Youth Programs

YOUTH PROGRAMS & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Amnesty International Canada offers many youth programs for people aged 25 and under to get involved and make a difference in the world. We have approximately 1,500 young people active in our programs across Canada. We have 30 youth leaders in our National Organizers Program and the National Youth Action and Advisory Committee. We support more than 150 Amnesty chapters in schools and on campuses nationwide.

Student activists have always been on the frontlines of human rights movements. From standing in front of tanks in Tiananmen Square to petitioning governments to abolish the death penalty, young people are there.

Join an Amnesty Youth Leadership Program today. Gain valuable leadership experience and take action on the human rights issues that are most important to you.

“I see my generation working hard to fight for social justice. We bring our interests, passions, and knowledge and work together. I believe that we can make positive changes.”

Rojina Haji-Mahmoozadeh

Youth Activist

YOUTH! POWER! ACTION! Check out the new National Youth Strategy.

The National Youth Strategy sets the direction for Amnesty International Canada (English)’s work for, by, and with young people. It will be delivered by people from all generations, with children and young people in the driving seat.

Meet two of Amnesty International Canada’s youth representatives, Aarya and Samaaya Gupta, at our Annual General Meeting in Ottawa from June 16-18, 2023.

To learn more about our youth programs, drop us a line at youth@amnesty.ca. You can also check out some of our youth programs and activism resources below.

Youth Leadership Programs

Are you looking for a youth leadership program within Amnesty International in Canada? Gain valuable leadership experience and make a difference by joining a Youth Leadership Program.

National Organizers Program

Join the National Organizers Program to take on a leadership role with Amnesty Canada and learn more about human rights.

Youth & Student Activist Groups

Set up an Amnesty Club at your school. Youth and student groups are found at all levels nationwide. We provide the tools and supports to get you started. It’s easy!

National Youth Action & Advisory Committee

A national group that leads youth mobilization and advises Amnesty International Canada’s members, leaders, and staff.

The harmful effects of fossil-fuel emissions are deepening at an alarming rate. This is because our governments are not transitioning our economies away from a dependence on fossil fuels fast enough. While in many parts of the world renewable energy investment has increased, fossil fuel use is not decreasing because total energy use keeps increasing.

Our governments – especially those in high income, high emitting countries – need to focus on transitioning away from fossil fuels and towards more sustainable, just energy solutions and on helping lower income countries to do so too.

BECOME AN AMNESTY MEMBER

At Amnesty International Canada, youth comprise the largest portion of our membership, which means that the work you do in your school and community is central to our success.

Joining Amnesty International Canada is FREE for youth! As a youth member, we’ll keep you in the loop on the most pressing global human rights issues. Amnesty’s latest actions, online petitions, contests, and campaigns will start with you. And you’ll be invited to join our Annual General Meeting.

Take on a leadership role in Amnesty Canada and learn more about human rights. Sign up to be a youth organizer.

Organizers are activist leaders with AICS(ES) who are excited to take action on human rights issues in creative and critical ways in their community.

AICS(ES) is committed to having youth perspectives at the centre of all its human rights work and we encourage youth from across the country to apply. The Organizer position is an excellent opportunity for young people to take on a leadership role within AICS(ES), to learn about issues that matter to them and what they can do to make a difference.

Photo: Youth activists from Amnesty International The Netherlands Section at the Canal Parade. Photo by Pierre Crom/Amnesty International

“The program is a unique one which has shown me that I can make a difference both locally and abroad, regardless of my age or any other factors. It has also taught me the power of collective activism.”

Anisa Jama

National Youth Organizer

Youth Activism Resources

Here are some essential tools, resources and training materials to support your organizing, campaigning and activism.

Youth Group Startup Kit

To learn more about starting a group at your school or university, drop us a line at youth@amnesty.ca. In the meantime, check out some of our resources and handouts for youth groups below or download them all as PDFs in a compressed (zipped) folder.

All About Amnesty
Building a Great Team
- How to: Make Your Group Last
- How to: Make Your Group Work
Take Actions!

Your Network

The first thing your group will probably be wondering is: where do we begin? There are so many ways for you to contribute to Amnesty International, so let’s start planning!

