Spotlight

Children Spotlight of the Week: Yola Mgogwana – South Africa’s Youngest Voice for Climate Justice

At just 11 years old, Yola Mgogwana stood before 2,000 people in Cape Town and declared, “Enough. We demand change…

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Spotlight of the Week: Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha — The Pediatrician Who Refused to Look Away

In 2015, the world came face to face with a public health crisis in one of America’s most vulnerable communities:…

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Spotlight of the Week: Mrs. Olubukola Ola Adewuyi

This week, we proudly spotlight a distinguished figure in the African education landscape, Mrs. Olubukola Ola Adewuyi, an accomplished educator,…

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Children Spotlight of the Week: Adhara Pérez Sánchez: The Young Genius Reaching for the Stars

At just 13 years old, Adhara Pérez Sánchez has already accomplished what many can only dream of and she’s only…

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Spotlight for the Week: Dr. Najat Maalla M’jid

On 30 May 2019, the United Nations Secretary-General appointed Dr. Najat Maalla M’jid, a seasoned Moroccan paediatrician, as his Special…

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Children Spotlight of the Week: Benyamin Bamburac: The 14-Year-Old College Graduate Defying All Odds

At just 14 years old, Benyamin Bamburac has already accomplished what many can only dream of, a double degree in…

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Children Spotlight of the Week: Francisco Vera Manzanares — The Young Voice of Environmental Hope

At just 15 years old, Francisco Javier Vera Manzanares from Colombia is already one of the world’s most inspiring young leaders in climate action and children’s rights. With a voice loud enough to echo across borders and a heart rooted deeply in justice and environmental love, Francisco is proof that children are the present. Born on 22 July 2009, Francisco’s journey began at the age of 9 when he founded “Guardians for Life” (Guardianes por la Vida), a movement of children advocating for climate justice, environmental peace, and child rights across Colombia and Latin America. Today, over 450 children are part of this growing collective, each a torchbearer for a healthier planet. His activism, however, goes far beyond local mobilization. Francisco has spoken in the Plenary Session of the Congress of the Republic of Colombia, becoming the first child to formally address the Colombian Senate, demanding policies that protect people, animals, and the environment. In 2021, he also addressed the Constitutional Court of Colombia to emphasize the civic and environmental rights of children, another historic first. Despite his age, Francisco has stood firm against serious threats. In 2021, after advocating for children’s right to education during the pandemic, he received death threats on social media. Rather than back down, Francisco continued his work with even greater resolve. His bravery earned widespread support, including from then-President Iván Duque, who vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. But as Francisco’s mother, Ana Maria Manzanares, poignantly said: “The tranquility and life we had before are not coming back. Trying to hide it doesn’t seem right. What we want is justice.” His efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. Francisco is: A Goodwill Ambassador of the European Union Delegation in Colombia UNICEF’s First Defender of Climate Action for Latin America and the Caribbean Young Champion for the #OurVoiceOurFuture Campaign by the European External Action Service A Children’s Advisor to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child for General Comment No. 26 on climate change An Advisor to the Demoslab Climate Council in Spain In 2023, Francisco was honored at the Young Activists Summit in Geneva by the United Nations for his outstanding efforts to protect our planet. He is also an author. His debut book, “Ask Francisco: What is Climate Change?”, published by Editorial Planeta in 2022, has been translated into Arabic and continues to educate children globally about the climate crisis. Through his Instagram Live series, Conversaciones con Francisco, he connects with changemakers around the world, proving that young voices can shape powerful conversations. He also leads political advocacy through the Ecohope Declaration, a manifesto urging world leaders to prioritize life and urgently decarbonize economies. Francisco’s message is simple but powerful: “Children are not the future, but the present of the world. This generation must be remembered as the one that not only achieved peace among humans but also made peace with nature.” Despite the threats and challenges, Francisco continues to plant seeds of eco-hope across Colombia and beyond Proving that courage, clarity, and compassion can thrive in even the youngest of hearts.

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Spotlight of the Week: Dr. Denis Mukwege

Born on March 1, 1955, in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denis Mukwege grew up the son of a Pentecostal…

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Spotlight of the Week: Dr. Toyin Ajayi

Be seen. Be heard. Be healthy.” — The mantra that drives Dr. Toyin Ajayi’s mission to revolutionize healthcare for underserved…

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Children Spotlight of the Week: Kanyechukwu Tagbo-Okeke – The 15-Year-Old Nigerian Autistic Artist Breaking Boundaries with a Guinness World Record

In a world that often underestimates the potential of individuals with autism, Kanyechukwu Tagbo-Okeke, fondly known as Kanye, is redefining…

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