Meet our Messengers of Peace Hero awardees

Carolina Arrieta - Costa Rica

Carolina is contributing to community-wide efforts to clean up a local river by reducing contamination and enhancing biodiversity. The river is a major source of livelihood and well-being for people in the community of Concepción.

Johnlhoid Narag - Philippines

Johnlhoid initiated a well pump project that collects clean water for ten communities, and is supporting local Indigenous groups by teaching them how to plant vegetable gardens and build small businesses in partnership with government agencies. 

Karnav Rastogi - India

A young champion for climate action, Karnav wrote a series of books about reducing household waste to raise awareness about ocean pollution. The books were distributed with seeds to plant into trees, and have inspired young people to change their behaviours and live more sustainability. 

Kouakou Clavaire Arnold Koffi - Côte d'Ivoire

Kouakou established a series of environment clubs in his community to promote healthy and sustainable living, and to campaign for environmental protection through plastic reuse and tree planting projects. 

Mohamad Hammoud - Libya

Mohamad has led multiple projects in his community including coordinating a campaign to plant trees in the Arab Region, participating in blood donation drives, raising health awareness during the COVID-19 pandemic, and supporting people displaced by conflict in the city of Derna. 

Mona Abushaban - State of Palestine

As a champion for sustainable development in her community, Mona campaigned to preserve aquatic life in the Wadi Gaza Nature Reserve, and rebuild the seashore that has been impacted by climate change. 

Muhammad Rifai Sahida - Indonesia

As a leader in his community, Rifai initiated a project to reduce single-use plastics by mobilising 200 students to organise waste management groups in 23 local schools. He also led a social entrepreneurship project to empower female inmates and ex-inmates to make and sell products from reusable waste.

Mykyta Rohutskyi - Ukraine

Mykyta has supported his community by providing food and activities for children impacted by war in Ukraine. At day camps, he offers games, outdoor activities, and support to improve the physical and mental health of young people in Kyiv. 

Paul-Alexandru Pop - Romania

As a first responder at the Romanian-Ukraine border in the days after war broke out in Ukraine, Paul helped hundreds of refugees find hotels and organised transport to assist in their relocation to communities in Romania and neighbouring countries.

Proyecto Migrantes (Migrants Project) - Chile

This service project, led by a refugee from Venezuela who now lives in Chile, engages young people in Scouting and promotes a culture of peace and inclusion. Through educational activities, young people learn about cultural differences and how to welcome migrants into new communities.

Stéphane Mangi Nduba - Democratic Republic of the Congo

Through peace building and dialogue activities, Stéphane has created opportunities for more than 800 members of the Katangese and Kasaiene communities to connect in shared spaces and live more peacefully together.

Un Libro, Un Sueño (A Book, A Dream) - Mexico

Aurora and Miguel Rojo have helped more than 1,500 students in low-income households by establishing libraries in local public schools that promote education and literacy among young people. Meanwhile, a book written by the two community leaders is inspiring others to achieve their dreams.