Youth Advisory Board
Empowering the next generation – see how our Youth Advisory Board is driving change for children’s rights and health worldwide. Join us and follow us on social media to stay connected to their inspiring work.
Our Purpose
CAP-2030 is committed to partnering with children and adolescents to promote their rights and wellbeing. The first cohort of the CAP-2030 Youth Advisory Board (YAB), comprising 22 young people aged 13-18 from 17 countries, was formed and ran from April 2023 to May 2024. Follow the YAB’s work and advocacy on these issues by searching the hashtag #CAP2030Youth.
“It was so amazing to have the opportunity to work and learn from people coming from all over the world. Focus group sessions helped me really develop insight on specific issues and look at the problems we face from completely different perspectives.”
Alice Mazon – YAB Member
See our YAB members in action
CAP-2030 YAB member Saliqa talks about breaking intergenerational poverty
CAP-2030 YAB member Aadi discusses
child-centred healthcare
YAB Activities
Our Youth Advisory Board has actively engaged in numerous activities.
They have provided unique perspectives, connecting us to the concerns of youth on critical issues such as climate change, data for decision making, racism and discrimination, and harmful commercial marketing. Here’s how their voices have been integrated into various aspects of CAP-2030’s work, ensuring that youth perspectives are central to our efforts.
First meeting of the CAP-2030 YAB
At the first meeting, 21 young people from 17 different countries were able to meet each other, learn more about CAP-2030, and begin conversations. 16-year-old Almaaz Mudaly (climate activist and CAP-2030 intern) shared how she influenced policy in South Africa and encouraged YAB members to make their voices heard.
Shaping policy responses to marketing of risky products
CAP-2030 and NCD Alliance published a policy report on countering the marketing of health-harming products that was co-produced with children and young people. YAB members’ concerns about harmful marketing and policy ideas to counter it are reflected in the findings and recommendations. YAB members helped disseminate the report at the Global Forum for Adolescents.
'Let's talk about harmful commercial marketing to children'
YAB members provided critical input to a major stream of work at CAP-2030 – addressing the problem of harmful commercial marketing to children. They provided content for a policy brief on this emerging health topic and spoke out about this issue in an event organised with KidsforSDGs.
'Transforming child health through policy' at the Learning Planet Festival 2024
In January 2024, the CAP-2030 Youth Advisory Board joined other young changemakers from around the world at the Learning Planet Festival to share their exciting ideas about ‘Transforming Child Health Through Policy’.
Enhancing scientific understandings of how racism harms child health
YAB members helped shape priorities for the Lancet Commission on Racism and Child Health. They provided feedback via online activities, meetings and survey responses and helped develop a guide for interviewing children and adolescents on their experiences of racism in different countries.
Commission yet to be published.
> See Race & Health group website
Analysing the psychological impacts of racism
YAB member Saliqa took the initiative to resarch and publish a ‘Youth Perspective’ in the Race & Health Quaterley Newsletter titled ‘Navigating the Dichotomy: Understanding the Impact of Racism on Self-Esteem and the Path to Psychological Healing.’
Elevating priorities for researching climate change and child health
YAB members discussed the results of a systematic evidence review and ‘gap map’ on climate change and children’s wellbeing. They helped identify key research priorities for a forthcoming publication and plan activities to increase knowledge on important mitigation and adaptation actions.
NOT YET PUBLISHED – COMING SOON
More Coming Soon...
Feedback
We asked the previous YAB cohort – What 3 words best descibed your experience as a YAB member?
Here was their response >
Meet the YAB 2024 Alumni
Alice Mazon
United Kingdom
READ MORE
Hey I’m Alice and I’m from London! I decided to get involved with CAP-2030 because I really believe in the transformative power of the voices of young people. I am also a youth advisory representative for BiteBack2030 and the Media Spokesperson for the UK BYC Votes at 16 movement. In my spare time I love to read and go on runs!
Preferred pronouns: she/her
Aashmi KC
Nepal
READ MORE
I am Aashmi KC, a 15 year old from Kathmandu, Nepal with a keen interest on contemporary topics such as climate change, its impacts and advocating for the issue at hand. CAP-2030 looks to be the perfect platform for me to learn, grow and evolve in ways to help advocate for our future and insure that voices of the youth, the future is heard, understood and taken into consideration. CAP-2030’s aim to involve children in such burning issues is very appealing to me. I have previously volunteered alongside Sava the Children Nepal in voicing out my opinions and bringing attention of the public regarding climate change. A fun fact about me is that I can thoroughly finish a novel in a day if the story is fictional.
