Voice from the youth : "Empowering water change-makers: Youth Advocacy Training"

By Sofia Corradi

In an inspiring stride toward greater youth involvement in global water governance, the Youth Delegates of the World Water Council have launched Empowering Water Changemakers—a dynamic new webinar series aimed at equipping young leaders with the tools and confidence to make a real impact. The first webinar, held on April 25th, 2025, brought together over 120 young participants from diverse regions. This initiative runs in parallel with preparations for the 11th World Water Forum, set to take place in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2027. 

The first session opened with Prof. Eddy Moors, who laid out the building blocks of youth advocacy—urging participants to think beyond physical infrastructure and examine systemic issues like governance and financing. Karishma Asoodani followed with powerful case studies, including the Bali Youth Targets and the #FillUpTheGlass campaign, highlighting the importance of strategic timing, compelling storytelling, and strong alliances.

Closing the session, Prof. Bilge Alpaslan Kocamemi shared actionable insights on youth-led diplomacy and introduced 14 traits of effective youth leadership. Participants then identified key water challenges in their communities and proposed innovative, locally rooted solutions—from nature-based interventions to open-data platforms.

The dialogue highlighted that many young people are sidelined from critical water dialogues due to limited access, lack of mentorship, and unfamiliarity with policy spaces. Even when they reach global platforms, challenges such as low confidence, limited advocacy training, and financial constraints can silence their voices.

This series seeks to bridge those gaps. Designed to strengthen foundational knowledge, enhance understanding of the global water agenda, and sharpen advocacy skills, Empowering Water Changemakers is building a network of informed and motivated young actors. It encourages meaningful engagement not only within the Global Youth Movement for Water but also across broader decision-making forums.