, including the Petroleum Development Technology Fund (PTDF) and Federal Scholarship for Outstanding Students.
As the Founder/Executive Director of Ecofriendly Africa Initiative (EFAI), Plangnan leads a rapidly growing and diverse team of 100+ young individuals from 43 African countries virtually, expanding the network by over 500% in 3+ years. EFAI, founded with the mission of advocating for climate justice and amplifying the voices of vulnerable communities in the face of climate change and conflict, has won her several notable international leadership fellowships including the Ban ki Moon fellowship for young women leaders in climate adaptation, True Africa University Fellowship for young women climate activist, Edkins Max Thabison Climate fellowship, student energy fellowship.
Her recent project, the Masterclass on Environmental Journalism, Storytelling, and Education, aimed at building the capacity of climate communicators in the frontline of advocacy in Africa. Spanning 3 cohorts ,this initiative which attracted 1139 applications from 43 countries, resulted in several award-winning positive stories and an average 200% increase in knowledge and skills in climate communication among the remaining participants.
Richard Kachungu
Zambia
Richard Kachungu
Richard is a Visionary, Youth advocate, and Entrepreneur. A Business Development consultant, and Leadership Coach. Passionate about Meaningful youth engagement. Richard Kachungu is a co-founder of the Young Emerging farmers Initiative (YEFI) – award winning initiative (2023 Equator Prize), where he is the Executive Director. He has trained over 10, 000 youths across the country on Sustainable Production (Regenerative agriculture, Agroecology), business / entrepreneurship and Leadership in the food system. He has also mentored over 2000 young people and provided them with business development services especially those wanting to start business or already doing business in the food system. He has facilitated the establishment of over 20 youth agro-enterprises in Zambia, as well as linked them to responsive financing and markets. He has designed, lead projects and programs that have an outreach of over 500, 000 people so far in Zambia and the region. He is an Obama Leader, a Global Change maker awardee, an Ubuntu Leader, a Climate Reality leader, a United People Global sustainability Leader, a 2022 ZANACO Youth Award recipient, as well as a 2022 Ban Ki-moon AgriChampion in Africa. He is also a 2023 Max Thabiso Edkins Climate Ambassador and a 2023 CXC Changemaker. Richard is also a 2024 Taproot Earth Global Climate Reparations Facilitation Fellow.
Sam Loni
US
Sam Loni
Sam Loni is a Program Director at the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) – a research and policy organisation, working under the auspices of the United Nations Secretary-General. He is also the founder and director of Global Schools, a program that combines research and training to promote education for sustainable development around the world.
Sam is expert in sustainable development and works at the intersection of research and policy. He is currently studying at the University of Oxford and conducting research on modelling and the economics of the net-zero transition.
He has been recognized by Forbes Magazine as one of Asia’s 30-under-30 social entrepreneurs, by the Nobel Peace Prize Forum as a young peacebuilder, and by the NAAEA as an environmental leader. He serves on several international boards and committees, including Mission 4.7, the Lancet COVID19 Commission, the SDSN Leadership Council, the Global Citizen Policy Committee, and the UNLEASH Innovation Labs.
Shannon Kobran
US
ShannonKobran
Shannon Kobran is the Regional Team Lead for Asia for the SDG Academy, the flagship education initiative of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, hosted at Sunway University in Malaysia.
Shannon has been with the SDG Academy since 2018, when she joined as an Education Manager in SDSN’s New York office. In 2021, she moved to Malaysia to establish an SDG Academy team in Kuala Lumpur. Prior to joining SDSN, Shannon worked for a NYC-based nonprofit that promotes global citizenship through cultural exchange between international students and local communities. She has also worked with the UN Development Programme (UNDP), evaluating and revising the pilot of UNDP’s award-winning Leadership Development Pathway, an online training program aimed at improving the performance of UNDP managers worldwide. Before transitioning to the international development space, Shannon spent five years as an editor and project manager for a leading educational publishing house. She holds a Master’s degree in International Educational Development from Teachers College, Columbia University, where her research focused on the intersection of technology and intercultural education. Shannon traces her interest in international education to the formative year she spent in the U.K. and the international connections she forged while completing her Bachelor’s degree in English Literature at Dickinson College in Pennsylvania, USA.
Suhaina Sultan
India
Suhaina Sultan
Suhaina is an accomplished educator with nearly five years of experience in establishing IB PYP (Primary Years Programme by the International Baccalaureate) programs. With a background in Psychology, Suhaina is deeply committed to holistic education and fostering inclusive learning environments. Currently serving as a PYP Coordinator at Lady Andal School in Chennai, she is known for her expertise in curriculum development, professional development, staff training, and community engagement. Beyond her professional pursuits, Suhaina enjoys baking, food photography, and exploring psychology. She is dedicated to inspiring positive change and making a lasting impact in education.