Plan Your Year

Start with a Basic Framework
- What worked well last year? What didn’t?
- Pick some key activities you’d like to do over the year and advertise it at your first meeting.
Find Out About This Year’s Campaigns
- Check your September mailing or visit the Amnesty Canada website for a list
- Outline the major actions and events happening this year and the materials available for them.
Find Out What Your Group is Interested in
- Are there certain upcoming actions or events that really excite members of your group?
- Are there certain days that your group feels are important to mark (eg. International Human Rights Day of December 10th or International Women’s Day on March 8th? Visit the United Nations website for a list of international days they observe.
Collaborate Ideas to Build a Plan
- What are the interests, abilities, and talents of the people joining your group?
- Brainstorm ideas for your group’s work and priorities
- Narrow down these ideas to match the interest, abilities, and talents you have
- Assign roles and tasks and set realistic timelines and workloads. Make sure people can say that they have too much on their plate without feeling guilty.
Map it Out
- Draft a plan for your group’s activities and mark it on a calendar to see how they fit
- Don’t forget to include the dates of exams, holidays, and other busy times
- Narrow down these ideas to match the interest, abilities, and talents you have

Organize Events

Now that you know which campaigns and actions your group wants to work on, it’s time to think about the events and activities you will host in your community/school. Make a checklist to track the following:

The campaign or issue your group will be focusing on for this event (for example, the No More Stolen Sister campaign)
The date your group has decided on for the event as well as any dates you will need to meet and plan the activity together
The goals of the activity: is the main point of this to raise money, collect signatures, raise awareness, or a combination?
Ideas for activities: what will your participants do? How will you make it exciting? What will make people want to attend?
Key steps for the activity: make a timeline! Set deadlines for your preparations so that everything runs smoothly and on schedule
Your priority activities: what do you need to do before your event? This may involve bookings, submitting permission forms, publicity, contacting individuals or businesses, and more
Person(s) responsible: who will be in charge of volunteer recruitment, booking the venue, marketing, and so on?
Materials required: what will you need to make the event happen? Think about the supplies you will need to buy, stuff you have to make (eg. banners or signs), or other essentials (eg. audiovisual equipment)
Don’t forget to take notes and evaluate so that you can make your next event an even greater success!

Letter Writing

Amnesty is known for launching highly effective letter-writing campaigns all over the world. Here are a few tips to help you perfect your style.

Give the Facts
Use as much information as possible (dates, places, names. Also, cite the article from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) or other convention that has been violated.
Follow Amnesty Guidelines
Our letter-writing actions give recommendations or requests – follow these exactly! Don’t ask for things that are not included.
Be Brief
Keep it simple Don’t write more than one page.
Be Courteous and Respectful
The key to success is to remain impartial. Avoid reference to religious beliefs or political ideologies and refer to the UDHR or other international documents instead.
Make it Personal
Write in your own words and give an idea of who you are (i.e. high school or university student) to indicate that your letter is genuine. If you are talking about a specific person, highlight their name.
Watch Your Language
Write in the language you feel most comfortable speaking – even if you’re writing to a country where English is not an official language, it may be better than writing in a language that may contain mistakes.

Tabling

To participate in “tabling” is to set up a table covered with information and eye-catching displays for passionate activist (that’s you!) to raise awareness of Amnesty International, its campaigns, and your group’s work with human rights. Use this activity to educate people at public events or to recruit new members for your group!

Make Sure You Have…

The table/tabling area – don’t forget to confirm that the space you’re setting up in has been reserved for your group
Banners – aim for simple, clear messages that are positive and easily read from a distance, and remember that duct tape can be useful in a crisis
General and campaign information – have some general information about Amnesty’s work on hand, such as pamphlets for you to display
Information about your group – what events will your group be doing? Do you have social media? How can you be contacted?
Action opportunities – have a simple action, such as a petition or postcard, for people to do as they pass by
Donation jar – include a note explaining how donations are used for human rights work
Conversation space – some people may want to ask for more information or engage in a debate, so try to provide a space beside your table
Tabling skills – make sure that the people behind the table feel enthusiastic, outgoing, and comfortable. Body language is important!