Preferred pronouns: she/her
Abhishek Maher
India
READ MORE
Hi there! I’m Abhishek – a curious person at heart with a passion for technology, philosophy, and science, with a particular love for physics! I’m always on the lookout for novel ways to create a positive impact and believe that evidence-based actions and effective altruism can change the world for the better. My focus is on promoting children’s rights, protecting their health, and leveraging science and technology to achieve these goals. I’m also a member of BiteBack2030’s national youth board, where I work on campaigns to address the harm of junk food marketing and the risks to child health, to protect the health and wellbeing of our future.
When I’m not immersed in science or advocating for social change, I enjoy shooting hoops on the basketball court, exploring the latest tech advancements, or playing my viola!
Preferred pronouns are he/him
Angelina Montini
Australia
READ MORE
I live in Safety Bay, in the outer suburbs of Perth, Western Australia.
I want to be involved because I care about people and about our future, and I want to help be the change that I want to see.
I live near a group of islands with some amazing wildlife, I love being at the beach and experiencing nature. I also enjoy listening to and playing music, and reading books.
Preferred pronouns: she/her
Aadi Sardesai
India
READ MORE
I believe CAP 2030’s inclusion of children in policy is an essential endeavour to ensure that we have democratic and sustainable outcomes. CAP 2030 and The YAB give an opportunity to those who will inherit the Earth a chance to shape how it will look. I love to cook in my spare time
Preferred pronouns: he/him
Chiara Nilson
Brazil
READ MORE
My name is Chiara and I’m from Brazil. I chose being involved with CAP-2030 to represent the Brazilian youth and participate actively in changing the world for better. I am extremely passionate about studying and discussing ideas to help people, and I also love singing and writing in my spare time.
Preferred pronouns: she/her
Edward Lever
United Kingdom
READ MORE
Hi, I’m Edward! I live in Rutland, a rural county in the United Kingdom. I chose to be a part of CAP-2030 because I’m really passionate about trying to spark real change in all of the areas CAP-2030 addresses and beyond. I’m also a member of the food-system focused BiteBack 2030 group and my area’s Youth Council. I love cycling and spending time with friends!
Preferred pronouns: he/him
Komari Machida
Japan
READ MORE
Hello, I’m Komari Machida living in Tokyo, Japan! I was born with 17 allergies and have struggled with my mental health. As those topics and children’s health are underrepresented in Japanese and global policies, I wanted to make a difference by joining the Youth Advisory Board. I am a co-founder of the Mental Health App “UTime,” which aims to bridge the gap between parents and teenagers in the field of mental health. I love music-related activities and writing creatively in my spare time.
Preferred pronouns: she/her
Punyanuch Panyatara
Thailand
READ MORE
Hi! My name is Punyanuch Panyatara and I am currently living in Thailand. I want to be a part of this organisation because living in Thailand, I have seen many people and places around me experiencing the major problems of the world but I could barely do anything to stop or solve the problems. Currently being a member of Systems Change Summit, I wish to create an impactful project on the healthcare field in the underdeveloped parts of Thailand. Therefore, I believe taking part in CAP would allow me to help out with these problems. I also hope to use my knowledge in science to be applied to parts of the project as well.
Preferred pronouns: she/her
Saliqa Amin
Pakistan/France
READ MORE
Hi! I am Saliqa Amin from Hunza, Pakistan. I am 16 years old and reside in France. I consider myself a dedicated volunteer who believes in the power of collective action of youth. I am a youth ambassador for 1MYAC and a delegate of ferMUN. Being a self-taught dancer I take pleasure in learning new and challenging choreography!
Preferred pronouns: she/her
Kids speaking out
Question 1:
What can young people bring to policy decision making spaces?
Answers
Question 2:
How can we get global leaders to care more about improving children’s health and wellbeing?
Answers
Question 3:
What do adults need to understand about what most affects the health and well-being of children today?
Answers
“Understanding what most impacts the health and well-being of children and young people today, can be categorized into 3 main groups: Social, Justice, and Economic Factors; Lifestyle and Environment; and Global Awareness. These factors are important factors that shape the experiences and development of the younger generation.”
Sign up to the CAP-2030 newsletter
Subscribe to our global newsletter to learn more about our work
