CCIVS Youth Committee

Who We Are / CCIVS Youth Committee

CCIVS Youth Committee

The Youth Committee supports the CCIVS Executive Committee and Secretariat in developing the youth dimension and implementing the CCIVS strategic plan. It aims to communicate with young people directly, expressing their needs and advocating for their role in volunteering. CCIVS provides a space for young people to give direct input, learn to advocate for IVS, and give direction to CCIVS policies from their youth perspective.

The objectives are guided by the conviction that young people are powerful agents of change and that their involvement is essential for building a more just, inclusive and sustainable world. By working with CCIVS, we are committed to achieving the following objectives, they aim to ensure that the CCIVS Youth Committee effectively engages with young volunteers, supports their development, and integrates their perspectives into the organisation’s activities and policies. These objectives align with the justification and purpose outlined in the CCIVS Youth Committee Guidelines.

Represent diverse youth within CCIVS and at external events, focusing on youth issues.

Contribute to the internal agenda of CCIVS by being a part of the decision making process and create an exchange between the needs of IVS organisations on the one hand and youth on the other hand

Strengthen local, national and international networks by fostering collaboration among IVS organisations and multistakeholders

Share the mission and vision of the IVS and CCIVS to the world through youth advocacy

Integrate the youth perspective in order to develop a strong and efficient worldwide networking aiming to reach the IVS and CCIVS values.

Meet CCIVS Youth Committee Team

Adil Litos Sadeia

Mozambique

Yolay Rees-Mcpherson

United Kingdom

Benji Grayson Cooper

Hong Kong

Adil Litos Sadeia
Mozambique

Adil Litos Sadeia is a Mozambican social activist, volunteer, project coordinator, writer, and poet committed to promoting human rights, youth participation, and sustainable development. His trajectory combines community leadership, volunteerism, and international cooperation, with a focus on social transformation and active citizenship.

He holds a degree in Political Science from the Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo. Since 2016, he has been an active volunteer, social activist participating in numerous national and international projects, trainings, and exchanges within the International Voluntary Service (IVS) movement, contributing to initiatives related to community development, civic education, and youth empowerment.

Throughout his engagement in the international volunteering movement, Adil has been involved with the Associação dos Jovens Voluntários (AJOV Mozambique), supporting the coordination and mobilization of volunteers in work camps and community initiatives. His international experience includes youth programs, exchanges, and trainings across several countries in Europe and Africa.

Adil served during the 2023–2025 mandate of the youth committee of the Coordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service (CCIVS Youth Committee), contributing to strengthening youth participation and international cooperation within the IVS movement. He is also a member of the youth advisory group of UNESCO through the French Embassy in Mozambique.

In 2025, he was selected as a Youth Delegate to the World Forum for Democracy organized by the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France, where he contributes to international discussions on democracy and civic participation.

Alongside his civic engagement, Adil is also dedicated to creative writing. He is a poet and author of short stories and chronicles, using literature as a tool for social reflection and change. His areas of interest include human rights, peacebuilding and conflict management, emergency response, youth political participation, gender equality, and climate justice.

Fluent in Portuguese and with knowledge of Englis and French, Adil Litos Sadeia continues to work toward building more just, participatory, and inclusive societies.

Yolay Rees-Mcpherson
United Kingdom

Yolay is a youth advocate and climate activist based in South Wales, with a strong background in youth voice and climate action. She is currently involved with the Welsh Centre for International Affairs as a member of Climate Cymru’s Advisory Board and as Chair of the Youth Climate Ambassadors for Wales, where she supports young people to lead campaigns, influence decision-making, and engage with climate justice issues at local, national, and international levels.

Alongside this, she manages social media and marketing for Youth Cymru, a youth work and youth voice-focused charity, where she helps amplify young people’s perspectives and promote inclusive participation across Wales. She is also an alum of the NSPCC Young People’s Board for Change and has spoken about youth voice and civic participation at a range of political events, including Conservative and Labour Party conferences, the UK Parliament, and the Senedd.

She is passionate about climate action, equity, and creating meaningful opportunities for young people to be heard and involved in shaping the decisions that affect their lives. Her motivation for being part of the Youth Committee is to amplify youth voices within international spaces, collaborate with like-minded young people from around the world, and contribute to shared learning and collective action on global challenges.

Outside of her advocacy work, she enjoys travelling and learning from different cultures, which continues to shape her perspective on global justice and international cooperation.

Benji Grayson Cooper
Hong Kong

Benji Grayson Cooper is a law graduate currently working in the government sector. With a strong commitment to global issues, his passion stems from his past involvement with international volunteering and local NGOs.

Benji has rich experiences of volunteering, ranging from formative work camp experiences to active participation in youth-led organisations focused on environmental awareness, cultural exchange, and volunteerism. Driven by a vision of global citizenship, he is dedicated to advancing international volunteer services and championing socially responsible initiatives. His diverse experiences have reinforced his commitment to empowering young people, promoting environmental sustainability, and supporting initiatives that foster positive global change.

