Emmanuel Godliving Minja
Emmanuel is an emerging force in conservation and climate action from Tanzania, leading multiple youth initiatives with innovation and determination. He is the elected President of the Tanzanian chapter of the World Youth Parliament for Water, where he leads initiatives driving sustainable water management through youth’s capacity, drive and manifesto. He is the first Tanzanian to enrol on the Masters of Science in Water Science, Policy, and Management from the University of Oxford, UK. He currently works at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in Tanzania. Previously, Emmanuel held elevating roles, including Environment Programs Lead at a UK-based youth-led network, the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust and interning with IUCN as Restoration Connector for Africa. Other noteworthy achievements include his coordination of UNESCO’s MAB Youth Network in Rwanda when he worked with UNESCO’s National Commission for Rwanda and winning an award at the XV World Forest Congress in Seoul, Korea, in 2022. Emmanuel's academic journey began with a BA (Hons.) in Global Challenges, where his research explored water resources' pivotal role in addressing global issues. His work and dedication are exemplary and noteworthy among his peers, he has been invited to present at regional events in Africa to global stages such as the 2023 Water and WASH Futures Conference in Australia.
"It has always been an enlivening experience working alongside fellow young people across the world. I am privileged to have worked with young people from different backgrounds, cultures and at different capacities. I have led initiatives for and by youth, I have collaborated with multiple youth organisations and initiatives and initiated a couple of youth-serving initiatives along the way as well. For the past 7 years of active engagement with young people, I have been stimulated by the effect of youth drive in creating sustainable and fundamental change for communities around us. On well well-being of youth specifically, I look at it as looking out for the cornerstone of a community’s collective future. The well-being of youth ensures the well-being of our future communities. This is one of the reasons I am excited and eager to advocate for youth active awareness and participation in well-being initiatives. I am inspired by local youth-led initiatives that gs beyond and above to bring government and non-government partners, including grassroots to work together for the well-being of young Tanzanians. As Franklin Roosevelt once said, “We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.” I believe investing in the youth’s well-being is a good capital for building youth who are ready to build a sustainable future.”