Bio: Victoria Quaynor is a dedicated youth activist with extensive experience in international development and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Her commitment is focused on improving the lives of children and youth in marginalised communities. Victoria's passion particularly lies in adolescent reproductive health and rights, empowering girls to make informed and healthy decisions about their lives and bodies. Her dedication to this cause is not just fuelled by her firm belief in ensuring young individuals have the necessary knowledge and agency to shape their futures, but also by her unwavering hope for a better future. She is also an environmental sustainability enthusiast and has actively participated in numerous projects promoting sustainable development. Victoria's notable achievements are a testament to her dedication and hard work. She has served as a Youth Leaders Fellow with UNFPA Ghana in 2021, a Generations Unlimited Youth Ambassador in 2020, a U-Report Champion for Ghana in 2020, a Global Changemaker in 2019, a networking and Outreach Associate with HCDExchange, a member of the Young Women HIV prevention council, and a youth advisory board member of the U’Good project. She is an MA student specialising in Children, Youth, and International Development at Brunel University London. Her work exemplifies the transformative power of meaningful youth engagement, inspiring others to join the movement for a brighter and more equitable future for all.
“Working with young people has been a journey of learning and inspiration. I have worked with youth from diverse backgrounds on various issues, including health, education, and empowerment, to mention a few. Engaging them in capacities such as mentorships, training, and facilitating workshops has allowed me to witness firsthand the unique perspectives, creativity, and resilience youth bring. These engagements highlight one crucial thing: youth are in the driving seat, which excites me about working for their well-being. When those confronted with issues are in control of addressing them, it becomes easier to implement the solution to address them. However, this can be made possible with the right support and mentorship. As a youth, I am deeply inspired to contribute to the world through my work to ensure that young people are engaged, supported, and heard. I am particularly excited to see organisations such as Curious Minds leading the way by providing opportunities on radio, TV, and in the community for young people like me to share their views on issues affecting them. This includes advocating for their rights and demanding accountability from the government, where 'government' means everyone who has a stake in creating an equitable world for all, including 'you' reading this." Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The future depends on what we do today” captures my views on relational well-being for young people. This is because when we strive for positive connections and provide support systems now to young people, we lay the foundation for future success. This will mean more investment in the well-being of young people, which will result in them becoming stronger emotional and social beings ready to take on the future. Our actions now to understand and empower young people on their relational well-being will impact communities tomorrow.”