A sixteen-year-old girl from Uttarakhand has put India on the global map of youth leadership and educational advocacy. Sampada Tiwari from Udham Singh Nagar represented the nation at the prestigious UNICEF Innocenti's Leading Minds Conference, a significant international gathering held in Nairobi, Kenya, from November 2 to 5.
A Remarkable Achievement Among Global Peers
Sampada's journey to the global stage is a story of exceptional merit. She was selected as one of only 15 Youth Foresight Fellows from a staggering pool of over 6,000 applicants from across the world. This accomplishment is doubly historic, as she became both the youngest fellow worldwide and the first Indian to ever receive this distinguished fellowship.
Her selection was not by chance. It was a direct result of her dedicated research work with the UNICEF India Country Office and UNICEF Innocenti. Her project focuses on a critical issue: the obstacles that adolescent girls in India face within the education system, with a special emphasis on those hindered by digital and resource inequalities.
Presenting India's Voice on the World Stage
The Leading Minds Conference is one of UNICEF's flagship global events, shaping conversations around education and youth policy. At this forum, Sampada actively engaged in workshops, policy dialogues, and high-level discussions. She confidently presented India's unique perspective on what the future of learning should look like.
Reflecting on the experience, Tiwari stated, "Representing India on a global stage was an honour. My goal is to ensure that every adolescent girl, regardless of her background, gets equal access to education." Her words underscore a deep commitment to creating a more inclusive educational landscape.
Inspiring Pride and Setting a New Benchmark
Back home, her achievement has sparked immense pride and hope. Her father, Bhaskar Tiwari, shared his admiration, saying, "Sampada's insights on inclusive learning and her commitment to representing marginalised adolescent girls reflect the kind of youth leadership the world urgently needs."
The school community is equally elated. Bhawna Bhanaut, the principal of RAN Public School in Rudrapur, remarked, "Her participation has brought pride to Uttarakhand and set a benchmark for young researchers across India." Sampada Tiwari's story is more than just an individual success; it is a powerful testament to the potential of India's youth to drive meaningful change on the world stage.