There are countless opportunities for you to get involved with Amnesty International. Our Activism Guide is your resource for the latest campaigns and actions.

The Activism Guide is a living resource and so we encourage you to bookmark this page and check back for recent updates and new materials and resources.

Guide to Staying Resilient

Fighting for the world to be a better place, together with others who have the same dreams, can be lots of fun! At the same time, it can have an impact on your well-being.

Sometimes this happens because you are exposed to human rights violations. Sometimes this happens because you have to combine activism with school or work. Sometimes this happens because as a youth activist you are faced with ageism. There can be lots of reasons.

Fighting for a just world is not something you need to do alone – it’s a fight we can do together! When we care for each other, we can sustain our activism and balance it with our happiness. “Staying Resilient While Trying to Save the World” is a well-being workbook for youth activists. We hope this resource will support your journey to strengthen your self-care. And also help us all look after each other as we stand up for human rights.

Download a PDF copy of the well-being workbook below.

Meet our National Organizers

Amnesty International Canada’s National Organizers are passionate individuals who have dedicated themselves to the cause of human rights, and using their skills and determination to make a lasting impact. Meet a few of our passionate National Organizers below.

The Matchstick

The Matchstick is Amnesty International’s Canada’s arts and human rights magazine, produced and designed by our National Organizers.

View recent back issues:

Youth Activism

Related Work

Human Rights Education, Human Rights News, Urgent Actions, Youth Activism

Amnesty International Canada – National Youth Strategy Consultation – Join in the Conversation!

February 14, 2023

“Every single person I have met through Amnesty has inspired me in some way – from my fellow youth organizers, to my high school teachers… What inspires me even more is seeing the progress we are making!”

Avreet Jagdev

National Youth Organizer

NATIONAL YOUTH ACTION & ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The National Youth Action and Advisory Committee (NYAAC) is a national youth program that leads youth mobilization. It also advises Amnesty International Canada’s members, leaders and staff on youth participation in various aspects of human rights work, including governance, campaigns and activism.

Members of NYAAC are happy to respond to questions about their work with Amnesty International Canada. Please get in touch with NYAAC at nyaac@amnesty.ca.

Haris Ahmad

Co-Chair

Haris Ahmad is a passionate human rights advocate dedicated to youth empowerment and lasting social change. With a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Calgary, he is now pursuing a Master of Public Policy, focusing on refugee, climate, and health policy.

Haris’ activism journey began in high school, where he co-founded an Amnesty club, sparking a lifelong commitment. He served as president of his university’s Amnesty chapter, leading impactful campaigns, including Write for Rights and letter-writing initiatives. As part of the committee, he previously acted as a board liaison coordinating national events to elevate youth voices. Haris also helped launch the National Youth Strategy, guiding Amnesty’s youth-focused work and is co-chair for his community group.

Beyond Amnesty, Haris co-founded a nonprofit in Calgary to provide free tutoring and mentorship for underserved youth and supports food security through the Zero Food Waste Foundation. He continues to amplify youth and marginalized voices through Amnesty Canada’s National Youth Advisory and Action Committee.

Shriya Shah

Co-Chair

Shriya Shah, serving her second-term as Co-Chair, is a senior at the University of Pennsylvania in the Huntsman Dual Degree Program, combining International Studies and Business while pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Human Rights from Penn Law.

Her research and advocacy focus on the intersection of human rights with emerging technologies, accessibility, and youth empowerment. Through her comparative disability legal research at Penn Law and her Wharton Honors Thesis examining Generative AI patenting strategies, she works to ensure technological advancement serves human rights objectives.

Shriya’s commitment to human rights extends to field research, including her fellowship travelling to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories to investigate human rights dimensions of the conflict. She has also shared her insights through various platforms, including delivering a TEDx talk exploring the concept of the Privilege of Movement.

Koko Sanginga

Internal Communications Officer

As a Congolese international student Koko Sanginga is dedicated to advocating for underprivileged and underserved populations around the world. She is currently pursuing a degree in Sociology and Political Science at McMaster on the traditional territories of the Mississauga and Haudenosaunee nations. She serves as the president of Amnesty International’s McMaster chapter, finding unique and innovative ways to engage the community in human rights activism. Koko first became involved with Amnesty at her high school in the Kingdom of eSwatini and contributed to many other social justice and human rights initiatives.

