Speaker


Heela Yoon

Founder and Director, Afghan Youth Ambassadors for Peace Organization / 2022 UN SDG Young Leader

Speaker


Heela Yoon is a 25 years old peacebuilders and educational activist from Afghanistan. She stands at the forefront of peacebuilding, gender equality, and humanitarian intervention, having established her reputation as a visionary and strategic leader. As the founder of the Afghan Youth Ambassadors for Peace Organization (AYAPO), Heela's commitment to peace, especially in Afghanistan's Eastern provinces, is underscored by her focus on United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 2250.Through AYAPO, she has pioneered transformative initiatives, imparting invaluable training to over 100 young girls across Nangarhar, Laghman, and Kabul, enhancing their capacities in gender equality, leadership, and crisis response. Her engagement extends to community leaders, including religious and tribal figures, where she consistently advocates for the education of Afghan girls, emphasizing the critical role of grassroots dialogue.With over half a decade of dedicated service in humanitarian and human rights sectors, Heela's experience spans globally recognized organizations. As a Cora Weiss Peacebuilding Fellow at the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP), she played a pivotal role in operationalizing Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) and Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) agendas across Myanmar, Bangladesh, and The Philippines. Before her tenure with GNWP, she adeptly coordinated programs for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Afghanistan.Academically, Heela holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Kabul University, another in Business Administration from the American University of Afghanistan, and furthered her expertise with a Master's in International Trade and Finance in the UK, as a distinguished Chevening Scholar. Professionally, she has contributed as a Research Consultant at Amnesty International and honed her skills as a trainee at Oxfam GB.Her influence resonates on global platforms. Heela was the Civil Society representative at the 64th Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations in 2020. Her leadership prowess has garnered accolades, notably being recognized as an emerging peacemaker by the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice. Furthermore, she's a selected member of the 30 for 2030 Youth Leadership initiative by U.N Women, and her dedication to global development has been honored by both the United Nations and the Office of the Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth, as a Young Leader for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Additionally, she is celebrated as a UK Youth Leader by the Global Partnership for Education.Heela's current endeavors see her championing integration initiatives as an Integration Officer with the International Rescue Committee, further underlining her unwavering commitment to creating positive global change.

Program 2023
14:15 15:00
Stage B
11/11/2023
Panel
Their Future, Their Voice: the power of youth in tackling today’s challenges
Addressing inequalities and accelerating SDGs
11:00 11:45
Stage C
11/11/2023
Panel
Youth Peace and Security – What Role for the EU?
Crafting peace and building a safer world