FOCUS AREA › Youth in Action

Across regions, young people and students are organising to confront intersecting crises – from climate breakdown and growing inequalities to shrinking civic space and attacks on rights – and demanding education systems that are relevant, inclusive and accountable. GCE’s strategic plan recognises that this new generation is creating its own structures and activism, and that meaningful participation of youth and students is essential to advance SDG 4 and to revitalise the global movement for education.

GCE envisions education systems where youth and students are recognised as rights-holders and co-creators of learning spaces, with the power to shape policies, budgets and reforms at every level. This includes protecting their rights to organise, assemble and express dissent, and ensuring that youth-led and student-led organisations can participate as equal partners in national coalitions, regional platforms and global decision-making spaces.

Strengthening youth and student structures

Building on the Global Student and Youth Caucus and youth-led COVID-19 recovery initiatives, GCE is consolidating representative youth and student structures within the movement and supporting sustainable mechanisms to resource their participation.​

Enabling meaningful participation and leadership

GCE works to ensure that youth and students are present and heard in education policy dialogues, SDG 4 monitoring processes and key global education fora, and that their perspectives inform GCE’s positions, campaigns and research.​​

Supporting safe civic space for youth organising

Responding to crackdowns, surveillance and criminalisation of student activism, GCE advocates for protection of students’ rights to unionise, protest and engage in academic and political life without fear, including through “student-at-risk” and temporary protection schemes.

Within Youth in Action, GCE and its members focus on:

1. Securing recognition and rights for student and school-student unions, especially where they are banned or persecuted, as a pillar of democratic education governance.​
2. Embedding meaningful youth and student participation in laws, policies and institutional practices, from school governance to national and global education mechanisms.​
3. Ensuring that education reforms – including on climate justice, digital learning, gender equality, disability inclusion and education in emergencies – are shaped with and led by youth and student constituencies.

Youth Action Group Executive Members

Ester Simon

Ester Simon is a Namibian advocate for education, gender equality, and social justice. A GCE Board Member and President of the Pan-African Female Youth Leaders, she has previously served as Secretary General of the Southern African Students Union and as the first female President of the Namibian National Students Organisation. Founder of Joyrise Private Academy and a Presidential Advisor on Namibia’s High-Level Panel on the Economy, Ester has been recognised among the 100 Most Influential Young Africans for her leadership in advancing inclusive education and youth empowerment across Africa.

Tamara Cioubanu

Tamara is a PhD candidate at Babeș-Bolyai University in Romania and a Steering Committee Member of the Global Student Forum. With extensive experience in education policy and student advocacy, she has served as Vice President for Education and International Relations within the National Alliance of Student Organisations in Romania and as a member of the Executive Committee of the European Students’ Union, contributing to policy and quality assurance. Since 2018, she has been an Expert Evaluator for the Romanian Agency for Quality Assurance in Higher Education and currently serves on the Executive Committee of both GCE and the UNESCO SDG 4 Youth and Student Network.

Youth Action Group (YAG) Members

Alpha Dumbuya

Alpha is a Programme Coordinator and Community Development Practitioner with extensive experience in youth leadership, education, and sustainable development. At Youth Action for Relentless Development Organisation – Sierra Leone, he leads programmes that empower young people and vulnerable communities nationwide. A dedicated advocate for Quality Education (SDG 4) and youth engagement, he was recognised by the Freetown City Council as a Community Climate Action Ambassador for his role in the #FreetownTheTreeTown campaign. Alpha also serves on Sierra Leone’s National Technical Working Group on Youth, Peace, and Security, contributing to inclusive policy development in partnership with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and international agencies.

Maryam Bello

Maryam is a public health innovator and youth leader with nearly a decade of impact across health, technology, and climate resilience. She co-founded Parker’s Mobile Clinic, providing climate-resilient healthcare to over 150,000 people through an AI-powered telemedicine system for flood-prone communities. As founder of ITIS 4 Development Global, she has empowered 50,000+ African youth through digital education and climate innovation. A Youth4Climate Awardee and former Chair of the World Youth Assembly, Maryam serves on UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited Global Leadership Council, the EU Youth Advisory Board, and as African Regional Director of the Sigma Squared Society.

