Kectil World Youth Network

Speaker: Lenaa KumarHost: Ashwathy VenugopalSupport the show

Speaker: Lenaa KumarHost: Ashwathy VenugopalSupport the show

Speakers: Christelle BarakatHost: Ashwathy VenugopalDescription:In this deeply moving episode, we speak with Christelle Barakat, a youth leader and Kectil Global Board Member from Lebanon, who shares what it truly means to grow up in the shadow of war. From daily life amid conflict and economic crisis to navigating fear, identity, and hope—this conversation goes beyond headlines to reveal the human side of Lebanon today. Listen to her unpacking the ground realities of living in constant uncertainty, battling with what she terms as ‘negative peace’.Through personal stories, reflections on history, and honest insights on resilience, Christelle offers a rare glimpse into the strength of a generation living through uncertainty, yet refusing to lose hope.Support the show

In this episode of the Kectil Podcast, we recorded a meaningful conversation with two inspiring youth leaders from the Northwest Region of Cameroon who are actively working within communities affected by the ongoing Anglophone Crisis. Through their personal experiences and professional work, they share insights into how the crisis began, how it continues to shape the lives of young people, and the challenges communities face in areas such as education, security, and economic stability. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the realities youth live with in conflict-affected regions, while also hearing powerful stories of resilience, leadership, and grassroots efforts aimed at promoting dialogue, peacebuilding, and opportunities for the next generation.Speaker 1 :  Ngong Anita Ngeh Speaker 2 : Akem AureliaHost : Nabila AbbasSupport the show

Daliya and Darina are one of the youngest KECTIL colleagues of 2026Daliya Kossanova | Co-Founder & CEODaliya serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the KOREM project. As a high school student with a deep-seated passion for technology, she focuses on the intersection of technical innovation and human-centric design. Her leadership is driven by a commitment to creating practical solutions that tangibly improve quality of life.Darina | Co-Founder & CMODarina is the Chief Marketing Officer and a high school senior. She oversees the strategic outreach and advocacy for the project. Her work is motivated by a dedication to social support and a vision for a more inclusive world, ensuring that KOREM’s technological advancements reach the communities that need them most.The KOREM project is a social-impact technology venture focused on enhancing independence for the visually impaired. The organization has developed an intelligent mobile application designed to replace traditional navigation aids—such as canes and guide dogs—with cutting-edge digital solutions.By leveraging artificial intelligence and computer vision, the app provides a comprehensive navigation alternative, aiming to eliminate the insecurity and mobility barriers often faced by the blind and low-vision community.Support the show

Sherry M. Knowles, Founder and Executive Director of the Kectil Program. In this special session, Sherry will share her personal journey to leadership, reflecting on the challenges, lessons, and principles that have shaped her path.As Kectil leaders, this is a unique opportunity to gain valuable insights on resilience, personal growth, and the impact of strong leadership. This session will offer both inspiration and practical takeaways for your own leadership journey.Support the show

In this special group episode of the Kectil World Youth Network Podcast, host Nabila Abbas brings together the top three Kectil Community Project winners—Favour (Nigeria), Fatima (Afghanistan), and Collin (Uganda)—for a powerful shared conversation on youth-led change. From breaking mental health stigma and empowering women in restrictive contexts to fighting child hunger through sustainable school gardens, this episode explores how young leaders are turning local challenges into impactful solutions. An honest, inspiring dialogue on leadership, resilience, and what it truly takes to create change—starting right where you are.Speakers : 1-  ASINGYA COLLIN, UGANDA/ 2-  Fatima Abdullahi, Afghanistan / 3- FAVOUR OSARETIN EVBUOMWAN, NIGERIASupport the show

Host: Ashwathy VenugopalAbout speakerFull name: Veronika KonykCountry: UkraineShort bio: Veronika Konyk is a young innovator, leader, and founder of the HealthyHeart AI. She is a Paris Collaborative Global Fellow 2025. She has also been recognized as a winner of international and national competitions. Veronika is a researcher at the New York Academy of Sciences and the Junior Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.HealthyHeart AI - an AI-powered platform designed to empower individuals to understand, monitor, and manage their cardiovascular health. The system leverages machine learning and deep learning algorithms to analyze user-inputted data, forecast the likelihood of cardiovascular risks, detect early warning signs, and provide personalized recommendations. It is designed to be simple, fast, and accessible to everyone, making critical health information easy to understand and act upon.Support the show

