Shaping International Relations | Advocate for Youth, Diplomacy & Climate Solutions
SDG Trailblazer | Sustainability Influence
Raised in the heart of Nakuru County, Kenya, Jane Njuguna’s story begins not with privilege, but with passion. In a home where resources were scarce but love and resilience flowed freely, Jane’s fire for leadership and advocacy was lit early—sparked by her father, an unwavering human rights and education activist. From a young age, Jane knew her voice had power. And though her path would twist and challenge her at every turn, her determination only grew louder. Fueled by a deep commitment to justice, youth empowerment, and diplomacy, Jane began her academic pursuit in International Relations at Daystar University, where she completed her diploma and is now working towards her Bachelor’s degree. Life, however, had other plans. Family obligations paused her formal education, but her hunger for growth didn’t waver. Learning for Jane was never confined to a classroom—she dove headfirst into fellowships, volunteer work, and hands-on experiences that expanded her worldview and sharpened her advocacy. There were moments of hardship—days she couldn’t afford transport to attend crucial events, or data to log into virtual engagements. She was often the youngest or least credentialed person in the room, underestimated, overlooked, and sometimes even ghosted. But she knocked on doors anyway. She sent emails that others feared would go unread. She showed up, even when she felt invisible. Because to Jane, progress didn’t need to roar—it only needed to whisper loud enough to keep her moving forward.
And move forward she did.
Today, Jane Njuguna stands tall as a Global Youth SDG and Climate Advocate—an unstoppable force in the fight for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Her reach spans grassroots to global, with a presence in policy spaces across Africa and beyond. She currently serves with the Climate Mobility Community Action Network (CMCAN), a Canadian-based organization tackling the crucial intersection of climate change and human mobility. As a key voice in YOUNGO—the official youth constituency of the UNFCCC—Jane contributes to both the Human Rights and Migration & Climate Change Working Groups. She also advocates for intersex inclusion in her role as Youth Programs Volunteer with the Association of Intersex Persons (AIP).
Jane’s diplomatic acumen found its footing within the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, where she contributed to the Americas and Caribbean Directorate and supported the historic coordination of President Ruto’s state visit to the U.S.—the first by a sitting African leader since 2008. A proud alumna of the prestigious Climate Governance, Diplomacy, and Negotiations Leadership Programme by AGNES (Africa Group of Negotiators Experts Support), Jane’s leadership journey hit another milestone when she was appointed 2023 Campus Director for the Millennium Fellowship—leading student-driven SDG innovation with bold vision.
But Jane’s commitment to service doesn’t stop there. She’s currently expanding her expertise through a Global Health course offered by One Young World and the Gates Foundation, digging deep into the cross-section of global development and public health. At Daystar University, Jane’s fingerprints are everywhere—from leading as Secretary of the Presidential Community Service Committee to shaping discussions as a key member of the Debate Club Committee. As School Representative for the Innovation Hub (SASS), she has become a champion of student ideas, pushing innovation forward. In her role as Coordinator for Peace and International Relations, Jane ensures smooth academic transitions for students while organizing dynamic events like Debates and Diplomatic Days that foster international awareness and youth leadership.
Outside academic walls, Jane is making her voice heard in digital spaces too. She runs her own YouTube channel, where she shares engaging content that fuses advocacy, education, and empowerment. Her skills in social media content creation and communication are part of what makes her an effective storyteller—someone who not only participates in change but inspires it. Jane also serves as a Global Youth Ambassador with Theirworld, uniting with young people around the world to drive forward SDG 4—championing quality education for all. And recently, she joined the Protocol & Diplomacy International – Protocol Officers Association as an Events Fellow, planning and coordinating international workshops, conferences, and diplomatic meetings while managing communications and participant logistics with finesse.
For Jane, every title, every role, and every platform is an opportunity to shift narratives, center youth voices, and prove that young people—especially those from modest beginnings—can be architects of global change. Her story is a powerful reminder that even when the odds are stacked high, purpose and persistence will always find a way through. My humble beginnings were shaped by the reality of navigating school and leadership opportunities with minimal financial support. There were days I couldn’t afford transport to attend events or lacked access to internet data for virtual engagements. But I held on to purpose. I knocked on doors, sent emails, showed up even when I was the youngest or least qualified in the room. I’ve been underestimated, ghosted, overlooked, and dismissed. But I’ve also been lifted, mentored, and seen by those who believed in potential over perfection.
The greatest lesson I’ve learned is that your voice is powerful, even if it shakes. Every “no” I received sharpened my focus, and every small “yes” reminded me that progress doesn’t always roar; sometimes it whispers. I’ve also learned that authenticity is a superpower. It’s okay to admit you don’t have it all figured out; what matters is that you care enough to try.
To my younger self, I would say: keep going. You don’t need to have all the answers now. Your journey won’t look like anyone else’s, and that’s okay. You’re allowed to take breaks, ask for help, and reinvent yourself. The challenges you face are not roadblocks—they’re part of your training.
Today, I am actively involved in climate advocacy, youth inclusion, and diplomacy spaces across Africa and globally. From working with grassroots communities to contributing to international policy dialogues, I center youth, gender, and climate justice in all I do. Through volunteering, mentorship, and storytelling, I’m working to shift the narrative—to show that young people from humble beginnings can be architects of global change. Jane Njuguna’s story is still being written—but it already speaks volumes: You don’t need to come from much to do something meaningful. Start where you are, use what you have, and never underestimate the power of showing up.