Five Young Changemakers Honoured at Young Activists Summit 2025 in Geneva

Five Young Changemakers Honoured at Young Activists Summit 2025 in Geneva

Geneva, 20 November 2025 — The 2025 Young Activists Summit celebrated five exceptional young leaders at the United Nations in Geneva, recognising their innovative use of technology for social good. Nearly 1,000 people attended the event in person, with participants from more than 120 countries joining online. This year’s gathering took place in the newly renovated Assembly Hall of the Palais des Nations under the theme “From Hashtag to Action.”

UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications Melissa Fleming praised the honourees, calling them “changemakers our troubled world so desperately needs.” She noted that each of them has gone beyond online advocacy to build tangible solutions for their communities.

The theme underscored how young activists are leveraging digital tools to mobilise action, confront online harm, and ensure that technology uplifts rather than excludes. The laureates, all between 17 and 27, were recognised for their work across climate action, healthcare access, digital literacy, and civic engagement.

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The 2025 Laureates

Aminata Savané, 25, Côte d’Ivoire – Digital Inclusion & Safety
“My message to all young people… is to embrace digital technology efficiently and ethically,” she said while receiving her award.

Dev Karan, 17, India – Water Conservation Through Low-Cost Tech Solutions
“Loneliness would sometimes come with activism,” he reflected. “Discovering others had felt the same was reassuring.”

Marina El Khawand, 24, Lebanon – Digital Innovation for Accessible Healthcare
“Knowing we’re not alone in this fight makes the difference,” she said.

Salvino Oliveira, 27, Brazil – Favela Youth Education & Access to Technology
“How many Mozarts or Beethovens are in the favelas, just waiting for a chance?” he asked, urging greater investment in young talent.

Rena Kawasaki, 20, Japan – Youth Participation & Digital Civic Engagement
“I don’t think I’m somebody special… if I could do it, you can too,” she told the audience.

A Global Stage for Young Voices

The Summit was moderated by Melati Wijsen, founder of Bye Bye Plastic Bags and YOUTHTOPIA. Contributions came from senior UN officials and international leaders, including Melissa Fleming; Tatiana Valovaya, Director-General of the UN Office at Geneva; Nathalie Fontanet, President of Geneva’s State Council; Geneva Mayor Alfonso Gomez; EU Ambassador to the UN; and French writer and filmmaker Cyril Dion.

Dion highlighted the transformative power of stories: “How can we inspire thousands if we can’t imagine it ourselves? What you’re doing here is showing that it is possible.”

About the Summit

The Young Activists Summit is organised annually by the United Nations Office at Geneva, NGO dev.tv, Radio Télévision Suisse (RTS), and the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies. It aims to spotlight young leaders who are transforming digital influence into lasting real-world action.