UN Foundation Announces 2025–2027 Next Generation Fellows Cohort

The United Nations Foundation today announced the 2025–2027 cohort of Next Generation Fellows, seven exceptional young leaders selected to spearhead a new chapter of global cooperation.

As part of the UN Foundation’s Our Future Agenda program, they will focus on reimagining the future of the United Nations — bridging the gap between traditional international structures and the dynamic spaces where young people are mobilizing at a local level. The Fellows, all under 30 years old, will serve two-year terms during which they will champion intergenerational governance, multilateral renewal, and global solutions to tackle global challenges for both next and future generations.

“I’m thrilled to welcome the latest cohort of Next Generation Fellows, a catalyst for new models of global cooperation,” said Elizabeth Cousens, President and CEO of the United Nations Foundation. “Each Fellow brings extraordinary talent, insight, and energy — indispensable for helping bridge generations as we confront the urgency of reimagining our shared institutions. I’m eager to see their efforts create new possibilities for practical action and change.”

At a time when half of the world’s population is under 30, the largest generation in history that remains largely excluded from decision-making, these young changemakers will amplify the voices of youth and young countries in shaping the global agenda. The Fellows will work alongside senior policymakers and local movements, embodying a new model of global cooperation that engages young people as equal partners and leaders.

“Now more than ever, our global institutions must reflect the values, vision, and voices of young generations determined to build a fairer world,” said Harshani Dharmadasa, Senior Director at the United Nations Foundation leading the Our Future Agenda program. “Global cooperation needs new energy and ideas. These Fellows are joining a growing movement of young leaders and young countries working together to push our international system to think, plan, and act for the future.”

Selected through a rigorous global process from over 6,000 applicants, the 2025–2027 Fellows represent a diverse and gender-balanced cohort from six continents. They bring expertise spanning medicine, technology, economics, education, and climate activism, with several Fellows already serving in advisory roles across international organizations. The Fellows will focus on thematic pillars inspired by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Peace, People, Prosperity, Planet, Partnerships, and Future Generations.

2025–2027 Fellows:

• Ishaan Shah, 22, Lead (UK, India): Co-founder of Stolen Dreams, a youth-led initiative combating modern slavery and human trafficking, and the youngest member of the Global Commission on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking. Ishaan has advised several UN agencies on youth engagement and works to make global governance more transparent and inclusive.
• António Pedro Tavares Pinho, 24, People (Portugal): Medical doctor and youth health advocate active in the World Health Organization’s European Region and other UN platforms. He brings medical and policy expertise to SDG innovation with a focus on health equity, youth-led development, and the wellbeing economy.
• Renata Koch Alvarenga, 28, Planet (Brazil): Founder of EmpoderaClima and a former gender lead for YOUNGO, the youth constituency of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Renata is also a Forbes Under 30-recognized advocate for climate justice, resilience and disaster preparedness, amplifying young voices from the Global South through a gender lens.
• Joon Baek, 28, Prosperity (South Korea): Software engineer and former youth advisor to the OECD, having wrote its paper on youth AI governance. Joon leads advocacy on digital rights and cybersecurity, and was recognized as a UNODA “Leader4Tomorrow” for his work on the intersection of digital privacy and disarmament.
• Selamawit Tezera Chaka, 29, Peace (Ethiopia): A tech policy and online safety advocate, she is the founder of SheEsecures, an Ethiopia-based platform championing women’s digital rights. She is also working to advance community-led peacebuilding in Ethiopia and leveraging digital tools to amplify youth voices.
• Tumi Mkhize Malebo, 23, Partnerships (South Africa): Economist focused on Africa’s development futures and innovation, she helped create economic scenario-planning tools for African countries. She has also served as a researcher at a leading African think tank as well as an intern at Uber South Africa.
• Desiree Junfijiah, 25, Future Generations (US, Liberia): Computer scientist and AI policy researcher specializing in AI safety, alignment, and digital governance. She coordinates partnerships for youth leadership programs and contributes to state-level AI policy development.

The Next Generation Fellowship will equip these seven young leaders with the tools and networks to influence the policies and global frameworks that shape our shared future. Over the course of their fellowship, they will contribute directly to upcoming global milestones, while also looking beyond 2030 to imagine the frameworks needed for the rest of the century.

“This fellowship represents a powerful shift, placing young voices at the center of global decision-making,” Lead Fellow Ishaan Shah remarked. “Together, we’ll work towards a UN that is truly reflective of young people’s priorities, values, and ideas, shaping solutions that will resonate far beyond our own generation.”

About Our Future Agenda
The United Nations Foundation’s Our Future Agenda program aims to bring the priorities of young people and future generations into the global spotlight. At a time when the world faces intersecting crises — from climate change to inequality — this program ensures that young people are not only heard but are actively shaping solutions.

Through innovative campaigns, policy recommendations, and platforms, Our Future Agenda bridges generational gaps and amplifies the leadership of young people in decision-making processes. This fellowship is a cornerstone of that vision, providing a structured, impactful way for emerging leaders to directly influence global policy and action. The fellowship was first established by the UN Foundation in response to the UN Secretary-General’s call for young people to help shape Our Common Agenda – a vision for renewing multilateralism to better serve people and planet. Learn more at www.ourfutureagenda.org.

About the UN Foundation
For over 25 years, the UN Foundation has built novel innovations and partnerships to support the United Nations and help solve global problems at scale. As an independent charitable organization, the Foundation was created to work closely with the United Nations to address humanity’s greatest challenges and drive global progress. Learn more at www.unfoundation.org.