Since then, she continues to be involved in her communities, at home and abroad, in person and online. By combining her activism with her creative pursuits, Koko hopes to demonstrate that we can all be involved and support each other using the tools we already have. In this role, Koko aims to create an accessible, inclusive environment within Amnesty for all youth to find safe spaces within activism spheres.

Linnea Nguyen

Strategy & Global Partnerships Officer

Linnea Nguyen is a third-year student at McGill University pursuing a double major in Political Science and Sociology. She finds learning exchanges and global opportunities for the youth committee, and is spearheading the implementation of Amnesty’s National Youth Strategy. Involved with Amnesty since 2020, Linnea led and managed successful youth mobilization campaigns as a National Organizer. She has participated in takeovers of official Amnesty Canada social media accounts and published articles on issues central to young activists.

Linnea is also a U-Report Ambassador for UNICEF Canada and a UNESCO Global Youth Community member. Her leadership reflects a passion for youth empowerment and inclusion in processes that are missing their essential input. She delivered a TEDx talk in February 2024 on youth global citizenship.

Akanksha

Youth Engagement Officer

Akanksha is currently a fourth year student at McMaster University. She is studying Justice Political Philosophy and the law with a minor in French and Sociology. She first got involved with Amnesty at 16 years old when she went to the Toronto Human Rights College. After that she co-founded her high school’s Amnesty club and began working as a national organizer. Akanksha first started her advocacy journey through the RCMP national youth advisory committee when she was 13 and then went on to raise awareness on children rights inn Canada. Outside of school she likes to read, and go on walks.

Rajaa Berry

Youth Engagement Officer

Rajaa Berry is a climate advocate with over six years of experience in climate finance, policy, and youth-led initiatives. As an Eco Action Accelerator grantee, she led a national campaign focused on green financing to support Canada’s 30×30 Initiative, advancing marine conservation and biodiversity goals. She has represented youth perspectives at global platforms, including the Ocean Climate Dialogue and CSW68, where she championed climate justice and human rights, with a focus on climate migration for women and children. She serves on advisory boards for Amnesty International, World Ocean Day, and the UN Ocean Decade, bringing a solutions-driven approach to climate advocacy. Through her work with Fora for Change, she focuses on equitable climate policies that empower youth leaders. As a COP29 delegate with UNAC, she aims to foster actionable pathways toward a more sustainable and just future.

Annaliese

Digital Activism Officer

Annaliese is a dedicated advocate with a strong passion for human rights and social justice. Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Health Science degree in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Calgary, her activism journey began during her international travels, where she witnessed many instances of gender inequality. This experience led to her commitment to creating change, inspiring her to join Amnesty International’s University of Calgary chapter to educate and empower students toward a positive global impact.

Now serving as the chapter’s President, Annaliese continues to inspire others to take action for human rights. In addition to her work with Amnesty, Annaliese is actively involved in SAAVE (Stop Addicting Adolescents to Vaping and E-Cigarettes), a student advocacy group focused on shaping public policy to protect youth health. Outside of her advocacy work, she enjoys teaching piano, singing, and travelling.

Hayley Yip

Digital Activism Officer

Hayley Yip is a passionate advocate for social justice and youth empowerment with a strong commitment to human rights. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from McGill University, and is currently working at the BC government. Hayley’s activism journey began in Hong Kong, where she witnessed the erosion of freedoms during the pro-democracy movement, inspiring her to advocate for human rights and youth empowerment. She has led advocacy efforts with organizations like Heart4Heart McGill, advocating for social and medical justice for kids with congenital heart diseases, HanVoice, advocating human rights for North Korean defectors. Beyond her work, Hayley finds joy in baking and playing the cello.

Maria

Chief Development Officer

I’m a third-year University of Toronto student studying neuroscience and biochemistry. I’m very passionate about medicine and social justice. I got involved at Amnesty in 2021, and the first Amnesty campaign I was a part of was lobbying with Members of the Parliament about the Safe Third Country Agreement. This experience was very meaningful for me. Since then, I’ve been a part of other campaigns such as Write for Rights in Toronto. I’m so excited to be a part of NYAAC this year!