In this episode of the Kectil Youth Network Podcast, host Nabila Abbas sits down with Marie, a 16-year-old high school student from Vanadzor, Armenia, who is already making waves through her community projects and youth advocacy. Together, they explore Marie’s journey into sociology, her initiative “Let’s Talk About It” for teenage girls, and her vision for empowering rural youth in Armenia. Through this heartfelt conversation, Marie shares how culture, community, and curiosity shape her generation’s path toward creating a better future.Host Full Name: Nabila AbbasSpeaker Name: Marie AvetisyanSupport the show

Name of the speaker: Cojitha SenanayakeHost: Ashwathy VenugopalSupport the show

In this gripping episode, we spotlight the ongoing youth-led protests in Kenya, where peaceful demonstrations have been met with brutal force and gunshots—leaving dozens of young people dead and hundreds wounded. Our guest, a youth activist and KECTIL Kenya Chapter leader, joins us to unpack the root causes of the movement, the role of digital resistance, the tragic toll of police violence, and how young Kenyans are turning grief into a demand for justice, leadership, and long-term development. Also joined by another young speaker from Kenya who will take us from the streets to the strategy rooms, this episode is a raw and real conversation on resistance, resilience, and the future of youth in Kenya.Speaker 1 : Wycliffe GuguniSpeaker 2: Edward KipkalyaHost name : Nabila AbbasSupport the show

In this episode, we speak with Khaled Emam, a human rights lawyer from Egypt and the founder of Justice Call. With deep experience in global governance, peacebuilding, and youth empowerment, Khaled shares his journey from local advocacy to advising international institutions. He discusses the challenges facing youth in the MENA region, the importance of democratic institutions, and how young people can drive justice and lasting change from the ground up.Speaker's full name: Khaled EmamHost full name: Nabila AbbasSupport the show

Speaker: Reminah VincentHost: Ashwathy VenugopalSupport the show

Speaker : Artur KoldomasovIn this episode, we sit down with Artur Koldomasov, a Ukrainian political and media analyst, activist, and recipient of the Young Diplomat Award 2023. A graduate of Journalism and Social Communication from the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Artur shares his powerful perspective on the ongoing war in Ukraine, the everyday reality of youth living in conflict, and the geopolitical significance of his country.We explore how the war has reshaped education, mobility, activism, and identity among young Ukrainians, and what the world must understand about Ukraine's struggle and resilience. This is a raw, thoughtful, and timely conversation with one of Ukraine’s bright and determined young voices.🎧 Listen now and hear a story the headlines rarely tell.#Ukraine #UkrainianYouth #YouthVoices #ArturKoldomasov #ConflictZone #YouthLeadership #Geopolitics #WarAndHope #PodcastEpisode #Activism #YoungDiplomat #VoicesFromUkraineSupport the show

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This episode introduces the Male Promise Keeper series with a conversation that defines harmful practices: early marriage, teenage pregnancy, FGM, gender violence, discontinuity from education and femicide. The conversation emphasizes why male involvement is crucial in tackling harmful practices and the role men can play in ending harmful practices against girls and women while diving into understanding masculinity: how traditional ideas about masculinity often perpetuate harmful practices and how they can be redefined for positive change. The guests elaborate on the Importance of men being allies in the fight for gender equality by responding to the questions.Support the show

In this latest episode of the Kectil Youth Network Podcast, we take you to the heart of the Caucasus with an eye-opening conversation on Armenia’s Crossroads of Peace 🌍✨ Join our host, Nabila Abbas, and young Armenian speaker Edvard as they explore Armenia’s stunning landscape, rich culture, and its bold vision for regional stability. With deep-rooted conflicts and unresolved tensions shaping its borders, can Armenia pave the way for lasting peace? Tune in now to uncover the challenges, hopes, and possibilities! 🎧 #KectilPodcast #YouthVoices #Peacebuilding #ConflictAndResolutionHost Name : Nabila AbbasSpeaker name : Edvard Grigoryan from ArmeniaSupport the show

We’re excited to release our latest episode of the Kectil Youth Network Podcast! This time, we explore the crucial topic of gender equality and the fight against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Kenya. Our guest, a passionate young activist, shares her powerful story and insights into the cultural roots of FGM, its impact on girls and women, and the ongoing efforts to eradicate this harmful practice. Tune in to hear about the role of education, advocacy, and community collaboration in building a future of equality and justice. Don’t miss this inspiring and eye-opening conversation!Support the show

