The Canon Young Champions looking to the future

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Last year, for the fifth consecutive year, a panel of judges had the privilege of working through the many, many entries for the category of Canon Young Champion of the Year Award at the annual Global Good Awards. It was an inspiring, optimistic and sometimes emotional task, with so many incredible young changemakers showing us what they had achieved in their communities – and often far beyond them.

As you might imagine, settling upon winners was a challenge, but three young people stood out for their drive, tenacity and powerful initiatives. In the months since their awards, Amara, Jahaan and Shri have continued to create social and environmental change, alongside studying for exams and planning their own futures. But, as you might imagine, they have not slowed down in their efforts to drive change. We caught up with them to learn what they’ve been focusing on.

A young woman holds a Canon camera and looks into the rear screen. Behind her is a large green fern.

Amara Nwuneli continues to drive community initiatives and outreach programmes. (Image courtesy of Amara Nwuneli)

A young man stands in the middle of a group of eight women and children. They all wear read Christmas hats.

Jahaan Arora spent the festive period spreading cheer by gifting children happy memories. (Image courtesy of Jahaan Arora)

Under 17 winner: Amara Nwuneli

Amara, the youngest of our three winners, is still only a senior at high school and in the throes of studying and college applications, as well as her work leading the social engagement, activism and environmental NGO, Preserve Our Roots. At her heart, she says, “I'm a performer, but I learned that my passion was not being on stage, it was being behind the camera, being the person who amplifies stories and unheard voices.”

Since her win, Preserve Our Roots has launched its latest educational campaign, Nation Builders, which educates young Nigerians about their country’s infrastructure and their role in shaping a more sustainable future.

Her team – all under the age of 21, the youngest only ten years old – are also driving the first public park to be made from entirely recycled materials, as well as their core community initiatives, such as fundraising drives, beach clean-ups and outreach programmes. “If a young person comes to us with an idea,” Amara says, “I work to provide the resources that ensure that there is nothing holding them back from transforming their visions to reality.”

Under 25 winner: Jahaan Arora

After his win, Jahaan didn't have time to celebrate. “I had a lot of studies to do to finish up my 12th grade,” he laughs. But he is more than used to being busy. His children’s timebanking initiative, $ocialcred$, now has around 10,000 users, who have pledged over 100,000 hours to work on community projects. One of these is One Million Meals, which has so far given 400,000 meals to orphaned children in his home city of Bengaluru.

Most recently, he's been supporting his fellow students in their endeavours, while also running a project called ‘Picture Me’ during the festive season. “We focus on clothing and food, but we wanted to also gift childhood memories,” he explains. “So, we went to childcare centres and took fun pictures, which we are in the process of framing and sending to them.”

This year, Jahaan will be heading to college in the United States but long-term plans to return to India. In the meantime, his work will continue. “Even when I'm not here, I have set it up so students can continue without me. This means it will be sustainable in in the long term and I’m looking forward to that.”

A young woman stands at a podium, speaking into a microphone. Behind her is a large screen which reads “The solution and mission: Cervical cancer screening may be a barrier, but intangible barriers like social stigma can prevent women from learning about the condition or agreeing to be screened.”

Shria Lakshmikumar has her sights set on a career in biomedical sciences, so she can continue her work in women’s health and cervical cancer prevention. (Image courtesy of Shria Lakshmikumar)

Under 25 winner: Shria Akshayaa Lakshmikumar

At the time of the Global Good Awards, HERAglobal, the international nonprofit Shria founded in 2023, was working in Ugandan communities, giving access to health education, as well as free cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccinations to women and girls. But in the months since, her ambitions to move into further countries are already beginning to be realised. “I've continued expanding screening services to clinics in Eswatini [formerly known as Swaziland] in partnership with the Kudvumisa Foundation,” she explains.

Shria’s work in women’s health and cervical cancer prevention is a lifelong passion and, as such, she has her sights set on a career in biomedical sciences. As well as her studies and work with HERAglobal, she has also been participating in molecular immunology research with NASA and is a Brain Health Scholar, working with Harvard scientists.

“I hope to continue my research work and pursue a career in the biomedical sciences,” she says. “I also want to continue HERAglobal throughout my career, and my goal is to expand my work to the top twenty countries most impacted by cervical cancer.”

Young changemakers are invited to submit applications for this year’s Canon Young Champion of the Year from 3rd February 2025. For more information, visit the Global Good Awards website.

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