6 August 2026
North Shore local Hannah Ishimura Wright, 16, has been selected as the youngest UNICEF Australia Young Ambassador in the country, marking the start of an 18 month advocacy term representing New South Wales.
An emerging leader in the environmental and youth advocacy space, Wright has already begun using her skills and passion for skills to create apps and games designed to mobilise other young people around ecological issues.
“I realised that if everyone is waiting for someone else to take action then it will be hard to make meaningful change, so I just got started on making my own contribution,” Ishimura Wright said.
The program, which supports young people aged 16 to 24 in championing children’s rights, has been running since 2014 and focuses on critical modern issues such as climate and digital safety.
UNICEF Australia CEO Tony Stuart said “Young Australians are their own best advocates simply by sharing their perspectives and life experiences,” adding “Our role is to give them the tools and avenues to be heard”
The program which has been running since 2014 has educated participants in advocacy areas immediately impacting young Australians such as digital safety and climate.