Jasmin Smith

Chief Development Officer

Jasmin Smith is a recent graduate from the University of Toronto, St. George, where she received her Bachelor of Science in the fields of English and Psychology. She is incredibly passionate about writing, and hopes to pursue her Masters and PhD in Literature or Journalism, with hopes of pursuing a career in investigative journalism or academia.

Jasmin began her advocacy journey at age 13, volunteering with local human rights groups in her community of Malton in Mississauga, Ontario. Her journey with Amnesty International began as a general member, and then student journalist, on the campus level, between 2020 and 2021. She has since gone on to explore other youth positions within Amnesty Canada, serving as a member of the National Organizer Program, the previous president of Amnesty International’s University of Toronto chapter, and as a previous member of the Human Rights College Planning Committee.

Jasmin is incredibly passionate about anti-racism work, LGBTQ+ advocacy, harm reduction, and gender equity, and hopes to one day report on marginalized communities and bring light to underrepresented issues.

Join Amnesty & make a difference!

Learn about global human rights issues firsthand from Amnesty campaigners and investigators worldwide. Get ideas to inspire your activism. Find resources and support to make the change in your school and community. Learn more by subscribing to Amnesty’s quarterly Youth Activism Newsletter now.

The fearless young leaders the world needs right now

“We can change the way someone looks at the world” –Mariana Rodrigues, 22, Portugal

My dad is a bit of a revolutionary. He taught me to think outside the box, so when I see something I want to change, I do something about it. All my activism is based around this.

When I went to university, I was approached by an Amnesty International fundraiser. The organisation’s work was so inspiring, I decided to become a face to face fundraiser after I graduated.

Fundraising provides an opportunity to change the way people think and to educate people about what’s going on in the world. I talked to a lot of people who had different ideas about refugees. After we spoke, they realised the importance of welcoming people into Portugal. It proved that most of world’s problems stem from a lack information. It is possible to overcome hate

It’s possible to change the way someone looks at the world and Amnesty, as well as my sustainable clothing project, provides a way of doing this. It’s incredible to be part of a youth network that provides an opportunity to meet activists from all over the world.

I am inspired by… people who continue to speak out in places where it’s hard to do so.

“The only way to heal was to take action” – Jaclyn Corin, 17, USA

I never imagined it would happen to me. Parkland was labelled the safest community in Florida, but when tragedy hit and a mass shooting took place at school, I knew the only way to heal was to take action.

When my friends and I came together, we didn’t have a plan. We literally started work on a living room floor. Being young worked in our favour. We weren’t adults trying to guess what worked for young people and we weren’t asking for permission. Other kids from across the nation saw what we were doing and felt they could do it too.

Being survivors of a school shooting meant people listened to us. We were angry and loud. The reaction to what happened to us helped build our movement faster than we could have imagined. It is amazing to see the impact we’re having, but there’s also a sense of guilt, as this has arisen out of something so horrible.

We created March For Our Lives because our friends who lost their lives would have wanted us to take action. We’re doing it for them.

I am inspired by… the kids who are doing something to make a difference – the girl who is running for school board, or the others running March For Our Lives. It’s the people and the present that inspires me.

Twitter: @JaclynCorin

“Violence in my community must end” – Raull Santiago, 29, Brazil

There are two sides to life in a favela. On one side, there’s a strong sense of community. On the other there is police violence, fuelled by inequality and racism. Every day people are violently murdered because of the colour of their skin.

I’ve seen a lot of violence in my life, with many young people imprisoned or murdered. Others are forced into the criminal underworld just to survive. In Brazil, there’s a national discourse around the drug problem and how the authorities are choosing to combat it through violence. In my community, 12 people have been murdered in the past two months.

I don’t want to sit by silently. As a human rights activist, I am determined to campaign against the ‘war on drugs’ and call for an end to violence in my community. We’re holding demonstrations in the street and staging street theatre to get our message across. I firmly believe these small actions will get our message across to a wider population.

