We’ve learned so many skills from the Global Youth Ambassador programme

Last year we welcomed more than 1,000 young people to our Global Youth Ambassador programme. They are a diverse group united in their passion to end the global education crisis.

Bobby Zipp, a GYA from the U.S., says that “being a part Theirworld as a GYA has given me the resources and support to push for advocacy in ways that I didn’t think were possible before”. Focusing their advocacy in support of refugees and asylum seekers, Bobby was able to connect the knowledge they took from the GYA programme to the activities that they support outside of it.

Similarly, Charles Falajiki from Nigeria took full advantage of our online tool, The Key – Theirworld’s comprehensive information toolkit that can help GYAs to “Copy, Paste, Advocate” as they make the case for education. He says: “One major challenge young people face is lack of access to information and the capacity to drive advocacy effectively. By adopting the detailed evidence and research-based information contained in the online resource, I have been able to make a case for education, leveraging social media advocacy and sending letters to decision makers in Nigeria.”

Bobby Zipp (bottom right) and Charles Falajiki (centre right) on a call with other GYAs involved in Project Amplify.

In addition to the latest reports and news from the education world, GYAs also have access to bespoke training to develop their education advocacy and campaigning skills. The ten modules that make up the training toolkit range from identifying the change you want to see and communicating your message to network building and accountability. The toolkit is designed to support GYAs create strategies informed and driven by the needs of those most in need of support and can be delivered with success locallyas well as understanding how to influence policy at the global level.

Sylvester Shakpande, a GYA from Nigeria, is a social impact leader passionate about sustainable development, social activism and volunteerism. He says that the training toolkit has “enabled me to improve on my communication and networking skills in supporting social impact in my community, especially in education”.

For GYA Madhu Chauhan from India, the training toolkit allowed her to see education activism from a different perspective. Having spent years working with grassroot initiatives, she was inspired her to expand her scope of advocacy and move into research. “I want to make statements that are backed by evidence and take my advocacy ahead. That was something that I realised when I was reading one or two modules in the toolkit. It helped me think that if I am supposed to bring in a change, I have to drive the change. I want to create an impact on a bigger level and that’s something that I took away from the toolkit”.

GYAs can also access a wide variety of opportunities for all abilities and levels of confidence. From joining awareness raising campaigns to participating in high-level summits, GYAs get to advocate for education in different ways.

Kashvi Chandok, a GYA from India, was invited to participate in an Instagram live event for International Women’s Day. The event was hosted by best-selling author and journalist Lorraine Candy, and Kashvi joined the panel alongside Theirworld Chair Sarah Brown and Yasmine Sherif, Director of Education Cannot Wait. “A lot of the GYAs reached out to me post the live event and it’s so wonderful to be a part of the community that fosters a spirit of collective growth,” says Kashvi.

At the heart of the Global Youth Ambassador programme is community. This vibrant network is a vital sharing and learning space between peers. It provides the opportunity to collaborate, share experiences and inspire one another.

As part of our virtual events schedule, we run regular networking sessions bringing GYAs together to meet and learn from each other. Tatenda Tavingeyi, a GYA from South Africa, said “it was lovely to interact with fellow ambassadors – it created a sense of belonging”.

Agrani Handunge from Sri Lanka says: “Being a Global Youth Ambassador with Theirworld has connected me to a lot of opportunities. It has been an immense experience working with my co-ambassadors and sharing our experience on projects we care about. More than that it has given us an international platform to make the change we wish to see in this world.”

2022 recruitment is now open! We are excited to welcome the next inspiring 1,000 young people to this network, who are ready to unlock big change for global education.