The sixth edition of this inspiring event to recognize the outstanding work of young activists around the world took place on Tuesday (Tuesday 19 November) at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
At the conference, five young world leaders including Sohan were honored with the Young Activist Summit 2024 Laureate Award for their outstanding leadership.
The Young Activists Summit honored five inspiring young people aged 19 to 29, including Bangladeshi climate activist Sohanur Rahman, for inspiring and mobilizing their respective communities for meaningful change.
Other winners are Marley Dias, 19, US (Black representation in media); Shanley McLaren, 25, France (online gender-based violence); Alvaro Quiroz, 25, Mexico (helping the homeless); and Cynthia Houniuhi, 29, Solomon Islands (climate change and human rights).
Sohanur Rahman spoke for climate justice on behalf of Bangladesh alongside notable changemakers around the world, and he delivered his powerful speech in Bengali at the conference.
This year's theme for the summit, 'Go Away, Go Together' beautifully highlights the power of collective action to bring about meaningful change.
Since its inception in 2019, the Young Activist Summit has served as a platform to empower and connect young changemakers committed to protecting human rights and protecting the environment.
Sohanur dedicated this award to all the young fighters martyred and injured in the July-August Revolution, along with his brave colleague Shravan, and to all the tireless climate warriors who strive every day to make this world a better, more beautiful place.
Congratulating Sohanur Rahman on receiving the European Union Young Activist Summit 2024 Laureate award, he said, 'The world and Bangladesh need young changemakers like Sohanur Rahman.'
The European Union is committed to building a sustainable, equitable and inclusive future for Bangladeshi youth, the EU said.
Sohanur Rahman has been nominated as the EU Ambassador to Bangladesh to work on climate justice with his organization Youthnet, the EU said.
During his stay in Geneva, Sohanur met EU Ambassador Lotte Knudsen, Head of the EU Delegation to the United Nations in Geneva. He also held discussions with EU representatives and young professionals from EU member state missions.
Sohanur Rahman witnessed the devastating effects of climate change on his coastal community and decided to take action to combat it.
As Executive Coordinator of YouthNet Global, she advocates for climate justice—empowering youth, amplifying the voices of her communities, and leading grassroots campaigns that inspire global change.
Sohan founded Youthnet for Climate Justice in 2016 to raise awareness about climate issues among the younger generation.
In 2019, a campaign led by YouthNet led the Parliament of Bangladesh to declare the climate crisis a global emergency. Youthnet also helped stop the construction of 10 coal plants.
Recently, Sohanur and his team played a key role in the student-led July-August mass movement for greater democracy in Bangladesh. Sohanu continues to push for prioritizing climate action on the interim government's agenda.
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