“Hello all, my name is Koko Sanginga and I am honoured to be considered for the 2026 Global Delegate. I am an international student from the Democratic Republic of Congo although I have lived in Uganda, Kenya, Cote d’Ivoire, the Kingdom of eSwatini, and now Canada. I have been deeply involved in human rights and community work throughout my life from neighbourhood action to protests to lobbying for institutional change. Each country listed has made international news headlines in the past year regarding their human rights practices, and this is something I keep at the forefront of my mind.
I first got involved with Amnesty in high school, where I participated in weekly discussions surrounding the organizations main action areas; we contemplated the death penalty, women’s rights and environment justice amongst many others. At the same time, I lead a student initiative aimed at platforming marginalized voices and addressing their needs, with a focus on women and gender minorities. This was against a backdrop of rising gender-based violence (GBV) in the region. In this role, I collaborated with various international and local organizations to develop community awareness raising events including establishing the first Men’s Week observance centering men’s mental health and their role in fighting the GBV crisis our community was facing. Additionally, to better address this crisis, I outlined an age-specific comprehensive sexual education program as research proves that education has the most tangible impact on reducing the prevalence of violence in a community. Lastly, I participated in the development of the United World College Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (UWC ARDEI) committee.
Since leaving high school, I have been involved in various student-led initiative through my university, particularly those address Black students and women, or Black women specifically. Earlier this year, I was responsible for curating an Art Wall to represent the interests of Black students to our larger community. I have also been involved in my university’s Amnesty chapter. Initially as the senior editor, tasked with creating and maintaining our website and blog. Recently, however, I have served as the president where I have focused on engaging the student body and local community in global human rights affairs. We hosted a successful and interactive Write for Rights campaign, incorporating student performances and testimonies alongside our letter writing and petition signing. Additionally, I currently sit on the National Youth Action and Advisory Committee (NYAAC) where we guide AICES’s work with young people and implement the Youth, Power, Action! National Youth Strategy through partnerships across all departments. This has been immensely fulfilling work, navigating the various ways in which Amnesty Canada can center youth voices and incorporate youth perspectives in the work we do. This is work I hope to continue at a global level as your Global delegate.
My guiding principle has been the question, “If not now, when? And if not us, who?” Many things take time, but the effort starts now. I do not believe the youth are the leaders of tomorrow. Rather, we have the potential, the tools, and, most importantly, the will to lead now. I believe the combination of my qualifications, my personal interests and background make me an excellent candidate for this role. There is so much work to be done at local and regional levels. These concerns that plague our communities, however, tend to be reflections of global issues. Addressing one level inherently impacts the other. I trust that I am able to make meaningful contributions to our global assembly that will be felt at every level and I hope that you consider me for the position of Global delegate.”
