At the 2025 AFS Youth Assembly, Emily Wright from the United Kingdom was awarded the top prize in the “Stories of Change” competition. A signature part of the event, the challenge selects exceptional delegates who have faced adversity and thrived, inviting them to share their compelling narratives on stage. This recognition is special, because the winner is selected based on the votes of all Delegates who visited the SDG Zone, a special youth-led interactive session at the event.
Emily is a passionate advocate for accessibility rights. Emily’s victory was deeply personal. “I was excited to be the first delegate representing the Deaf community and to give others an insight into a minority group that is often forgotten about. It has reinforced my commitment to advocating for the Deaf community and has shown me the incredible potential we all have to make a difference,” she said.
For Emily, the opportunity to speak was as valuable as the award itself. “Just the ability to speak in the final was an incredible opportunity for me as I could bring accessibility to the stage,” she noted. Her story resonated with many, leading to conversations with other attendees who were inspired to make their projects more Deaf-accessible. “It has been amazing to prove that Deaf people can do anything, and we have no boundaries.”
A Global Tapestry of Inspiration
Beyond the competition, Emily found the AFS Youth Assembly to be an incredible networking and learning experience. She personally connected with people from over 50 countries, each with a unique journey.
“I am the sort of person that loves to discover people’s personal backstory and how they got to where they are today and whether they had to overcome any barriers on the way,” she shared. “Every single person had made their own unique journey to becoming a global changemaker, and it was so inspiring and empowering to hear all these stories.”
Advice for Aspiring Changemakers
When asked what advice she would give to other young people, Emily’s message is clear and passionate. She encourages them to find something they are deeply invested in, so that their work never feels like a chore.
She also urges them to think big and be ambitious, stating, “Look at your community and see where there’s not just a gap, but a void to fill. Be ambitious and never settle for the solution that changes the lives of 100 when you can change a million.” Finally, she offered a dose of realism and encouragement: “Change doesn’t come overnight… trust your intuition and continue following your dreams.”
For Emily, the journey through the Stories of Change competition and the AFS Youth Assembly has strengthened her commitment to advocating for the Deaf community. We are excited to see where her work takes her next.