In Part 2 of our podcast series on Lebanon, titled Israel's Bombardment: Lebanon Under Attack, Legal Perspectives on Conflict, Humanitarian Crisis, and the Role of Hezbollah and Hamaswe delve deeper into the current humanitarian crisis with our expert guest, Christelle Barakat. With a strong background in law and conflict studies, Christelle offers insights into the legal aspects of the conflict, the severe humanitarian impacts, and the international response to the ongoing violence. This episode sheds light on the controversial roles of Hezbollah and Hamas, examining how their actions are viewed by different communities, while also addressing the hopes and concerns of Lebanese youth for a peaceful future. Through Christelle’s expertise, we explore the complexities of international law and human rights issues facing Lebanon and discuss what meaningful actions and diplomatic responses could look like to address the suffering and build toward stability.Host name: Nabila AbbasSpeaker Name:   Christelle Barakat. from LebanonSupport the show

Host name : Nabila Abbas Speaker name : Sinette abi zeidfrom from Lebanon. About the speaker : Sinette is a 17- year- old senior high school student who plans to pursue a higher education in economics, which is driven by her ambition and love for learning. She wants to influence countries with economic policies and believes she has a unique perspective that sets her apart from many.Please listen to our new episode, Lebanon under attack : A youth perspective on Israel's bombardment & different group's escalation causing Major conflict in Lebanon  where we delve into the harsh realities of life for young people in Lebanon during the ongoing conflict with Israel. In this episode, we explore the impact of daily bombings, the struggles of coping with war, and the resilience of Lebanon's youth. We discuss the historical background of the conflict, the consequences for society, and the uncertain future of the country, all through the eyes of a young person living through this turmoil. Don’t miss this powerful conversation about survival, resistance, and hope.Support the show

Today, we’re honored to have Artur Koldomasov as our guest to discuss one of the most pressing global issues—the ongoing war in Ukraine. Artur is a Research Associate at the Global Governance Institute, where he focuses on diplomacy, conflict resolution, and global governance. With a background in international politics, Artur brings extensive knowledge of geopolitical dynamics, having worked closely with leading think tanks and research institutes across Europe.In this interview, Artur offers his in-depth analysis of the Ukraine conflict, its geopolitical implications, and what the future holds for the region. We explore key topics such as:- The current state of the war and its evolving phases.- The role of Ukraine’s military and civil resistance.- Western support and the potential shifts in attitude toward Ukraine.- The prospects of a diplomatic solution and the influence of non-Western powers, including China and India.Artur also shares his insights on the long-term humanitarian and reconstruction needs for Ukraine, as well as the lessons the international community can learn to prevent future crises.Support the show

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Speaker: Madlen DokhoyanHost: Ashwathy VenugopalTitle: Voice of Armenian Youth: Navigating Challenges and Pursuing DreamsSupport the show

Episode 5 - Shocking Truths About the 'Nigerian Kidnapping Industry' - Youth Perspectives From South & North NigeriaSpeaker: Malik Mujeli, Oludipe Taiwo OyindamolaHost: Ashwathy VenugopalSupport the show

Haiti in Crisis: Navigating Gang Violence and Political TurmoilSpeakers full name : Speaker 1:Roody JOSEPH , Speaker 2: Blayter JOSEPHHost full name : Nabila AbbasSupport the show

Title: "Two Nations, One Origin: Voices from Sudan and South SudanSpeakers: Peter Emmanuel Justin (South Sudan) and Noon Mohamed Alialgabali (Sudan)Host Full name: Nabila AbbasSupport the show

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Please give this podcast 5 stars on apple podcasts and Spotify!Support the show

Join Cruz Collin, Wanapheya Tolman, and Corice Lieb as they discuss how the colonization of North America has not only affected them but their ancestors and how it's led them to where they are today.Support the show

Ever thought of having a taste of horse milk or meat? Whether yes or no, you will surely be intrigued to learn about the rich nation- Kazakhstan! It is the largest landlocked country and one with the longest boarder in the world, spanning more than 7,500 kilometers with Russia to the North, the Caspian Sea to the south-west, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic to the south, and China to the east. The name Kazakh translates to independent wanderer. This speaks to the nation’s ancient history as nomads and the deep-rooted spirit of independence in Kazakh culture. Join our conversation with Fatima Baimakhanova as she takes us through an exploratory conversation about her country Kazakhstan including their youth, culture, politics, economy, religion, education and diplomatic relation with other countries. Support the show

