20 Young Innovators, 20 Bold Solutions

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They’re smart, driven, idealistic, and pragmatic. Keenly aware of the problems facing our planet, they’re equally passionate about solutions. They are the 2015 Laureate Global Fellows. Among their social innovations, Fellows are equipping university students in the United States with cloud-based tools to help small businesses curb their carbon emissions, empowering school communities in Peru to build libraries out of recycled materials, and creating safe spaces for Syrian refugee women to learn about their rights.

The Laureate Global Fellowship is the result of a partnership between Laureate International Universities and the International Youth Foundation through its YouthActionNet® program. Each year, 20 accomplished young social entrepreneurs, ages 18 to 29, are selected to take part in the program, which offers advanced leadership training, advocacy, and networking opportunities.

The 2015 Laureate Global Fellows are the newest members of the YouthActionNet global network, which over 15 years has expanded to include more than 1,200 young change-makers in 90 countries. Fellows receive support through 21 youth leadership institutes around the world, including 12 established at Laureate International Universities.  

“As YouthActionNet celebrates its 15th anniversary, we are especially proud to welcome these young founders and CEOs to be a part of a unique network that offers a lifetime of relationships and learning opportunities,” said IYF President and CEO Bill Reese. “Our close working partnership with Laureate over ten years speaks volumes about its commitment to supporting—and connecting—an emerging generation of leaders as they tackle some of the world’s toughest challenges.”

“Congratulations to each of the 2015 Laureate Global Fellows, whose entrepreneurial approaches reflect our belief in the power of today’s young leaders to innovate solutions and inspire their peers,” said Douglas L. Becker, Chairman and CEO of Laureate Education, Inc. “We are proud to work in partnership with IYF to support these proven leaders—and others like them around the globe—as part of our enduring commitment to creating positive and lasting change."

20 Young Innovators, 20 Bold Solutions:

  • Blessing Mene Oritseweyinmi, 27, who founded UNFIRE in Nigeria, which produces a sustainable, low-cost animal feed that results in higher profits for small farmers and enhanced nutrition for community members.
  • Deepa Gupta, 27, who created Jhatkaa.org, which has mobilized more than 100,000 citizens in India to take action to combat racism, prevent gender-based violence, and address other critical social issues.
  • Carolina Candelario, MD, 29, who launched GUIMEDIC to deliver health care in remote regions of Mexico through mobile medical clinics.

From October 2 to 9, the 2015 Fellows will participate in an in-depth training workshop held in Washington, DC and will share their innovative approaches with corporate, civic, and public sector leaders at a special event held in partnership with the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

For more information, please visit the YouthActionNet website.

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social entrepreneurship young entrepreneur youth leadership