TheCable

Oluwaseun Osowobi, executive director of Stand to End Rape Initiative (STER) and 2019 Commonwealth Young Person of the Year, has been named a global young leader on sustainable development goals (SDGs).

The office of the United Nations secretary-general’s envoy on youth (OSGEY) announced Osowobi’s selection as one of the 17 SDGs young leaders in the 2020 cohort on Thursday.

The young leaders initiative aims to recognise “exceptional young people” who are driving change to help achieve the SDGs.

Jayathma Wickramanayake, UN secretary-general’s envoy on youth, said Osowobi will help engage the youth in realising the SDGs.

“As a Young Leader for the SDGs, Oluwaseun Ayodeji is invited to support efforts to engage young people in the realisation of the Goals by collaborating with the United Nations on strategic opportunities, and through her existing initiatives and networks,” Wickramanayake said.

“Oluwaseun Ayodeji will also be engaged in UN advocacy efforts, which will offer an opportunity to highlight and complement her existing work.”

The envoy added that despite being disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, young people continue to demonstrate “immense resilience, resourcefulness and leadership in finding innovative solutions to recover better and achieve the SDGs.”

“These young leaders represent the diverse voices of young people from every region of the world, and are collectively responsible for activating millions of young people in support of the SDGs,” Wickramanayake said.

“This group will come together as a community to support efforts to engage young people in the realization of the SDGs both through strategic opportunities with the UN and through their existing initiatives, platforms and networks.”