Piero Tapia

Peru

Ying Wai Chow

Hong Kong

Victonell Wanjohi

Kenya

Piero Tapia
Peru

Piero Tapia is a Peruvian volunteer and youth leader actively engaged in international volunteering networks and youth initiatives. He contributes to projects that promote youth empowerment, intercultural dialogue, and community development through the International Voluntary Service (IVS) movement. He serves as Coordinator of the Brigada Bolivariana de Voluntarios del Perú (BVBP), supporting international volunteering programs such as workcamps in Peru and facilitating opportunities for young people to engage in global solidarity and community action. Piero studied Systems Engineering, works as a Data Analyst, and is also a Project Manager in the gaming and esports sector, where he helps build digital communities and international events.

Ying Wai Chow
Hong Kong

Ying Wai Chow (Doris) is a youth advocate from Hong Kong, currently based in Australia, with a strong commitment to international volunteering, youth engagement, and social impact. Alongside her advocacy work, she works as a strategy consultant, bringing experience in problem-solving, research, and delivering impact-driven solutions.

She has been actively involved in international volunteering and youth-led initiatives through her work with CCIVS and other global networks. Her experiences include coordinating youth programmes, facilitating and moderating sessions, and contributing to international forums and multilateral discussions. Through these roles, she has engaged with diverse communities and supported projects that promote collaboration, learning, and active participation.

Doris is passionate about youth empowerment, capacity building, and fostering global collaboration. She believes in the power of cross-cultural exchange to strengthen understanding and drive positive change. As a member of the Youth Committee, she aims to contribute to initiatives that expand access to international volunteering and support the development of more inclusive and participatory spaces within the IVS movement.

Victonell Wanjohi
Kenya

Victonell Wanjohi is from Kenya. She is passionate about youth engagement, community volunteering, and intercultural exchange. She believes voluntary service is a powerful way for young people to connect across cultures while contributing to meaningful change in their communities.

She is currently involved with Kenya Voluntary Service Organization (KVSO), her nominating organisation, where she serves as a Social Media Manager. In this role, she supports the organisation by sharing stories of volunteers, highlighting community initiatives, and promoting opportunities for young people to participate in voluntary service. Being part of KVSO has allowed her to see how storytelling and visibility can inspire more young people to get involved in volunteering.

Her connection with the Coordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service (CCIVS) network has also been very meaningful. Through this platform, she has participated in Voices for Change project which strengthened her confidence in using her voice and reinforced her belief in the power of youth-led initiatives. Through engaging with other young people from different backgrounds, she learned how meaningful dialogue and collaboration can empower youth to advocate for issues that matter to their communities. The experience helped her better understand the importance of creating spaces where young people feel heard and encouraged to contribute their ideas, and it further motivated me to continue promoting youth participation and volunteering as tools for positive social change.

One moment that deeply shaped her love for volunteering was during one of these programmes when a local community member shared how seeing young people from different countries come together to support their heritage site gave them hope for the future. That moment reminded her that volunteering is not only about the work we do, but also about the connections, solidarity, and inspiration we create together.

Her areas of interest include youth participation, cultural heritage preservation, intercultural dialogue, and strengthening youth voices within the international voluntary service movement. She is particularly passionate about creating spaces where young people can actively engage in their communities, collaborate across cultures, and contribute to initiatives that promote solidarity, mutual understanding, and sustainable community development through volunteering.

Raksha Venugopal Shenoy Kundapura

India

Ian Tawanda Mugowa

Zimbabwe

Katalin Miklós

Hungary

Raksha Venugopal Shenoy Kundapura
India

“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” – Arthur Ashe

Raksha Shenoy is a youth worker and community engagement practitioner from Karnataka, India, actively involved in promoting International Voluntary Service (IVS), youth participation, and grassroots social impact. She is currently working as a YDP Coordinator with FSL India, her nominating organisation, where she works closely with young people from diverse social and economic backgrounds through volunteer programmes, educational initiatives, and community-based learning spaces. Her work centres on creating inclusive and participatory spaces where young people can learn through experience, reflection, and collective action.

She is passionate about youth empowerment, intercultural learning, sustainable communities, and strengthening the role of volunteering as a pathway for personal growth and social change. Raksha particularly values approaches that connect grassroots realities with global conversations, ensuring that local voices remain visible in international spaces.

As a member of the CCIVS Youth Committee, Raksha contributes to strengthening youth voices within the IVS movement and supporting collaborative spaces where young people can shape advocacy, strategy, and future directions of international volunteering. Her participation in global platforms, including reflection and advocacy processes, reflects her interest in connecting local realities with international policy discussions. Through her role in the Youth Committee, she hopes to help build more equitable, accessible, and youth-led IVS spaces that empower young people to become active contributors to their communities and the wider world.

Ian Tawanda Mugowa
Zimbabwe

Ian Tawanda Mugowa holds a Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in Archaeology, Museums and Heritage Studies from Great Zimbabwe University (2018–2022). He is passionate about cultural heritage and believes it plays a key role in building identity, unity, and sustainable communities.