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Join us as we take you through the leadership journey of Dr. Favor Ikhile, a dentist from Nigeria, who developed the passion to provide mentoring solutions to youth all around the world. Dr. Favor takes us through his own experiences of breaking out against all odds and challenging himself to apply for programs that at first seemed far from his reach but later became part of his leadership growth. He takes us through the processes that enabled him to connect with young leaders from diverse professional backgrounds and how he got selected to participate in the Kectil program Atlanta conference of 2023! Tune in.Support the show

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Wycliffe and his Guest who is a Nigeria native discuss the current elections going on and how they affect the everyday citizens.Support the show

On this episode we have host Ashwathy Venugopal and guest Hein "Ray" Oo from Myanmar expressing not only what it's like for people in his home country, but what it's like for the youth during this time.Support the show

As much as Indigenous people make up only an estimated 5% of the world's population, they have different backgrounds, cultures, and traditions. They often have a shared history of being uprooted and forced from their ancestral lands. Listen in as Wankatuya Keya aka Cruz Collin takes Daniel through the native American's story, explaining how the community members face marginalization and discrimination, including being prevented or denied the ability to live their traditions, express their cultures, and even speak their language!Indigenous populations, often also referred to as Indigenous peoples, are distinct cultural and social groups that share ancestral connections to lands where they live or peoples from an area where they have been displaced. Indigenous people are the original inhabitants of a geographical area or country before people from other countries or cultures arrived.Support the show

Listen in to Lisa take Daniel through a conversation surrounding gender equity vs. equality, and get to understand the important distinction—gender equality and gender equity are related terms but have different meanings! Lisa Hussain is passionate about the development of Guyana, SAGE scholar alumna Lisa Hussain is a CARICOM Researcher Intern at UN Women understudying a Multi-Country Study on the Economic Costs of Violence against Women and Girls in CARICOM. She graduated from the University of Guyana in 2018 with a Bachelor’s in Economics but her accomplishments went beyond that of academics. In recognition of her contributions to the cultural environment of the University’s campus, she was the recipient of both the Council of the University prize and the Dennis Irvine Award. These awards were well earned as in her second year, she founded the first and only female empowerment organization (The University of Guyana Female Empowerment Movement -UGFEM) at the Turkeyen campus on the pillars of gender equity. Lisa is quite active as she currently serves on the advisory committee of UGFEM, she is also a 2021 mentee of the Miracle Corners of the World Young Leaders Fellowship Program, a 2022 Kectil Coordinator for the Caribbean & South America, and the Founder/CEO of her new movement Period Positive aimed at shedding the myths & taboos for a period positive Guyana.Support the show

The world has been devastated by the war and destruction in Ukraine. It is critical that youth hear directly from youth on the ground about the situation. Kectil is thus very pleased to present Oleksandra Fomin, a 2022 Kectil Colleague from Ukraine, on a Kectil KYN Podcast hosted by our Podcast leader, Daniel Ochieng in Kenya. Oleksandra is currently living in eastern Ukraine. She reports on the Russian invasion of Ukraine as she is currently living it, and in particular, tells us how young Ukrainians are responding.  Oleksandra has a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the National University of Ostroh Academy and an MBA from Uzhhorod National University. She was also an exchange student at the Faculty of Public Governance of Mykolo Romeris University in Lithuania. She has experience analysing company management models, sustainable finance and investment, communication and business negotiation. Oleksandra co-founded Sustainable Agency, Ukraine's first sustainable startup that implements educational programs on sustainable development and entrepreneurship, and provides consulting and incubation services to sustainable start-ups.Support the show

In this episode, we are taken through the opportunities and challenges of youth in Pakistan. Listen to Abiha to discover how much the opportunities and challenges faced by youth are similar across developing countries. Abiha is currently working at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Islamabad, Pakistan. She co-founded Sync City for youth development and mentorship and worked with an education start-up Thilliant during Covid-19. Abiha received the Schwarzman Scholarship (a US Scholarship designed to build a global community of leaders who will deepen understanding between China and the rest of the world) in 2020 to complete her master’s in Global Affairs from Tsinghua University in Beijing, China. She has worked with the world's largest interest-free microfinance program 'Akhuwat' and has experience working at the British Council. Abiha was part of the first cohort of Kectil Program leaders and attended the Kectil Youth leadership conference, became the President of the Youth Council, and got to play a significant role in proofreading the Kectil book: 'Females in Society.'Support the show

