Reflections from the 30th Youth Assembly in New York
When I boarded my flight to New York this summer, I wasn’t just carrying a suitcase. I was carrying hopes, questions, and an excitement that I could barely put into words. This trip, attending the AFS Youth Assembly for the first time, was going to be special.
As a third-year doctoral student in Molecular and Cellular Medicine, I spend much of my time working with data to understand the human immune system. Beyond the lab, I’m the founder of My Science Journey, a platform that amplifies the voices of African scientists. For me, storytelling is about personalising narratives, inspiring the next generation, and reminding young Africans that science can take many different paths.
The award that made my trip possible
Earlier this year, I was honoured to receive the Sir Cyril Taylor Young African Leaders Award. The fellowship gave me opportunities to grow, such as completing the Global Competence Certificate Program and learning changemaking strategies. I also received seed funding to host a community workshop for 100 young people.
But the highlight? Being awarded a travel grant to attend the 30th American Field Service (AFS) Youth Assembly in New York City.
Standing at the UN on International Youth Day
Before the Assembly began, I joined young people from around the world at the United Nations Headquarters for International Youth Day.
Walking through those doors felt surreal. I had seen the UN countless times on TV, but this was my first time there in person. Sitting in the hall, listening to stories of innovation and activism, I felt a deep sense of belonging. Youth are far from being just the ‘leaders of tomorrow’. We are leaders today, driving change now.
The Youth Assembly Experience
The Assembly itself brought together over 500 delegates from 84 countries, under the theme Defying Adversity: Empowering Young Global Citizens to Lead.
From the very first session, I felt inspired and challenged. I met young people who are building climate action movements in their communities, others who are improving access to education, and peers who are using technology to tackle inequality. Each story was a reminder that while our contexts differ, our determination is the same.
One conversation that has stayed with me was with a delegate from Nigeria. She shared her initiative called Project Rebirth. It empowers marginalised women by giving them access to microloans, helping them launch their own ventures and, in turn, driving local economic development. Listening to her reminded me of the power and urgency of grassroots solutions.
What This Journey Taught Me
Coming back from New York, I carried reflections, responsibilities, and a renewed sense of purpose.
This journey reaffirmed why I started My Science Journey. For too long, African science has been written about in fragments, often underrepresented, overshadowed, or told by others. I want to help rewrite that narrative. Through storytelling, I want to celebrate the brilliance, resilience, and groundbreaking contributions of African scientists, and to create mentorship opportunities that guide young people into science in their own unique ways.
My award was so much more than an honour. It was a call. A call to keep building bridges. A call to create spaces for others. A call to use my voice: not only to tell my story, but to help others tell theirs.
Because in the end, stories shape how we see ourselves and how the world sees us. And in that shift, there is power.
If you’re interested in finding out more about My Science Journey:
