Adia S. Daniel

Adia Daniel, a passionate 18-year-old, second-year student of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College, currently pursues a curriculum in Law, Biology, and Chemistry, given her keen interest in Marine Biology and Human Rights. Her dedication to advocacy and youth work has been evident from a young age from her involvement in the SVG Girl Guides Association for the past 8 years, resulting in numerous awards and recognitions. In 2023, she was honoured with the highest distinction in the organisation, Chief Commissioner Guide. Since then, Adia has also served as a young leader.

Adia expanded her advocacy nationally and regionally. Her commitment to mental health and climate action led her to be appointed UNICEFECA’s National Youth Mental Health Focal Point for St. Vincent and the Grenadines; she has since been a part of the Let’s Unpack It Network that has recently launched Young Caribbean Minds: A Digital Mental Health Hub for Children and Youth of which she is a co-author, selected to participate in UNICEF’s Youth Advocacy Guide Training in Barbados, becoming a YAG Champion Trainer and took lead on many projects, webinars and events. Despite her busy schedule, Adia believes in a healthy balance in her work. Her passion for the performing arts was evident when she co-founded the first performing arts group at the St. Vincent Girls High School, The Intransit Exports Loyal Hearts Ad Alta and continues to pursue her artistic endeavours as a means of expressing herself.  Her ability to positively influence her peers and exhibit true selflessness was highlighted when she was elected President of The Peer Counselors Association 2022-2023. Graduating from the St. Vincent Girls’ High School with a focus on Natural Sciences, along with a stellar academic performance throughout her 5 years, Adia graduated with many accolades. Her friends and colleagues describe her as “the epitome of service above self.”

In April 2024, she was appointed to the Climate Change Sectoral Group of the SVG Prime Ministerial Advisory Council on Youth and represented her country at the SIDS Global Children and Youth Action Summit and the 4th International Conference on SIDS in Antigua. In September 2024, she spoke at the United Nations Headquarters on behalf of the Caribbean and SIDS at the 1st ever-UNICEF Executive Board Special Focus Session on Climate Change, shedding light on Hurricane Beryl and the need for more deliberate youth involvement in climate action decision-making. In October, Adia was a panellist for UNICEFECA and UNWOMEN ‘Girls’ vision for the future International Day of the Girl Child panel discussion at the United Nations House, Barbados. Now, Adia has been named Vincentian Youth Ambassador by her country and serves as a representation for youth in dialogues on regional issues. Project management, leadership, youth development, community outreach, public speaking and communications are at the top of Adia’s skill set. Adia remains dedicated to her role as a youth advocate, working and volunteering with organisations such as UNICEFECA, Unite2030, Caribbean Youth Gender & Equality Network, and Equal Rights, Access & Opportunities SVG to advocate for policy reform, climate action and improved mental health support for the youth in her community. Her advice to others is simple: “Speak up, find your niche, work on it, and create change.”