He is the Director of WaMambo Explorers, an initiative that promotes cultural heritage preservation through heritage edutainment, making culture engaging and accessible, especially for young people. He enjoys connecting with people from diverse cultural backgrounds, as he believes diversity strengthens global understanding and unity.

Ian currently serves as a Youth Volunteer and is an active member of the Zimbabwe Workcamps Association. He actively participates in youth leadership discussions and strongly believes that young people are central to shaping stronger communities and a better future.

Guided by the principle of Ubuntu, he advocates for community development through Voluntarism, collaboration, and inclusive participation. He is committed to environmental stewardship, climate justice, and sustainable practices that protect natural resources while supporting community livelihoods.

Above all, Ian is very social and believes empowered and united youth can help build the global community we all aspire to see.

Katalin Miklós
Hungary

Katalin Miklós holds a degree in Community and Civil Development Studies and works as a youth worker and community developer. Her nominating organization is Egyesek Youth Association in Hungary, where she serves as a mentor for international volunteers and as a camp leader for international volunteering camps.

Her professional journey began in 2022, when she volunteered at a youth center in Portugal through the European Solidarity Corps programme. Currently, she collaborates with youth organizations in Hungary and Romania to empower young people and provide non-formal local and international learning opportunities through Erasmus+ and other programs to foster their agency, and develop their competencies, such as critical thinking, active participation and social skills. Additionally, she leads a grassroots women’s organization in Romania that aims to empower women to participate in local decision-making.

She decided to become a member of the CCIVS Youth Committee because international volunteering has had a profound impact on her personal and professional development. It gave her the opportunity to connect with young people from around the world and broaden her perspective in many ways. Her mission is to reach and engage more young people in volunteering opportunities, as she strongly believes these experiences contribute to more inclusive, collaborative, and peaceful societies.

Kiary Coronel

Colombia

Julia Kanas

Poland

Enitta Tembo

Malawi

Kiary Coronel
Colombia

Kiary Coronel is a Workcamp Leader and Placement Officer for WeCollab Colombia, with over two years of experience as a volunteer. She was awarded a scholarship by the French government’s official volunteering program, Service Civique, through which she completed an eight-month volunteer placement in France. She has led international volunteer programs and cultural exchange initiatives in Colombia and France, and she has participated in various training sessions and study programs on international volunteering in France, Switzerland, and Germany.

Julia Kanas

Poland

Julia is finishing her MA in Journalism and Social Communication at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań. She has over eight years of volunteering experience by conducting first aid workshops and simulations, journalism activities for youth, or various support at local festivals like Short Waves Festival and Millennium Docs Against Gravity. She gained experience working as a Communication Officer in SCI Poland for a year. Now she is supporting Poznań-based NGOs like Local Girls Movement, which promotes sisterhood and empowers women in different aspects of life. Julia also joined Grenzenlos, located in Vienna.

Enitta Tembo
Malawi

Enitta Tembo is a Youth Worker bringing valuable experience from leading the LIVE-EX Erasmus+ funded project. She has strong expertise in youth engagement, digital participation, and intercultural learning, with a focus on storytelling and cultural exchange to empower young people. In her current role, she coordinates youth-led virtual exchanges and supports meaningful participation across diverse cultural contexts. She also facilitates trainings, safe spaces, and dialogue sessions that promote inclusion, active citizenship, and global solidarity.

She is also involved as a volunteer in the Youth Eco-Resilience project implemented by the Centre for Humanity and Sustainable Development. This virtual programme connects young people from different countries to share climate change challenges and solutions, equipping them to shift from reactive survival to proactive leadership in climate action.

Her interests lie in directly engaging young people, coordinating youth-led initiatives, and promoting participatory approaches such as storytelling, cultural exchange, and digital engagement. She is particularly passionate about facilitating inclusive spaces that foster intercultural learning and active citizenship.

Through her involvement in the Youth Committee, she aims to gain evidence-based knowledge and skills to support informed, youth-focused climate action. She also values global networking as a way to exchange creative ideas, learn from diverse contexts, and co-create innovative, community-led initiatives that amplify youth voices and contribute to long-term sustainability.

The Role of
The Youth Committee

Young people are key to the development and promotion of CCIVS. The Youth Committee representatives are designated by CCIVS member organisations and support the CCIVS Executive Committee (EC) and Secretariat with the development of the youth dimension of our activities

Functioning and Meetings

The Youth Committee meets online once in a month, the dates to be defined before the EC meetings in order to ensure that the content discussed is feeding and informing the discussions of the EC.

Where possible, members of the Youth Committee are encouraged to take part in CCIVS training programmes, to give them the opportunity to learn more about IVS and to develop their policymaking and advocacy skills.

Youth Committee Guidelines

The commitment of the members of the Youth Committee is to represent and advocate for the rights, values and concerns of youth and bring the youth perspective inside CCIVS, whether in decision-making, providing new opportunities, or being partofvarious projects/activities of CCIVS. With the hope that in the future it will be the youth themselves who lead, in a participatory way, the IVS movement with the objective of transforming to a morejust, honest, diverse and equal reality.