Maria Paula Ribeiro marques
she/her, Brasil
Maria, an International Relations graduate from the University of Brasilia (UnB) with a specialization in Economics from Stockholm University. Over 7 years, she's championed human rights across Latin America, supporting nonprofits in program success. She's contributed to sustainable development at the UNDP, youth engagement with United Way, and global health with the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative. These roles honed her resource mobilization, advocacy, and partnership skills.
Beyond her career, Maria's engaged in Brasilia's youth organizations and social movements. She's now part of collective driving health through agroecology, harm reduction, and popular education.
At Youth4Nature, Maria is Development Director, bringing her prowess in resource mobilization, communication, and partnerships.
Aiita joshua APAMAKU
he/him, Uganda
Aiita is a naturalist, wildlife biologist, and National Geographic Young Explorer with core interests in the interplay of the nature-climate nexus, mainly on nature-based solutions. His passions and skillsets span across the need to enhance storytelling, raising and amplifying narratives of youth to challenge the status quo- shifting power to young folks.
At COP28, Aiita is keen on following the negotiations, specifically thematic areas on Nature. He, too, will be engaging through the Youth4Nature Nature/NbS track to showcase the work we are championing to transform and ensure just systems for Nature and nature-based solutions.
CESAR MONTES FIGUEROA
he/him, Mexico
Cesar studied Biology at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and focused on socio-environmental system analysis. He worked with the Conservation Genetics Lab in projects related to crop genetic diversity conservation, especially Mexican native varieties of cotton and maize. Cesar also has scientific journalism and science communication experience having worked in the C3 (Center of Complexity Sciences) and the Unit of investigative journalism Corriente Alterna. With Y4N, Cesar has been collaborating for more than 2 years, especially in the Storytelling unit I’ve also been a longtime collaborator of CASA CEM, an NGO from Guadalajara working with environmental and pollution mitigation policies.
JAVIER VALDIVIA NAVARRO
he/him, Mexico
Javier is a passionate and knowledgeable Youth expert in Natural Climate Solutions (NCS) hailing from Mexico. With a bachelor's degree in Natural Resources Management and a master's degree in Forestry, specializing in REED and REDD+, his expertise is commendable. Currently, he serves as Project Coordinator within Terra Global Capital, leading a significant NCS project in the Mayan Forest.
Javier's commitment to making a positive impact extends beyond his professional role. He dedicates his time as an enthusiastic volunteer with various Youth-led organizations like Youth4Nature, actively promoting environmental awareness and sustainability among the younger generation. Javier's experiences also include working with renowned international organizations such as FAO, showcasing his dedication to global environmental efforts. Through his remarkable journey, Javier continues to be an influential force in driving climate practices and conservation initiatives in his community and beyond.
Zakira Bakhshi
she/her, Afghanistan & USA
Zakira is a sophomore at Yale University, pursuing her major in Political Science with a concentration on Environmental Science in conjunction to a certificate in French. Beyond her academic endeavors, Zakira is engaged in social and climate activism which is why she works as global ambassador at Youth4Nature, where she advocates for climate movements on top of raising awareness about climate vulnerability in underrepresented communities. Before the takeover of Afghanistan by Taliban in 2021, She was running the first youth-led organization “Act for nature" in Balkh, Afghanistan to promote climate awareness in schools and universities, encourage climate friendly alternatives, and enable youths to take ambitious climate actions. Zakira is extremely passionate to learn about the intersections of climate justice and education, and the role of war and conflict in frontline communities.
Outside these pursuits, Zakira enjoys various activities that keep her well-rounded. She finds solace in reading, biking, exercising, traveling, and exploring different parts of the world. She also has a love for music and dance, constantly learning and playing instruments. At COP28, you will find her with her Y4N fellows making connections, promoting meaningful conversations, exchanging ideas, and learning fresh viewpoints and information.
Raysa França
she/her, Brasil & Finland
Raysa França is a published academic author, a climate and nature youth activist and a community organiser with a decade of experience in sustainability and social impact. She is passionate about growing communities and navigating different worlds and universes of sustainable action, such as private sectors, NGOs, business schools, and universities. A dog lover, pop culture aficionado, and passionate about public speaking, friends and co-workers have described her as curious, kind, sociable and creative.
As a Brasilian immigrant living in Finland, Raysa has been championing climate action on the local and global stage. She has co-founded not only one but two nonprofits working at the intersection of social issues with climate action in Finland. Complex ry is a student association that offers a platform for students to practice leadership skills in sustainability, while Symbiosis Tampere was created to connect immigrant youth to climate action. Raysa serves the global climate and nature movement as the Global Engagement Director at Youth4Nature, where she coordinates partnerships and international events.
At COP28, you will find her nourishing partnerships and making friends on behalf of Y4N, as well as supporting other youth groups attending COP. You may connect to her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raysa-franca/
Oluwaseun Adekugbe
she/her, Nigeria & Denmark
Born and raised in Nigeria, Oluwaseun is a passionate advocate of the climate and nature nexus. She is particularly interested in how we can develop holistic solutions that are just and right for the planet and the people. By virtue of her region, Oluwaseun has been witnessing the increasing threats associated with climate change, the current increase in climate disasters across the globe and the silence in many decision-making spaces to implement solutions that will bring about the much-needed recovery in the most justice-oriented manner.
At COP28, Oluwaseun is keen on connecting with youth groups to connect, collaborate, and bring a youth perspective to the table and by so doing, establish a more meaningful relationship with organisations and youth groups that care for the planet as she does. She firmly believes that the solutions we need are found through collaborative actions, when all voices matter and are unified in decision-making. Furthermore, she wishes to follow the negotiations to see what the COP28 agenda will bring and the impact of this on our present and future, especially if there are established accountability and transparency mechanisms that will follow COP28.
Melyn Abisa
she/her, Kenya
As a Kenyan-based environmentalist, Melyn became acquainted with Youth4Nature through her work at Big Ship CBO since 2021, advocating for sustainable use of coastal forest resources and empowering local communities through environmental conservation, restoration, and protection. She has also trained at World Vision Kenya in capacity building, advocating for children's rights and well-being.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Project Planning and Management (Moi University) and currently the Project Co-coordinator for INUKA, working with youth in different ecosystems to upscale and implement different NbS projects according to the IUCN NbS standard criteria to address the climate crisis.
She enjoys taking nature walks/drives, music, and connecting with friends/family.
Rachel Boere
she/her, Canada
Rachel, a settler currently living and working in Tkaronto (Toronto) on the Dish with One Spoon territories, is the Finance Director at Youth4Nature. She is a collaborator, a connector, and a community builder.
After almost a decade of work with community organizations, ENGOs, universities and government, she brings extensive experience in meaningful youth engagement and a robust background in by youth, for youth experience building. Rachel is looking forward to being on the ground at a UNFCCC COP to meaningfully support and care for the Y4N community & friends - something she believes is often missing from these spaces. She is keen to follow themes like climate finance, food systems and youth, to connect with and uplift the the work and stories of fellow youth from around the world, and to support the unique experiences of each member of the Y4N team.