Reflections as a Youth Climate Leader: My Journey at the Climate Justice Camp 2024 in Tanzania I joined the Climate Justice Camp 2024, held from October 8th to 12th in Tanzania. This incredible gathering brought together young climate activists from around the worldto brainstorm innovative strategies to tackle climate crisis and create…
Fighting Corporate Impunity at the UN Business and Human Rights Forum 2024 The world is waking up to the brutal truth: corporations, left unchecked, can and do violate human rights on a massive scale. From exploitative labor in plantations to environmental destruction in indigenous lands, the corporate machinery often steamrolls over people…
Mindanao, Philippines is a vibrant land of cultures and traditions, each adding richness to our shared lives. In Iligan, Lanao Del Norte—the city I proudly call home—I’ve come to appreciate the beauty of community and diversity. Here, coexistence among Christians, Muslims, and Indigenous Peoples reflects a deep respect for our cultural and…
Empowering LGBT+ Inclusive Education in Vietnam: A Grassroots Approach to Systemic Change After college graduation, I joined Oxfam Young Leaders Fellowship, reinforcing my decade-long commitment to LGBT-inclusive education. My goal is to establish Bon Bon as a leading social enterprise that provides educational tools on gender inclusivity and justice, addressing the challenges…
Straight Out of Zogam? On August 25th, I made the decision to fly back to my hometown, Lamka. The reality struck me that I could no longer take the usual route to the state airport due to the ethnic violence that has persisted since May 3rd, 2023. What was once a straightforward…
Why State-Owned Companies Should Be the Spearhead of Mainstreaming Human Rights Due Diligence in Indonesia Referring to the 4th principle on the UNGPs stated in the State Business Nexus that Human Rights Due Diligence needs to be done for companies owned or controlled by the state, or which receive substantial support and…
Back in middle school, I began my coding journey with a C program, but the catch was, I coded on paper. I started coding in notebooks even before I owned a computer. I completed my first notable project—an IoT device to make life easier for my farmer parents, automating water taps based…
In 2023, the glaring absence of the HPV vaccine in India's National Immunization Program stands not just as a mere oversight but as a monumental failure—a testament to the colossal disregard for women's health in our supposedly progressive nation. It's more than a lack of awareness; it's a systemic neglect, a cultural blindfold…
In 2023, we marked significant anniversaries: the 61st anniversary of Rachel Carson's groundbreaking book Silent Spring, which is attributed to starting the global environmental movement; the 51st anniversary of the Stockholm Conference, the first-ever UN conference dedicated to environmental issues; and the 31st anniversary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate…
Given the intergenerational nature of climate change, many of us might not be around to experience the brunt of its impacts, while today's young generation will be fighting extreme climate events, both in terms of increased frequency and intensity. Global youth movements have historically enabled each society to accomplish meaningful social, economic…