Youth Changemakers Forum at the United Nations Vienna Showcases Youth Leadership and Cross-Generational Collaboration

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Vienna, Austria – The Youth Changemakers Forum (YCF) successfully convened an Intergenerational Forum at the United Nations Vienna, highlighting the power of youth engagement in shaping sustainable development and policy-making. Organized by the European Network of Filipino Diaspora (ENFiD), the Women’s Federation for World Peace International (WFWPI), and the United Nations Correspondents Association Vienna (UNCAV), the event gathered young leaders, diplomats, academics, and civil society representatives to foster meaningful dialogue on youth participation in global decision-making.

The Forum featured an esteemed lineup of speakers, including Dr. Jane Gerardo-Abaya, President of PACES; Dipl Ingr. Abdalla Sharief, president of UNCAV; Consul General Zoilo A. Velasco, Deputy Head of Mission of the Philippine Embassy in Vienna; and Mag. Dr. Heide Steigenberger, Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research.

A key highlight was the active participation of students from a school in Slovakia, Spojená škola, led by Ms. Lubica Magnusson, President of WFWP Slovakia, who through a 3 minute thesis segment, shared their perspectives on sustainability and youth-driven initiatives. Veronika Vaňová (15) and Mária Kapková (17) discussed the pressing issues related to food consumption and chemical production, sharing their research on SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). They highlighted the importance of minimizing food waste, stressing that “when we waste food, we also waste all the resources used to produce it.” Meanwhile, Diana Běčáková (15) focused on SDG 4 (Quality Education), underscoring its continued significance. She acknowledged that while free education is widely available, “it should also maintain a certain level of quality.”

The event also celebrated the invaluable contributions of volunteers from ENFiD-Czech Republic, whose dedication ensured the forum’s success, as well as the unwavering support of ENFiD leaders and partners across Europe.

Kudos to the Brilliant Minds Behind the Forum

A special tribute goes to Andy Peñafuerte III, an Independent Journalist and the brilliant mind behind the Youth Changemakers Forum. As the conceptual architect of this initiative, Andy worked tirelessly and humbly behind the scenes, ensuring that the forum took shape and became a meaningful platform for youth engagement. His passion, vision, and commitment to amplifying young voices are commendable.

Equally instrumental was Marison Rodriguez, Chair of ENFiD-Czech Republic, who served as an invaluable adviser to the forum. Andy and Marison formed an indefatigable tandem worthy of emulation, bringing their expertise, dedication, and leadership to make this event a resounding success.

The Moderators: Amplifying Voices and Driving Impactful Conversations

The forum’s success was also shaped by the dynamic and insightful moderators, who guided discussions and ensured that key issues were tackled effectively:

Daisy Whitby, Volunteer Coordinator at Fresh Futures, moderated “Learning for Global Impact: Connecting Skills to Community Development,” helping participants critically reflect on their academic privilege and responsibility in sustainable development.
Jay-vee Marasigan Pangan, Independent Multimedia Journalist, led “Now’s the Time: Translating SDG Gains and Lessons for Generation Beta,” engaging participants in bridging media, education, and activism to amplify SDG initiatives. Panelists in this segment were Jacob Sule, founder of iReadtoLive Initiative, and Daisy Whitby, volunteer coordinator at Fresh Futures.
Dr. Reysa Alenzuela, Head Librarian at the Oriental Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, moderated “Celebrating Research Excellence and Societal Impact,” inspiring young researchers to pursue high-quality, community-driven research for societal change. The segment featured the academic and professional projects of Veronika Ebner, a PhD student from the University of Vienna’s Department of Communication, along with journalist-filmmakers Halime Akturk and Ron David Butler

Through the fireside chat, inspirational speeches, and “3-Minute Thesis” presentations, the Forum created a space for young professionals and students to showcase their research and solutions in climate action, ecological protection, digital discourse, and community resilience. Participants engaged in thought-provoking discussions on how youth can shape policies, maximize media influence, and create lasting impact through research and advocacy.

Listening to young voices filled with passion and commitment was a powerful reminder that this is just the beginning. This conversation will hopefully lead to future collaborations, shared advocacies, and collective action toward a safer, better world.

For more information, visit Youth Changemakers Forum.

Photos: Hala Abd El Mouatti, Joey Santiago

About the Author

Maria Zelda “Marizel” Rojas is a Board Member of the United Nations Correspondents Association Vienna (UNCAV), Chairperson of the European Network of Filipino Diaspora-Austria (ENFiD-Austria) and a current ENFiD Board Member. She is also the 1^st Vice President of the United Nations Women’s Guild (UNWG), Founding Member and former President of the Philippine Austrian Cultural and Educational Society (PACES), Adviser and former President of the Vienna International Centre Club Filipino (VIC CF), Liaison for the Philippines and Councillor in the European Police Association (EPA), and a member of the Filipina Women’s Network (FWN).