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Youth Ambassador alumni lead on climate in their local communities

November 20, 2024

By Eric House

The 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, or COP 29, is taking place November 11–22 in Baku, Azerbaijan. The conference is an opportunity for global business, government, and civil society leaders to address solutions to climate issues and invest in a livable planet for all.

In light of this, we’re showcasing some of our program alumni who are tackling climate change right in their own communities. We believe they are truly the leaders of today.

Each year, Youth Ambassadors return to their home cities and neighborhoods equipped with new skills, connections, and drive to tackle issues they care deeply about. Many of them volunteer with or lead unique climate-based projects. Here are two Youth Ambassadors alumni whose projects are leading their communities toward climate solutions.

“By educating those around us and inspiring future generations, I believe we can create a brighter and more sustainable future — the very essence of the Youth Ambassadors program.”

Aseja Lakisha, a 2022 Youth Ambassador to the United States from the Caribbean, launched a major climate project in her community throughout 2023 and 2024. The goal of “Kids Can Take Climate Action Too!” was to promote climate action and advocacy among local youth under the age of 15 through different learning activities.

Alongside her fellow Youth Ambassador alumni, she led an educational session about plastic pollution followed by a learning game and a craft session where children repurposed plastic bottles into planters. She also led an activity that inspired kids to write poems and create crafts that represented what they had learned about the environment and the importance of climate action.

A young adult crouches down and smiles with a young child.
Youth Ambassador alumna Aseja led an educational session about plastic pollution followed by a learning game and a craft session where children repurposed plastic bottles into planters.
Five young adults pose and smile in front of a banner representing the Youth Ambassadors program.
Aseja conducted her climate project alongside her fellow Youth Ambassadors alumni.
A group of children in varying ages, including one in a wheelchair, all pose together in front of a banner representing the Youth Ambassadors program.
Aseja also led an activity that inspired kids to write poems and create crafts that represented what they had learned about the environment and the importance of climate action.

Since participating in the Youth Ambassadors program in 2020, Diego Chavez has been volunteering with Reusamás Foundation in his home country of Venezuela. The nongovernmental organization is dedicated to promoting the “3R culture” (reduce, reuse, and recycle), as well as environmental sustainability and the preservation of urban forests to mitigate climate change.

He has organized and participated in workshops and training sessions on environmental sustainability, waste lifecycles, and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. He also participated in recreational activities and sessions using recyclable materials to teach eco-entrepreneurship and inspire young individuals to dream of a sustainable future.

“Being a Youth Ambassador and participating in the 20th-anniversary summit of the program allowed me to see beyond and continue making a positive impact,” he said. “By educating those around us and inspiring future generations, I believe we can create a brighter and more sustainable future — the very essence of the Youth Ambassadors program.”

A young adult reaches into a plastic waste bin while holding a trash bag.
Diego Chavez has been volunteering with Reusamás Foundation in his home country of Venezuela since participating in Youth Ambassadors.
A young adult organizes plastic bottles for recycling.
Diego also participated in recreational activities and sessions using recyclable materials to teach eco-entrepreneurship and inspire young individuals to dream of a sustainable future.
Two young adults pose in front of recycling waste bins.
Diego has organized and participated in workshops and training sessions on environmental sustainability, waste lifecycles, and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Youth Ambassadors is a program of the U.S. Department of State and is administered by World Learning in partnership with Amigos de las Américas and Georgetown University Center for Intercultural Education and Development.