People used to stay silent when someone was killed, but that’s not the case now. Every day, we fight for our lives. It’s a violent reality. My tattoo reads ‘Believe’. Even though it’s hard to have faith, my tattoo is a reminder of how far we’ve come.

I am inspired by… simple down to earth people, such as my mother, father and friends. They’re living the same reality, but are continuing to fight to improve things. Despite the hardship, they still smile. That’s a real inspiration.

Twitter: @raullsantiago

“We’re not afraid, we know what we’re doing is right” – Matt Deitsch, 20, Florida

March For Our Lives was created because something had to change. The Parkland shootings marked my sister’s birthday, Valentine’s Day. She was at school. When I heard about the shooting, I tried to contact her, but she wasn’t answering. I went to her school, trying to figure out what had happened. My sister survived, but in that moment, I knew the situation had to change.

Everything we’ve done since February 14 has been based on what we think is right. So far, it’s worked. We’ve organised trips to lobby state representatives, held a student town-hall with CNN, where numerous young people came together to speak out, and organised the March For Our Lives, which saw over 800 marches take place in numerous countries.

Lots of people want to make out like we’re something special, but we’re just normal kids willing do something about this problem. It’s crazy to see the tangible difference we are making. So far, we’ve seen 25 new laws passed across 15 states. It’s one thing to see a shift in mentality, but to see something being done to actually save lives is on a different level.

We’re not afraid, because we know what we’re doing is right. We carry on because many people who died in the Parkland shooting made a conscious effort to save someone else. We’re just trying to perpetuate that.

I am inspired by… other students who take a stand, such as Jaclyn. There’s a wonderful senior named Caitlin who organised a protest in Ocala, Florida, an area where there’s loads of gun stores. More supporters attended her rally than the governor’s.

Twitter: @MattxRed

“I have a voice and I am not afraid to use it!” – Zachir Enrique José, 18, Chile

Young people are constantly told they don’t know their own reality. It’s very frustrating. I identify as non-binary. People don’t know who we are. We don’t exist in language or everyday life. We’re assigned a gender by force, but we don’t get a say in it. When I told my family I was non-binary, they didn’t understand.

I want to make sure young people know their sexual and reproductive rights. Through workshops, festivals, books and fanzines, I am educating young people about their rights. It’s not for everyone, but most people thank me after the workshop. These issues aren’t often spoken about in Chile and when we do speak about them, it’s done in a way that makes them happy.

As a human rights activist, I will continue to raise my voice. I am resilient. Yes, I’ve experienced difficulties, especially as so many people treat sexuality as a joke, but there are people with empathy, so we will continue to empower each other. I have a voice and I am not afraid to use it.

I am inspired by… activists across my network!

“Sexual violence happens so often in Peru, people think it’s normal” – Yilda Paredes, 23, Peru

Behind our smiles, there is fear. A fear of living a life filled with violence.

In Peru, girls and young women are unprotected. We’re not allowed to have an abortion, apart from in exceptional circumstances. Just recently, a man burned a young girl alive in a bus. This happened near to my house.

I have been a victim of harassment. My ex-boyfriend used to stalk me. He threw rocks at my house, followed me everywhere and started rumours. I was forced to change my mobile number and the way I live. I even considered dropping out of university.

I found strength through my friends as well as my work with Amnesty International. When people found out about my situation a lot of girls and women started coming to me for advice, saying they’d experienced similar situations. Sexual violence happens so often in my country, people think it’s normal.

I am now training be a lawyer and I am a human rights activist, campaigning on issues such as women’s rights, LGBTI rights and indigenous people’s rights. There are many of us who want to see a change in our community. We deserve to have our voices heard and respected.

I am inspired by… women such as human rights defenders Maxima Acuna, from Peru, and Marielle Franco, from Brazil, who was shot dead earlier this year. They both fought for our rights.

Twitter: @ParedesYilda

“Everyone deserves the opportunity to learn about their rights” – Karin Watson, 21, Chile

Becoming a human rights activist was a natural process. I’ve been interested in social justice issues since I was 12. From 1973 to 1990, Chile was under the Pinochet dictatorship and there were a lot of human rights violations. Learning about the history of my country inspired me to become a human rights activist. Now I work on issues such as youth, migration and sexual and reproductive rights.