Lae Santiago

Lae is an education advocate and youth leader with experience in advancing inclusive, quality education across the Asia-Pacific region and globally. She leads advocacy, research, and capacity-building initiatives under SDG 4 and the 2030 Agenda, championing youth voices in policy spaces. Working with the Asia South Pacific Association for Basic and Adult Education (ASPBAE) Youth Core Team, she supports youth constituency building and Youth-Led Action Research, organising international campaigns and civil society engagements on education rights and youth empowerment. She also contributes to Civil Society Spotlight Reports on SDG 4, helping national education coalitions integrate youth perspectives into monitoring and reporting on education progress in the region.

Tatiana Cardona Alvarez

Tatiana is a Colombian educator and youth advocate with over nine years of experience in education, youth participation, and community empowerment across Latin America. With a background in Art Education, Social Sciences, and a Master’s in Education from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Cali, she is strongly grounded in inclusive, grassroots education. She has led cultural and education initiatives with Fe y Alegría Colombia and now coordinates the Youth Initiative of the International Federation of Fe y Alegría, supporting youth leadership across regions. Through roles with the Latin American Campaign for the Right to Education (CLADE) and GCE’s Youth Action Group, she advances the right to education and meaningful youth participation in policy and community change.

Innocent Sibanda

Innocent is a youth and education advocate with experience in advancing youth empowerment, inclusive education, and human rights, particularly for marginalised communities. He holds a Master’s in Public Policy and Governance. As Programs and Advocacy Lead at the Zimbabwe National Students Union, he drives campaigns for inclusive, equitable education while working across advocacy, research, policy analysis, training, and movement building with regional and global networks, including the Africa Network Campaign on Education for All (ANCEFA) and the Norwegian Agency for Exchange Cooperation (NOREC).

Rangani Lakmali

Rangani is a youth advocate and education professional in Sri Lanka, committed to advancing inclusive education and youth empowerment. She serves as Programme Coordinator and Youth Coordinator at the Coalition for Educational Development (CED) Sri Lanka, supporting national and regional efforts on the right to education. With a Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies from the University of Kelaniya and ongoing Master’s studies in Economics, she brings strong analytical and grassroots perspectives to her work. Her focus on youth engagement, education policy, and community development reflects her belief in the transformative power of knowledge and her commitment to youth leadership in education spaces across Sri Lanka.

Ahmid Chernor Jalloh

Ahmid is a development practitioner with experience working at the intersection of education, food security, and climate resilience. He is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Youth Action for Relentless Development Organisation – Sierra Leone, a youth-led NGO advancing inclusive, quality education, and youth leadership. He has led national and regional initiatives on education advocacy, digital learning, and research, including COVID-19 impact studies and the Youth Education Summit. A published author, his book Fatima: The Brave Little Girl addresses child marriage as a barrier to girls’ education, underscoring his commitment to gender equality and Sustainable Development Goal 4.

Israel Quirino

Israel is an education advocate from Brazil committed to advancing the right to education through youth participation, digital equity, and climate justice. He works as a Project Assistant at the Latin American Campaign for the Right to Education (CLADE), supporting regional efforts to promote inclusive and democratic public education. Currently pursuing a Master’s in Political Science at the Federal University of Minas Gerais, his research focuses on youth civic engagement and democratic participation. His work strengthens youth engagement in education advocacy, promotes critical use of digital technologies in learning, and integrates climate justice into education agendas, contributing to a public, inclusive, and emancipatory vision of education for all.

Abdul Rahim Bangura

Abdul is a youth advocate and accounting professional based in Freetown, Sierra Leone, committed to youth empowerment, child protection, and transparent financial governance. He holds a degree in Applied Accounting from the University of Sierra Leone and combines technical expertise with social impact. With extensive experience in youth-led leadership and advocacy, he promotes integrity, service, and collaboration among young people while underscoring the role of financial accountability in development. Through his professional and volunteer roles on child rights, education, and sustainable youth development, he works to build systems that empower young people and protect the most vulnerable.

Khouloud Al Harake

Khouloud is a Lebanese lawyer and youth advocate dedicated to social justice, environmental sustainability, and the right to education. She holds a Master’s degree in International Law: Law and Development Policies from Paris Descartes University, specialising in rights-based development and governance. Active in civil society and grassroots movements, she is involved with Dahiyati Tafroz, the Youth Group for the Arab Campaign for Education for All (ACEA), and the Youth and Unions and Legal Committees of the Popular Observatory (Marsad Shaabi). Her work focuses on strengthening youth participation, advancing environmental awareness, and promoting social responsibility through legal advocacy and community organising.

