Adolescent and Young People Action Board - UNICEF Latin America and the Caribbean

Hello! I'm Agustina, from Uruguay. Something that challenges me and that occupies a large part of my days is my career: I am studying for a Doctorate in Medicine at the University of the Republic (UDELAR), which means that I spend half of my time seeing patients and studying diseases, and the other half asking myself: how is it that we endorse as a society, through propaganda and legislation, such toxic habits? Why is the enormous vulnerability in which so many people live not discussed more? Why is prevention not taken as a guiding principle of public policies? To break down the causes of the deadliest diseases is to realize that the necessary change is not within the pharmaceutical industry, but in the cultural and economic realities of populations, and that the focus must be on childhood and adolescence. This is a topic that I am passionate about discussing, thinking about and listening to.

Hello, I'm Fiorella. I live with my mom and my younger siblings. They affectionately call me Fio. I like sports, I practice fencing, I also like to dance, draw and talk. I am learning about my interests in activism, but I know that I like to fight for the rights of children and adolescents with disabilities. I am very interested in the issue of equality and I would like to know more about what we can do to improve this.

Hi, I'm Aliz, a young Ecuadorian woman and the first woman in my family to attend college. I am currently studying two careers and I am passionate about science, robotics and activism. I work for female empowerment in STEAM and fight for a fairer future through technology and education. 

Hi, I'm Aninha, I'm 17 years old and I'm from Brazil. I am currently studying at the Federal Institute and am part of the Youth Advisory Council of UNICEF Brazil. I also actively participate in centres such as NEABI (Center of Afro-Brazilian and Indigenous Studies) and NUCA (Center of Citizenship of Adolescents). I am passionate about issues such as climate change, children's rights and youth participation in building a more just and sustainable future. 

Hello, I'm Ana, from Peru. For several years I have been fighting for a more just, inclusive and feminist society. I am passionate about working with adolescents and young people from art, education and political advocacy. I am interested in issues such as gender equality, comprehensive sexual education and social justice. 

Hello, I'm Valentina, I'm 22 years old and I'm Bolivian. I am committed to youth engagement, mental health and inclusion. I am passionate about creating spaces where the voices of adolescents and young people are not only heard, but also drive real change in their communities. I enjoy working in a team, generating a positive impact and constantly learning from diversity. 

Hello, I'm Dandara, I live in Uruguay. I have always been interested in giving my opinion and being informed about social issues, in addition to the fact that it is essential for me that the voices of adolescents and young people are heard. That is why I highly value the spaces for exchange that are created for and with my friends or colleagues in my school. My topics of interest are health (specifically mental health), education and poverty. 

I'm Danna and I live in the city of Pasto (in Colombia). From a very young age I have liked singing, dancing, supporting people who need it most and serving in my community and in the parish. I am interested in everything related to mental health, gender equality, social service, psychology and forensic medicine. 

Hello! I'm Fer, from Guanajuato, Mexico. Since I was a child, I have been interested in climate change and the importance of all people, regardless of their age, having the same opportunities and respecting our rights. For this reason, I want to promote that the voices of children, adolescents and young people are heard and taken into account. 

Hi, I'm Erika! From a young age, I recognised that defending human rights is a shared responsibility between communities, families, the state and the young people who choose to speak out. I belive that equality and the defence of human rights are part of who I am, and I will fight for them as long as I can! 

Hi, my name is Alex and I’m from Guyana. I am passionate when it comes to child rights, advocacy, climate, change, and sustainability. I find it important that youth voices are included when making discussions about the future because as we know, they are our future and without their input, it’s like silencing them.   

Hi! My name is Francina and I live in Argentina. I work every day with the conviction that we can improve social, environmental and gender justice. I believe in our collective power to achieve this. 

Hello, I'm Gabriel, from Guatemala. I am a right-holder and defender of the rights of children and adolescents, and I fight for the voices of children who have been silenced, abused and marginalized. The topics that interest me are: human rights education based on the Convention on the Rights of the Child, culture of peace, empowerment and leadership, violence prevention, political advocacy and climate change. 

I'm Helen, I grew up in a city in the Ecuadorian Andes. I am passionate about sharing time with my friends and family, playing chess, exploring art and discovering new landscapes. I find in painting a form of personal expression that reflects my vision of the world. My interests focus on how climate change, migration and gender issues are intertwined and have significant effects. 

Hi, I'm Ismael, from Panama. I am passionate about learning and raising my voice in favour of the rights of children and adolescents. The topics that interest me are: human rights advocacy and adolescent participation. 

I’m a passionate and driven young legal scholar with a strong commitment to social justice and international development. Through my work with UNICEF and U-Report Barbados, I advocate for youth participation and engagement, using my leadership to amplify young voices and drive meaningful change in my community and beyond. 

I am a young person who turned the pain of displacement into strength to support others. From Venezuela to Ecuador, my fight has been for the dignity, voice, and rights of those who, like me, are seeking a new beginning. I believe in empathy, in the power of truly listening to one another and in the strength that emerges when we feel part of something greater. In Ecuador, I have supported hundreds of people on the move to regularize their status without having to pay. I am attentive, collaborative and passionate about communication; I believe in the power of words to transform realities. I work in teams because I know that alone we go fast, but together we go further. What drives me is guiding, supporting and leading with empathy, firmly believing that every voice deserves to be heard and every story, respected. I left my country at 17, but I never stopped fighting for what I believe in. 

Hi, I'm Aron, from Bolivia. Since I was a child I have liked activism and, over time, I developed a great interest in volunteering, as it allows me to help people in need. I also understand and want the opinions of all my peers, friends and children and adolescents in Bolivia to be heard and understood. The topics that interest me the most are children's rights, skills development, quality education, mental health and the environment. 

