Global Society Institute opens the door to youth leadership
- Editorial Team SDG17
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Institutional credibility today is increasingly measured by who is invited into decision making, and at what stage. For organisations engaged in global society, sustainability and democratic resilience, governance models that exclude younger generations risk becoming structurally outdated. The Global Society Institute’s decision to establish a Youth Advisory Board reflects a strategic recalibration, one that treats youth insight as a core input to policy design and evaluation, rather than a symbolic afterthought.
Integrating youth perspectives early in project development has been shown to improve adaptability, reduce generational blind spots and enhance social legitimacy. Younger leaders bring direct experience of digital transformation, educational disruption and shifting labour markets, all of which shape the long term success of global initiatives. This approach aligns closely with the inclusive governance principles underpinning SDG 16, particularly the call for accountable and participatory institutions.
A new generation advising global action
The GSI Youth Advisory Board operates as a one year volunteer mandate, meeting once per trimester with a representative of the board of directors. Its remit is deliberately practical. Members assess the progress and relevance of ongoing projects and jointly produce directive texts that are submitted directly to the board. This mechanism ensures that youth perspectives are embedded within formal decision making processes, rather than consulted retrospectively.
The founding members represent a broad range of academic disciplines, cultural backgrounds and civic experiences, reflecting the complexity of the challenges GSI seeks to address.
Mohamed Ben Mussa Hamed, 20, is the first Coordinator of the Board. Mohamed is a student of international trade with a growing focus on political science and global society initiatives. He is actively developing youth workshops on democratic participation and has taken part in international training programmes on intercultural dialogue in Norway, Italy, Bulgaria and Spain. His contribution sits at the intersection of economics, governance and civic education, offering insight into how trade and political participation shape social cohesion.
Alba Rodriguez, 17, brings experience from both school and municipal level governance, serving on her student council and local board of education. Alongside her civic engagement, she is a scuba diver and musician, interests that inform her sensitivity to environmental and cultural issues. Alba intends to study the convergence of biology and technology, with a focus on robotics and prosthetics, positioning her to contribute perspectives on innovation, health and ethical design.
Fabio Parzych, 17, is a multilingual science student and an elected representative in his school government. He has participated in international youth leadership programmes in Italy and Bulgaria, where he developed skills in collaboration and cross cultural dialogue. Planning to study nautical engineering, Fabio brings attention to maritime systems, sustainable transport and the future of marine infrastructure.
Santiago Santos, 16, is a Spanish Canadian student with interests in mathematics, data analysis and economic systems. Selected to represent Andalucia in the Ruta Quetzal programme, he has demonstrated early leadership and academic promise. His ambition to study mathematics supports a strong analytical approach, valuable for evidence based evaluation and long term strategic thinking.
Noor Aghbaria, 23, contributes advanced technical and organisational expertise. A computer scientist, activist and community leader, she works as a community coordinator for Tech2Peace and is a former Model United Nations delegate. With professional experience in logistics and project management, Noor adds operational insight into how complex initiatives are planned, executed and scaled.
Youth governance as a strategic necessity
The structure and composition of the GSI Youth Advisory Board signal a shift in how leadership is understood, from age based hierarchy to competence based contribution. Comparative studies on youth engagement indicate that advisory bodies with diverse educational and cultural profiles are better equipped to identify emerging risks and opportunities, particularly in fast evolving technological and social contexts.
By formally recognising members through public profiles, certification and professional support, GSI reinforces the principle that youth participation carries professional and civic value. More importantly, it demonstrates a commitment to inclusive governance that moves beyond consultation towards shared responsibility.
As institutions adapt to increasing complexity and public scrutiny, models that integrate younger generations into governance structures may prove essential, not only for future relevance, but for present day effectiveness.
Further reading on youth participation and global governance is available at