In Chile, girls and women are not allowed to have an abortion and many have died because of it. Last year, the National Parliament passed a ruling, stating abortion would be allowed in some circumstances. It was a great victory, but right after the bill was passed, a new government came into power and limited its impact. Amnesty International is educating young people on this issue through its My Body, My Rights campaign and it’s having a huge impact. It’s beautiful to see how it’s developed.

Nowadays, I work on human rights education, teaching children about their rights. It fills my heart and gives me motivation. Everyone deserves this opportunity. As part of Amnesty International’s Youth Collective, I am working on youth issues at a global level. It’s inspiring, as I’ve met so many people and made so many new friends, which means our work reaches new places.

I am inspired by… my friends, those who I met through this work and along the way. My friends who work on My Body, My Rights, are younger than me, but they’re so strong and passionate. They travelled to remote areas of Chile to educate people. It’s very inspiring.

“Seeing people take action feels good” – Haafizah Bhamjee, 22, South Africa

Period poverty exists, especially at university. You can’t even talk about menstruation, let alone whether you can afford sanitary products, so girls suffer in silence. It’s dehumanising.

My friends and I are trying to change this, through our #WorthBleedingFor campaign. Most people think university is a luxury for the rich, but it’s not. Poor people go to university too. Some students sleep in the library, others line up to receive grocery packs, while lack of access to sanitary pads is a real problem. We’re pushing for universities to install sanitary pad dispensers in bathrooms, we’ve contacted the local government to provide free pads for girls in schools and we’re encouraging girls to speak about their experiences.

Seeing people take action feels good. The change is gradual, but it’s exciting. Just recently, a group of girls made a video about #WorthBleedingFor showing our campaigning work. Knowing we’d reached out and had an impact was amazing.

I am inspired by… Winnie Mandela. She was fiery, driven and never stopped campaigning.

Twitter: @FizzerBlack

“To be an activist, one must stand up against social injustice” – Shafee Verachia, 26, South Africa

Student fees are continually rising, and it is systematically excluding bright young minds. This is why, like thousands of other young South Africans, I was part of #FeesMustFall protests – the largest student-led movement in South Africa since the Soweto uprising of 1976, where black school kids stood up to protest against apartheid. In October 2015, we embarked on a systematic shut down of our university system.

Over the course of two years (2015-2016), we experienced police brutality, victimisation and demonization. My friend, and successor as Student Representative Council President, Shaera Kalla, was shot in the back 13 times, at close range by policeman firing rubber bullets. She was unable to walk for almost six weeks. Another student, Kanya Cekeshe, was sentenced to eight years in jail. Hand-grenades were thrown at us and tear gas was fired. I still bear the psychological scars of what I experienced.

Even though our call was eventually met with a favourable response and tuition fees were not increased, it left me feeling agitated and angry. Change is not an event, it is a process and this process is not happening fast enough. Young people need to be at the forefront of shaping change. For too long youth issues have been on the periphery while leaders have been fixated with power and holding on to it. When the youth realize that we have the power and agency to shake the core of the system, we could be an unstoppable force for social justice

I am inspired by… the youth activists who rebel against a system that ignores and excludes them. It’s these young people who give me hope and make it clear our struggle must continue. As long as there are young people who are going to sleep hungry, can’t afford to go to school or are unable to access their most basic rights, our work must continue.

Twitter: @ShafMysta

“Human rights activism saved me” – Sandra Mwarania, 28, Kenya

I used to think human rights advocacy was just for professionals with a strong legal background. It’s not.

At university, students aren’t listened to. When I was a student, I advocated for students to have an active, powerful voice on issues that mattered to them. Campaigning for youth rights was fun and inspiring. As a young person, I wanted to campaign for positive change.

We go to university to carve successful career paths. However, students are confronted with harsh realities of joblessness, corruption, discrimination and a host of other injustices. I experienced this first hand when I left university. Instead of giving in to hopelessness, I volunteered with social justice initiatives.

