.png)
Are you an Ambassador with expertise working for Indigenous Communities?
After a round of consultations with One Young World Ambassadors from Indigenous Communities, we are forming the first advisory council of its kind. Comprised of ten Indigenous leaders from different communities, the Council will ensure that the voices, perspectives, and needs of Indigenous communities are at the forefront of all decision-making.
The central responsibility of the Council will be to provide an outline of strategic objectives for One Young World's engagement with young Indigenous leaders. The Council's function is critical in ensuring that One Young World's work is culturally sensitive, respectful, and impactful but also that any activities are sustainable and effective.
One Young World has identified a selection panel of expert One Young World Ambassadors to review applications for the Council and select the Council members, listed at the bottom of this page.
Members of the Council will be expected to:
- Sit on the Council for 12 months
- Volunteer time once a month to advise One Young World on strategic priorities
- Provide expert guidance based on their own lived experience and professional expertise
- Represent as best they can the interests of young Indigenous leaders around the world
- Respond to the needs and interests of Indigenous One Young World Community members
Members of the Council will be compensated for their participation with fully-funded access to the Summit in Montréal (Tiohtiá:ke) in 2024 including transport and accommodation. OYW will also reimburse essential costs incurred from their participation e.g. data plans.
Following the initial consultation with our Ambassadors, in collaboration and with the advice of the Indigenous Council, One Young World will pursue the following initiatives:
- Holding an Indigenous Youth Day prior to the Summit in Montréal (Tiohtiá:ke) in 2024
- Maximising access to One Young World for young Indigenous leaders
- Growing the amount and quality of Indigenous content included in the Summit agenda
- Partnering with more Indigenous and First Nation organisations
- Developing Indigenous and First Nation Youth Networks
- Funding young Indigenous leaders' social impact initiatives
You can read the full One Young World Indigenous Strategy here.
We acknowledge that One Young World 2024 will take place within the traditional unceded lands of the Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) peoples, part of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. There is also a strong historical presence of Anishinaabe peoples in what is now known as the Greater Montréal area. We are grateful to the traditional custodians of this land and hope to honour them in our work.
Selection Panel:
One Young World has identified four outstanding members of our Community who have been active participants in forming our Indigenous Strategy so far, to select the Indigenous Council members.
Coordinating Ambassador, Pacific Island Nations
Lavau Nalu
Lavau Nalu is a (blak) multi-disciplinary storyteller, humanitarian and medical doctor with a keen interest in global health and social justice. Recognised as a leader in the Pacific, Lavau has been involved in innumerable health projects, selflessly devoting his time to improve health outcomes.
Co-Founder, Origen Learning Fund
Tania Rosas
Tania, who belongs to the Wayuu community, launched ‘Fundación el Origen’ to reduce school dropouts amongst Indigenous communities across Latin America. It designs education programmes and works personally with teachers and students, translating materials into the Wayuunaiki language to ensure their accessibility.
Manager-Pacific, Ministry of Education
Mary Moeono-Kolio
Mary was One Young World's first Managing Director for the Pacific Region. She is a young Samoan professional who leads 350 Pacific Climate Warriors in Wellington, New Zealand. Since 2023, Mary has worked as a Manager within the Ministry of Education supporting Pacific ākonga through education in New Zealand.
Founder & CEO, REPWR
Zachary A. McCue
Zachary is a member of Curve Lake First Nation Ontario Canada. He has spent most of his life promoting reconciliation through economic and corporate development. Zachary is CEO of REPWR, a wholly-owned First Nation clean technology company that designs and manufactures solar-based systems for the intermodal freight industry.