Hello! I am Martu, a compulsive communicator and quiet listener. Since I realized that there were stories that deserved to be told, topics that needed to be addressed and young voices that wanted to change the world, I have been learning in different spaces alongside other young people. I am passionate about memory and human rights, quality education and freedom of expression. 

Those of us who are privileged and can raise our voices, must take advantage and do so, always looking at our peers who may be in a situation full of limitations and shortcomings, where they can neither look after themselves nor their rights. We must seek to guarantee them health, education, security, a safer home and environment, as well as ensure gender equality. I care a lot about education because I feel that it is the tool that can change the world. 

Hello, ny name is Joel, and I am an 18-year-old Jamaican with a strong interest in law and media. I believe these fields are powerful tools for creating meaningful change, particularly in advocating for others in our society. I look forward to contributing my service in a purposeful and impactful way.

Hi, I'm Natalia from Costa Rica. Becoming a teenage mother has exposed me to many challenges, but it has also created opportunities. It has opened my eyes and made me realise that, as a young person, I must speak out about issues that concern me and strive to create positive change within my community. My goal now is to support all those mothers and girls who live in fear and do not have a safe and healthy environment. 

What if the smallest voices could create the biggest impact? I'm Nianna, originally from Guyana and based in Montserrat. I am dedicated to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals and empowering marginalized voices. Even the most neglected communities deserve a platform – and I'm committed to making that a reality. 

Hello everyone, I’m Oscar from Amazonas, Venezuela. It’s very easy to stand out — you just need a little push to ignite the latent flame within you and start to thrive. I enjoy leading and supporting others, especially helping my friends and those around me realize their skills and talents. The topics that excite me the most are psychology and climate change. 

Hi, I’m Ree from Jamaica. From as early as I can remember, I have always been passionate about solving injustices and making right the many things wrong in this world, particularly as it pertains to the life and upbringing of the average Jamaican child. However, for years I struggled to hone my skills and find my voice - in advocating for others as well as myself. I stand here today as a driven youth advocate particularly focused on child justice, mental health, education and food policy. I am committed to making an impact in any way I can - one small step at a time, one child at a time. 

Greetings! I am Richard, a son of the beautiful nation of Belize. Youth engagement and involvement has always been a passion of mine, and I am pleased by the thought of educating fellow students and learning from them! I believe that knowledge is power and that sharing knowledge amongst each other is that only way to progress as a society. The topics I am interested in (but not limited to are) children and adolescent rights, environment and climate change as well as mental health. I resonate with these topics deeply and I believe that through education and advocacy we will be able to combat such issues. 

Hello, my name is Richardo. I am originally from Dominica and currently reside in Antigua. I am deeply passionate about youth development and the power of young people working collaboratively to create a more inclusive and equitable society. My key areas of interest include mental health and the prevention of violence against children. 

I am Samantha, a 23-year-old Peruvian woman, committed to being part of change through actions built with, for and by our diverse communities. I trained as a professional in Public Health and Global Health, and currently, I continue on my path of learning and action as part of The Millennials Movement team. 

Greetings, I'm Keith. And for as long as I can recall, I always saw my purpose in life being to use my energies and skills to foster change through learning and educating. So, it's no surprise that my career is in education, and I dive in for any opportunity that allows me to be in a position to speak with youths, hear their ideas, foster critical thinking and challenge their biases and convictions in a healthy way. Additionally, I am a strong advocate for positive models of masculinity, gender equality, tolerance and social cohesion at large. And lastly, in all that I do and aspire to do, I actively strive to be grateful along the way and ground myself in my faith. I firmly believe that the human experience is one that is only fulfilling when we selflessly serve one another for our collective good. 

Hello! My name is Sofia, I am from Chile and for as long as I can remember I have liked to change the way I see things. I am passionate about getting involved in spaces where changes can be made and improved more and more, always with a view from respect and mutual attention. One of these is participation and active listening to young people. In addition to all this, I am a STEM lover and I want to help eliminate more gaps that make it difficult for us to access what we like. 

My name is Thaís Pitaguary, I am indigenous, I love all my culture and I have fought since I was born for the rights of indigenous children and adolescents. I am a climate activist and I am dedicated to the demarcation of indigenous territories. 

I'm Vanessa, an Afro girl who dared to be brave when the world screamed at her that she was just a girl with unimportant opinions, so I fought to create spaces where this would change. A phrase that I carry with me "nothing for us without us." 

I’m Victoria, 17, from Belize. I am passionate about advocacy, youth empowerment, and creating spaces where young people can share their voices and be heard. My goal is to continue using my voice and creativity to inspire change, represent my peers, and help build a brighter future for young people in Belize and beyond.   

Hello, I'm Violeta, I'm a 17-year-old Chilean. For as long as I can remember, I've been a very sensitive person. When I began to notice those things that caused me discomfort or bewilderment, it generated anger, which I disliked because I am very cheerful. Above all, I was angry that some women could not have their basic rights and were discriminated against.  I was always angry but I learned to turn this into motivation, passion and strength to fight to improve those things that made me angry.  I always wanted to do something about it, and now I realize that through small actions I managed to help. Today, at 17 years old, I have even more projects than when I was a young child. I am part of the "Tremendas" foundation, an organization of girls and young women for girls and young women. I have participated in different instances of protection for girls and young women, I am an ambassador of "Girl rising," among other instances and activities that I have carried out. All of this means a lot to me, and my story as a young woman.

Hi, I’m Natalia from Jamaica. I’m very passionate about advocacy and empowering fellow youth. My interests are primarily rooted in health and wellness, substance use prevention, child/youth rights, and social issues.