I am 28 now and a year into my first stable job. Now I have a job, I feel as though I need to hold on to it and I’m grateful my current role complements my volunteering work. In a way, human rights activism saved me.

Seeing the impact my work is having makes me feel good and it encourages me to keep going. If people try to bring me down, I smile and ignore them. I know my story and I know where I want to go.

I am inspired by…. Amnesty International Kenya’s Country Director – Irũngũ Houghton. Since he joined the team this year, my work ethic has shifted. He constantly coaches me to challenge myself as a human rights defender and young leader.

Twitter: @SMwarania

“By standing together, we can inspire each other” – Kania Mamonto, 25, Indonesia

At least half a million people were massacred during the 1965 tragedy in Indonesia, and it’s my job to document stories of the survivors. I organise community survivor groups and bridge the gap between generations. It’s important young people understand our country’s past. As a human rights activist, I don’t want to see injustice. I want to work with others, share knowledge and take action, but being a human rights activist isn’t easy in Indonesia.

Last April, I was part of a cultural event alongside numerous other human rights defenders. I was Master of Ceremony. A violent group came and barricaded us into the building for eight hours. It was terrifying. More than 200 people were trapped, including children. They used rocks to smash the glass, we were fired at and were at risk of being beaten. After we were released, my face was splashed all over the media.

The whole incident was very traumatising. I work so hard to make change possible, but that’s not how it’s perceived. I’ve learnt to deal with what happened and I want to educate people about my work. If people have an issue with it, I want them to talk to me and have an open discussion. Standing up for what you believe in doesn’t make you a bad person. We just want justice and equality.

Through Amnesty International, I’ve met and worked with other human rights defenders from across Asia and it’s good to feel part of a global network. It’s an opportunity to share the work we’re doing, as well as our problems and the lessons we’ve learnt. By standing together, we can inspire each other.

I am inspired by… an Indonesian activist called Munir. He was so inspiring, brave and always told the truth. He stood with the people.

Twitter: @Kanimonster

“When I speak out, I feel empowered” – Manu Gaspar, 23, Philippines

When I speak out, I feel empowered. Making my voice heard was something I struggled with growing up. I told my parents I was gay when I was 19. Compared to some of my friends who came out, I am lucky, as I am still able to live at home.

It’s not always easy, though. My parents don’t approve of my sexuality and it’s hard to find common ground. Most of the time when I go home, I don’t talk to anyone.

I’ve found hope through human rights activism. When I talk about issues I am passionate about, I feel appreciated, as though I am making a difference.

Youth human rights activism plays a huge role in my life. Alongside my role at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), I am also part of Amnesty International’s Youth Collective. So many young people face similar struggles and it’s an opportunity to share my story with others and tell them it gets better – and once it does, it’s a responsibility to ensure other queer people everywhere enjoy their freedom as much as you do. It takes a long time to know yourself, but it helps when you find people who you want to talk to; they become your chosen family. When you find that group, you see things from a different perspective and feel much more appreciated.

I am inspired by… the LGBTI community. Many people had it much harder, and I wouldn’t be able to be myself if it wasn’t for them.

Twitter: @mnugaspar

“People should be tolerant and open-minded” – Amal Agourram, 21, Morocco

Women’s rights are violated every day in Morocco. I know people who have been harassed and assaulted, whose right to freedom of expression has been violated, and those who have faced unfair trials. That’s what makes me want to fight for human rights.

After I graduated, I started working with Amnesty International at a local level on its Brave and I Welcome campaigns.

My aim is to create an environment where people are tolerant, open-minded and there’s an understanding of human rights. Through I Welcome, I encourage people to see beyond the refugee label and listen to the stories behind it.

I mostly work with other young people on these campaigns. It’s an opportunity to meet people who have had similar experiences. By taking part, young people tell me they feel a lot less lonely and part of something important. Many of us have also used the skills we’ve gained to educate people at home, about issues such as women’s rights.

I am always thinking about ways I can make a change and have an impact. For me, it’s a hobby. Even when my parents tell me to rest, I tell them that promoting the importance of human rights makes me feel good!

I am inspired by… Nelson Mandela. He inspires us all. I also seek inspiration from people from my hometown. They motivate me to make a difference.