Five powerful politicians under the age of 35
One Young World reveals five of the world’s most powerful politicians under the age of 35 as part of a non-partisan award to recognize good political work
The recipients of the Politician of the Year Award were announced today by One Young World, the worldwide platform for young leaders that recognizes promotes, and unites the world’s most outstanding activists to create a better world with more responsible and effective leadership.
The non-partisan award honors the world’s leading young politicians who have penetrated the old guard of politics in order to help overcome the low levels of political engagement and rising dissatisfaction with political processes that young people are experiencing around the world.
Around the world, just about 2% of (politicians) parliamentarians are under the age of 35. Despite the fact that over half of the world’s population is under the age of 30, about 30% of parliaments have no MPs under the age of 30.
The yearly prize will be presented in front of 2,000 young leaders from over 196 nations at the One Young World Summit, which will take place in Munich from April 23 to April 26, 2021. Delegates convene at the Summit to discuss global difficulties with world leaders and come up with new solutions to the world’s most urgent problems.
The honorees were picked by a worldwide group of judges representing various political perspectives, with this year’s judges including:
- Thuli Madonsela – former Public Protector and one of the writers of the South African constitution
- Senator Sherry Rehman – the first female leader of the Opposition in Pakistan
- Jan Peter Balkenende – former Prime Minister of the Netherlands
- Tara Houska – tribal attorney and former advisor on Native American Affairs for Bernie Sanders
- Yuriko Koike – current and first female Governor of Tokyo
- Helen Clark – former Prime Minister of New Zealand
The shortlisted candidates for 2020 are all fighting for the rights of young people in their communities and encouraging youth participation in politics.
The young and powerful politicians bringing hope across the globe!
1. Joanah Mamombe (Zimbabwe):
Joanah Mamombe is the country’s youngest female legislator. Joanah is a respected human rights and a gender activist who has shown incredible strength in standing up for her principles. She is a youth member of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Zimbabwe’s largest opposition party.
2. Michael Tubbs (United States):
Michael Tubbs became Stockton’s first African-American mayor and the youngest mayor in US history to represent a city with a population of over 100,000 people when he took office in January 2017. Stockton has gone from being a bankrupt city to being the sixth most fiscally healthy city in the country under his leadership.
3. Erik Marquardt (Germany):
Erik Marquardt represents the German Green Party in the European Parliament. Erik Marquardt is an outspoken supporter of refugee rights, and this year he spent several weeks on the Greek island of Lesvos working to improve the circumstances for refugees in Greek camps. He is one of the founders of the pan-European campaign “Leave No One Behind,” in addition to his political activity.
4. Sarah Elago (The Philippines):
Sarah Elago is a member of the House of Representatives in the Philippines. She is the first female member of the KABATAAN youth party’s list (Filipino for young people). She is the youngest member of the Board of Trustees of the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development, a member of the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights, and serves as an ambassador for various non-profit organizations. She is currently serving her second term and is a member of 12 House Committees.
5. Zarifa Ghafari (Afghanistan):
Zarifa is the first female mayor in Afghanistan’s history. She is the mayor of Maydan Wardak Province. She is also in head of the female division of the Independent Journalists Association, where she has worked to ensure the safety, security, and rights of women journalists both overseas and within the country.
Former Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende speaks about the need for young, forceful politicians, saying, “The entire globe has been confronted with the dreadful consequences of COVID-19.” The Coronavirus is still being fought. In this regard, we must work together. But we must also consider fresh thoughts, viewpoints, and solutions in order to achieve a better society and a more sustainable future. It’s critical to get input from youthful leaders!”