Suzan Donald Machera
Tanzania
Suzan Donald Machera
Suzan Donald Machera is the founder and CEO of Research Initiative for Sustainable Agriculture (RISA) an organization in Mbinga, Tanzania dedicated to transform Agriculture through Research, Innovation and Technology with the aim to empower farmers in devoloping sustainable agricultural solutions to improve food security and reduce poverty. Their organization is currently creating pesticide awareness to rural women, this is due to the negative effects of pesticides affecting women, women are the bearers of the next leaders of the future. She also collaborated with Nexis Africa Limited a tech company in devoloping Shamba plus app, a free based application that helps farmers to ask questions about pests and diseases and measures to overcome them. And also partnered with womens groups , schools to host workshops on safe use of pesticide in horticultural crops, nutrition, climate resiliency and biopesticides production using locally available materials in the situated area. Suzan holds a bachelor degree in Horticulture and Masters in Crop protection both obtained at Sokoine University of Agriculture in Tanzania with 8 years of experience in agricultural research and climate change. And in 2022, she had an opportunity to mentor and incubate secondary schools students in devoloping there ideas with an organization called Apps and girls.
Tugsjargal Erdenebaatar
Mongolia
Tugsjargal Erdenebaatar
Currently, Tugsjargal is a full-time employee at People in Need (Mongolia), involved in the “Switching on the Green Economy” initiative, funded by the EU SWITCH-Asia Program. Through this project, the team aims to implement eco-labeling standardization and criteria in the agri-food and beverage production sector, with a special focus on engaging 1,500 MSMEs in adopting circular economy practices.
As a Project Coordinator, Tugsjargal facilitates collaborative partnerships with various stakeholders, including government agencies, local communities, and partner NGOs, to promote the adoption of environmentally friendly practices. The project also focuses on the youth, with the goal of engaging over 10,000 young individuals in advocating for green and sustainable consumption. The daily routine is quite similar to any regular job, but what makes it exciting is the project involvement. This 4-year initiative introduces an eco-labeling scheme, standardization, and certification process aligned with the SDGs in Mongolia through practicing the circular economy method in close collaboration with targeted MSMEs.
A favorite part of working at People in Need is being part of a team composed mostly of young members with similar backgrounds and mindsets. This fosters easy collaboration and efficient teamwork, allowing the team to focus on the work that truly matters.
Tusayiwe Sikwese
Malawi
Tusayiwe Sikwese
Tusayiwe is a Public Policy analyst and a development enthusiast. She is passionate about empowering others to allow them to create significant and sustainable change for themselves and for their communities.
Tusayiwe is currently working with ActionAid Malawi as a Policy Coordinator, for Economic Justice and Rights. She is a Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens’ Elevating Voices of Women in Agriculture Changemaker (2022) Campaign alumni. Prior to this, Tusayiwe worked as a Programme Coordinator with CorpsAfrica/Malawi (2017-2019) served as a CorpsAfrica/Malawi Volunteer in Phalombe District (2016-2017).
Tusayiwe is currently serving as the 2023/2024 President of the Rotary Club of Lilongwe City Centre. She holds an MA in Political Science (Notable) from Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (Spain) 2020, and a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities (with Credit) from the University of Malawi (2014).
Vincent Muhoro
Kenya
Vincent Muhoro
Vincent Muhoro is a passionate environmental advocate and change maker dedicated to driving positive change in his community and beyond. With a background in media and communication and sustainable development, Vincent has been actively involved in initiatives aimed at addressing food insecurity, promoting regenerative agriculture, and fostering sustainable fashion practices.
As the founder of Dunia Bora, Vincent leads a pioneering venture that seeks to revolutionize the food and fashion industries through innovative solutions rooted in nature. Through Dunia Bora, Vincent combines his expertise in environmental conservation with his commitment to social impact to create a more equitable and sustainable future for all.
Vincent’s dedication to environmental sustainability has been recognized through various accolades and achievements, including being selected as a winner of the Ashoka GreenChangemakers Challenge, successfully implemented a micro-sdg project with the support of Ban Ki-Moon Centre for Global Citizenship and participating in the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Big Food Re-design Challenge production phase. He is also a certified ESG Fund Analyst and a Net Zero Analyst, leveraging his expertise to drive sustainable investment practices.
Outside of his professional endeavors, Vincent enjoys exploring nature, photography, and mentoring aspiring environmental leaders. He is excited to contribute to the Your Future in Green Jobs Mentorship Program, sharing his knowledge and experience to empower the next generation of green change makers.
