In recognition of the positive role young people play in building sustainable peace, the U.S. Department of State is honoring outstanding young leaders from around the world. On Thursday, May 4, the ten recipients of the second annual Emerging Young Leaders Award will be acknowledged in a public ceremony at the State Department for their efforts as partners for peace and drivers of economic growth and opportunity. One of the ten is Chamathya Fernando of Sri Lanka, a remarkable young leader fighting for gender equality.

Chamathya Fernando an undergraduate of University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka coordinates the “Stop the Violence” Campaign of Sri Lanka Girls Guide Association (SLGGA) and is a National Trainer for “Voices against Violence,” an educational curriculum co-developed by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) and UN Women. In 2016, Chamathya was chosen as the Girl Champion from the Asia Pacific Region for the WAGGGS’s #TeamGirl Campaign for her work under the UN’s development goal for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women and Girls. She also focuses on youth issues including education, skills development, reproductive health and rights, and combating racial discrimination and extremism.

These ten remarkable young people will visit the United States for an intensive program from April 30-May 13, specially designed to explore their leadership capacities, strengthen their knowledge of management strategies in the non-profit, government and private sectors, learn and share best practices, and broaden their networks of resources and support.

Courtesy of the US State Department