AFS Intercultural Programs has partnered with AstraZeneca, through its Young Health Programme (YHP), to award scholarships for young leaders from around the world to join the Climate Entrepreneurship Academy at the AFS Youth Assembly (August 2024 in New York City).
With these scholarships, AstraZeneca aims to empower young leaders who are tackling pressing climate issues that impact health, build more resilient health systems, and improve equitable access to healthcare.
Meet the Scholarship Winners
Seven scholarship winners were selected in a rigorous process from more than 3,100 applicants from 150 countries. The scholarship winners include:
- Abdullajon Rasulov, Uzbekistan, is currently studying at the University of Arizona (USA), majoring in Political Science and Economics. Driven by a passion for climate resilience and public health, Abdullajon leads projects addressing the environmental and health impacts of the Aral Sea crisis. His work focuses on sustainable water management, mobile health units, and community education. Through innovative solutions and advocacy, Abdullajon aims to improve health outcomes and build resilient communities in his homeland.
- Alpamys Yechshanov, Kazakhstan, is a graphic designer and creative enthusiast. In addition to pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design at St. John’s University (USA), he actively volunteers and creates impactful projects addressing food insecurity and promoting sustainability.
- Dr. Charles Umeh, Nigeria, is an accomplished Medical Doctor and Public Health Expert with a specialty in Telemedicine. With more than eight years of experience, he is a proactive advocate for family planning and operates the innovative “Parkers Mobile Clinic,” enhancing healthcare in Eastern Nigeria. His current work focuses on integrating digital technology with healthcare delivery to improve accessibility, climate resilience and efficiency. Dr. Umeh aspires to globally expand his digital health projects to revolutionize patient care.
- Henrietta Frances Wood, United Kingdom, a gender and climate justice advocate and student who researches problems faced by women and girls, particularly regarding their Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, and advocates for decision-makers to develop climate policy which prioritizes women’s health. She encourages businesses to provide free, sustainable menstrual products to employees, and volunteers for organizations such as YOUNGO where she has delivered speeches at the likes of COP26, calling for gender, health, and climate justice.
- Justin Langan, Canada, an Indigenous activist, leader and member of many local, provincial, and national committees. In 2023, Justin founded the federal non-profit O’KANATA, which provides educational and employment support to Indigenous Youth across Canada. Some of his achievements include the 2021 Métis Youth Indspire Award, the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award, the Top 25 Environmentalists Under 25, the National Champion of Mental Health for Youth, and more.
- Shomy Hasan Chowdhury, Bangladesh, an award-winning Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) activist and the Co-Founder of the global non-profit Awareness 360. Her notable recognitions include Forbes 30 Under 30, President’s Volunteer Service Award (Gold) by President Barack Obama, Putra Icon Award, and The Diana Legacy Award. Shomy holds a Master’s in Global Affairs from Tsinghua University (China), as a Schwarzman Scholar, one of the most competitive graduate scholarships in the world.
- Suraya Rahim, Afghanistan, an asylum seeker and female engineer pursuing a master’s in sustainable engineering at the University of Pittsburgh (USA). With a strong academic background and hands-on experience in environmental research and humanitarian work, Suraya is passionate about driving pragmatic policy solutions for global health and environmental sustainability.
“The climate crisis is the largest public health crisis of our time,” said Liz Chatwin, Vice President, Sustainability and Global Safety, Health & Environment (SHE) at AstraZeneca. “Young leaders play an indispensable role in developing creative, innovative solutions to address this urgent challenge. We have much to learn from the next generation when it comes to creating more equitable, sustainable health systems – now and in the future.”
Empowering Future Climate Entrepreneurs
All scholarship winners will attend the Climate Entrepreneurship Academy, a specialized program track at the AFS Youth Assembly, happening from August 14 – 18, 2024 in New York City. The Educational content is delivered by the New York University (NYU) – School of Professional Studies Center for Global Affairs.
This Academy offers a comprehensive experience with a series of seminars, organization site visits and exclusive special events to facilitate learning, connection, engagement on issues relevant to young climate entrepreneurs. Participants in the Climate Entrepreneurship Academy will learn from renowned faculty from the NYU SPS Center for Global Affairs to:
- Gain first-hand and theoretical knowledge of founding, financing, and growing a startup in climate change-focused sectors
- Receive an intensive, hands-on entrepreneurship education covering a range topics, including health
- Get a leadership training and build a network of like-minded individuals and mentors
A Global Platform for Young Leaders
The AFS Youth Assembly is a global platform that cultivates an international network of young leaders and changemakers through exchange, education, action and impact. It is one of the world’s largest youth events focused on the UN Sustainable Development Goals with more than 20,000 alumni from 160 countries since 2004. In 2024, the event will gather hundreds of young leaders between the ages of 18 and 32 from around the world under the theme “Forge Our Shared Future.”
According to Daniel Obst, President & CEO of AFS Intercultural Programs, “We are thrilled to partner with AstraZeneca for the 2024 AFS Youth Assembly, as a way to strengthen the impact of young people in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This collaboration is grounded in our shared belief that it’s critically important to empower young leaders through inclusive and equitable global platforms, such as the Youth Assembly.”
In 2023, one in four Delegates attended the AFS Youth Assembly with a scholarship or financial support. The goal of the event organizers is to continue providing scholarships at this rate or higher, in order to make the AFS Youth Assembly as inclusive and equitable as possible for young people worldwide. Prominent past partners include bp, DHL, Scwartzman Scholars, the Stanley Ho Foundation and AKCG Public Relations Counselors. Find out more about possibilities to partner with the AFS Youth Assembly.
Applications and more information about the AFS Youth Assembly are available at www.youthassembly.org.
For more information about AstraZeneca’s Young Health Programme (YHP), please visit yhp.astrazeneca.com.