Rumbidzai Hlangabeza

Rumbidzai is a Zimbabwean student leader, feminist, and gender justice advocate serving as National Vice President of the Zimbabwe National Students Union, representing students across the country with a focus on marginalised communities and inclusive education. She champions women’s rights, mental health, and gender equality, has completed the PADA Platform’s 2023 Feminist Leadership Training, and serves as a rural board member under Transparency International in the Midlands province, promoting education access for rural women and girls. Through her work with the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, where she mentors high school girls on their rights and leadership, and with a certificate in Feminism from ActionAid, she drives grassroots efforts for justice, equality, and youth empowerment.

Amjad Joma

Amjad Juma is a Palestinian youth and social activist working at the intersection of education, youth empowerment, and climate justice. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a Diploma in Diplomacy and International Relations, combining analytical and advocacy skills to advance social change. An active education researcher focused on the state of education in Palestine, he serves on the board of the Sharek Youth Forum and is a member of the Arab Campaign for Education for All (ACEA) Youth Group, contributing to regional efforts for inclusive, rights-based education. He has represented Palestine in regional forums on environmental, climate, and education issues, advocating for youth-led solutions and empowering young people through education, training, and civic engagement as catalysts for sustainable development and social justice.

Michelle Chelsea Chitate

Michelle is a social worker and gender inclusion specialist in Zimbabwe, serving as Gender and Social Inclusion Officer at the Girls and Women Empowerment Network, where she supports programmes that uphold the rights, safety, and empowerment of adolescent girls and young women. Registered with the Zimbabwe Council of Social Work, she designs and implements gender-responsive, rights-based initiatives that expand opportunities for marginalised communities, with a focus on gender equality, children’s rights, and education access. Deeply committed to ensuring women and girls enjoy their full constitutional and human rights, she advocates for affordable, accessible education and the protection of children’s dignity and well-being.

Abideen Olasupo

Abideen Olasupo is a tri-sector leader and technology consultant working at the intersection of innovation, public policy, and sustainable development. He founded FactCheckAfrica and created MyAIFactChecker, an AI-powered platform that helps users verify information across Africa. With training from Harvard Business School and Lagos Business School, he co-founded the dHub Innovation Centre and has shared his research on the Sustainable Development Goals in over 100 countries. Abideen has represented Nigeria and Africa at global forums such as COP26 and the UN Anti-Corruption Forum and held leadership roles with Restless Development, CIVICUS, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as a One Young World Ambassador, advancing inclusive, tech-driven solutions for global impact.

Halimat Olufade

Halimat Olufade is a development strategist who helps nonprofits turn action into lasting, measurable impact. As Programme Director and Systems Lead at the Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative, she leads programmes on civic engagement, education, digital rights, and gender-based violence prevention. She has worked with partners including the US Embassy, UNDP, USAID, the Ford Foundation, and the European Union, blending storytelling, digital innovation, and strategic design to drive social change. Beyond BBYDI, she advises NGOs across the Global South on governance and digital systems, with a growing focus on AI, nonprofit sustainability, and civic engagement to build inclusive, tech-enabled solutions for marginalised communities.

Carelle Kaze

Carelle is a public health professional and youth advocate advancing education, gender equality, and youth empowerment across Africa. With a Master’s in Public Health and a BSc in Nursing, she bridges healthcare and education as a Teacher and Class Coordinator at INSOLAFRICA and a volunteer with the Cameroon Education For All Network. She is Executive Director of Brain Builders Youth for Development Initiative – Cameroon, leading work on youth leadership, good governance, and gender-responsive development. Carelle also represents young people regionally and globally through roles with the Africa Network Campaign on Education for All, the NGO–UNESCO Liaison Committee Youth Working Group, and as a Peer Educator Trainer with the Society for Women and AIDS in Africa, focusing on sexuality education and gender-based violence prevention.

Youth- and student-led organisations can join GCE as members or through national coalitions, connecting with a global network of activists committed to the right to education. Through global campaigns, the Learning Hub, youth funding mechanisms and cross-regional exchanges, GCE creates spaces for young people to organise, learn from each other and drive collective action for free, inclusive, quality public education for all.