The Youth Jury, who will decide the AIPH Youth Award in the 2024 edition of the AIPH World Green City Awards, boasts 15 dynamic members from around the world, all with a passion for urban greening.
The AIPH Youth Award is not a category – instead, all entries that are selected as Finalists in each of the seven categories will be eligible for this Award. From the 21 Finalists, the Youth Jury will vote for a shortlist of three entries from which they will select the winner of the AIPH Youth Award: the top entry most likely to inspire the youth and fulfil their needs for a secure, healthy future. The AIPH Youth Award will be presented at the 2024 Awards ceremony alongside the AIPH World Green City Awards 2024 category winners and Grand Winner and is envisaged to be an integral part of each future edition going forward.
Click on a Youth Jury member to learn more about them.
Staff for Campaigns & Social Media, Latin American Leadership Academy (LALA), Brazil
Presently, Andressa is fully immersed in two significant academic projects. The first, “READURBAN,” is a visionary endeavor focused on Resilience and Urban Adaptation. It seeks innovative solutions for cities grappling with the impacts of climate disasters. The second project, “ACESSÁVEIS,” explores Urban Planning along Brazil and Uruguay’s borders. This research initiative is explicitly geared towards understanding and promoting green health in these border areas.
PhD candidate, University of Bielefeld, Germany
Sustainability Consultant for Real Estate Developments, Petinelli, Brazil
Bruna work building connections between real estate developments and the best practices in efficiency, resilience, and well-being, all aimed at creating more sustainable cities. Whether at the scale of individual buildings or urban development as a whole, Bruna firmly believes in the technical and economic feasibility of this approach as the key to transforming the market and implementing innovative solutions that enhance safety, health, and the overall quality of life in constructed spaces.
Bruna’s educational background includes a degree from the Federal University of Santa Catarina and specialization in Urban Space Rehabilitation at the University of Brasília (UnB). Bruna is also a certified professional in LEED for Cities and Communities Advisory and hold the LEED AP BD+C certification. Bruna approaches sustainability with a structured and comprehensive methodology, applying validated techniques to assist projects in achieving superior results with reduced resource consumption.
Trial Site Coordinator, Marginpar, Kenya
Student, Antigua State College, Antigua
Currently, Dominique is a second-year A-level student at the Antigua State College. She has her sights set on pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology at the University of the West Indies, Mona, with plans to further delve into Environmental Studies and Sustainable Energy in her future endeavors. Her academic pursuits reflect her commitment to understanding and preserving the world around us.
Dominique is not just an avid learner but also an enthusiastic volunteer. She often finds herself volunteering with various environmental initiatives. She is determined to make a positive change and be an involved youth. Her aspirations extend beyond the classroom; she dreams of becoming an Oceanographer and an influential activist and advocate.
Dominique strongly believes in the concept of green cities, which she sees as the key to environmental preservation, reduced climate risk, increased economic health, better adaptability, and improved social and physical wellness. She invites everyone to work together to achieve this vision.”
Coordinator and Project Manager, Green Land Nkyirimma Organization, Ghana
Urban planner and PhD candidate in sustainable urban development, Regional center of excellence on sustainable cities in Africa, Burkina Faso
Senior legal counsel and advocate, Centre for Sustainable Development and Environment (CENESTA), Iran
National Consultant, Cooperative Development Authority, Philippines
Justin’s commitment to driving positive change led him to become a National Consultant at the Philippine Government’s Cooperative Development Authority, where he contributed to the development of cooperative enterprises promoting equitable growth.
Justin has also served as a Board Member at the Rotary Fellowship for Global Development, an Ambassador at the Institute for Economics & Peace, and a Delegate for Innovation & Investment at the ASEAN Australia Strategic Youth Partnership. These roles have given him a global perspective and a deep understanding of innovative solutions for sustainability.
Justin’s mentorship roles at organizations like WWF Singapore’s Youth Sustainability Incubator Programme and his representation at the Climate Reality Project have showcased his dedication to nurturing young talents and advocating for climate action.
Managing Director, Elzian Agro (Private) Limited, Sri Lanka
He is a successful graduate of the Silicon-Valley based Founder Institute’s accelerator program and a Business Management (Special) Degree holder from the University of Kelaniya. He has more than 500-course completion certificates (including 300+ Coursera certificates). He is an ALS fellow of the Harris School of Public Policy from the University of Chicago.
Karunarathnalage is the leading technology partner for the International Analog Forestry Network. He works closely with marginalized communities in 22 countries (including Costa Rica, Cameroon, Peru, Ecuador, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Paraguay, and Bolivia) reaching more than 100,000 marginalized farmers representing various geographical locations, cultures, religions, income classes, races, and genders.
Senior Manager, Climate Resilience & Sustainability, Clinton Global Initiative, USA
Founder and Executive Director, Ethereal Inc., India
Leena is a social entrepreneur, climate advocate and author. She’s the founder and executive director of Ethereal, a youth-led nonprofit, with 9000 volunteers in 40+ countries. She has sat on boards and advisory councils for several organisations. She has been a member at Harvard Business Review Ascend Select and has provided insights to editorial, marketing and product teams of HBR and has contributed to research projects by HBR Ascend.
Leena’s work has been featured by World Bank Group, Girl Up, United Nations Foundation, International Universities Climate Alliance, Climate Reality Project, Her Campus Media, Next Generation Fellows, Medium, GrasshoppHer. She was previously a Member at Global Leadership Challenge at Oxford University. She has been an Ambassador for organisations including World Bank Group, GreenPeace USA, 4ocean, Beni and the Climate Initiative.
Leena is a prolific public speaker who has spoken at events across the world including Conferences of Youth, RCOY, Girl Up Global Leadership Summit, GatherVerse Summit, YOUNGO at UNFCCC and even at the High Commission of Canada. She has authored books including ‘The Climate Awakening’ and ‘Ethereal’ and writes poetry about social impact.
Student/Research Assistant, Bahcesehir University, Canada
Landscape Architect, National Body of Standardization of Romania, Romania
Founder, Sustainable Design and Climate Change Advisor, SD11 (Youth Community – Non Profit Entities), Cambodia
Moreover, he has experience working as an educator at the Institute of Technology of Cambodia, where he supported academic student involvement and taught students about topics including conceptual architecture, research methodology, thesis writing, interior design, and land-use planning. He served in two roles in 2023: as an MTE Climate Ambassador for the Global Youth Climate Network and as a Youth Biodiversity Leader for the ASEAN Youth Biodiversity Programme.
Landscape Designer, Kenya School of Monetary Studies and Botanical Landscaping, Kenya
In 2018, he founded Botanical Landscaping, a company specialising in landscaping services. This venture has allowed me to actively contribute to the practical implementation of landscaping projects, including design, installation, and ongoing maintenance, further solidifying a commitment to fostering green and sustainable urban spaces.