Today on KYN Podcast, we bring you Keaton Harris, one of our most active Kectil alumni from South Africa, doing great things for his community. Keaton is a Medical student at Stellenbosch University in Cape Town, South Africa. He is the CEO of InforMED Global, a healthcare-focused company that bridges the communication gap between a healthcare practitioner and his/her patients by providing high-accuracy language translation which can be used during a one-on-one consultation in a clinic or a health center. This means a South African can get medical treatment in China with ease. How cool! Keaton also has his Bachelors of Pharmacy (finishing with a Summa Cum Laude) and was recently named one of the Top 100 Brightest Young Minds on the African Continent.Even more fascinating about Keaton is that at the age of 6, he already wanted to be a medical doctor. Keaton was from an economically disadvantaged family but that did not stop him from achieving his dream. Coming from a single-mothered household, although divorced when Keaton was only 6 years old, his mom sold all she had to pay for his tuition during his first year of his Pharmacy degree. We learn hard work, resilience, determination, and so much more from Keaton’s story.Support the show

In this episode, we listen to a young social innovator, Thamsanqa Hoza, referred to as Thami. Thami has continuously displayed his passion for the intersection of infrastructure development, tech, and people. He has become a leader in the water industry & the innovative landscape in Africa. He currently focuses on water solutions, including innovating the Hot Nozzle and providing Water Heating solutions for Africa. Amanzi Africa & NuWater provide clean water to communities, and Thami is heavily involved in water projects &  consulting. He refers to himself as a  global citizen. Enjoy listening to Thami’s journey in the innovation space in Africa and beyond.Support the show

In this episode, listen to Ashwathy take Daniel through her fascinating entrepreneurial journey as an inspirational youth! Ashwathy is a TEDx Speaker, Social Entrepreneur, and Co-Founder of Avasarshala, a platform in India that connects students with aspirational opportunities, identifies their interests, and connects them to the correct prospects through a personalized recommendation engine based on their age and location. She is the People’s Choice Awardee at Youth Co: Lab India 2020 (in partnership with Atal incubation Mission and UNDP India).  Ashwathy is also a Kectil International Youth Leader, Curator of Global Shaper Community- Trivandrum Hub (an initiative of World Economic Forum), cohort member at Cherie Blair Foundation Mentoring Women in Business 2021, Indian Ambassador for Digital Grassroots Program, Wedu Changemakers Rising Star for 2020, Vital Voices GROW Fellow 2020, inSIG 2020 Fellow, Youth IGF India 2020 Fellow, a Member of Internet Society- Trivandrum Chapter, Headstart Volunteer, public speaker and a thought leader who wishes to guide young minds to make their life enjoyable- one day at a time. Enjoy listening to her contribution in developing skills beyond education in preparation for life skills for the 21st Century!Support the show

 Young people are largely excluded from the political space of the country due to corrupted political systems. In this episode, we have an in-depth dive into Joel's passion for youth leadership and youth-driven development with a determination to put his rural community at the vanguard of innovations and technical development inspired by the youth. Joel Odota is the founder of Lamwo Youth Forum for Change, a community-based organization purely led and run by the youth to change the face of development. He holds a master’s degree focused on Politics and International Relations from China's top University, Pekin.   Enjoy!Support the show

Through ecology, our world is enriched and preservation of the environment is a very instrumental factor for human well-being and prosperity.  It provides new knowledge of the interdependence between people and nature vital for food production, maintaining clean air and water, and sustaining biodiversity in a constantly changing climate. In this episode, we are joined by a youth environmentalist, Luiz Bispo, who shares his journey as an environmentalist. Luiz is a world citizen, an environmental activist, and passionate about youth development. Luiz has been a Kectil member since 2017, co-coordinating the Latin American youth activities such assessments. Enjoy!Support the show

We all wonder what it would be like to access education in a military-run state. We know it would not be easy to have quality education due to the constant combat. In this episode, we are joined by super-talented youth, Ray from Myanmar who has beaten all odds and maneuvered his path to gain an education despite all the hardships.  Enjoy!Support the show

In this episode, Tabitha shares with Daniel about her journey in starting and running a social enterprise; Wezesha Binti Foundation; she also shares about her life growing up in Kenya and how The Mkff Kectil Program has had a significant impact on her journey; this comes in handy as the 2022 portal opens up for recruitment.  Enjoy!Support the show