In a powerful display of her dedicated commitment to youth-led development and social change, actor Sanjana Sanghi has been invited by the United Nations Youth Office to serve as a member of the Distinguished Judges Panel for the fifth cohort of Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This prestigious appointment is another significant milestone in Sanghi’s journey as a prominent voice for positive global change.
The Young Leaders for the SDGs initiative recognizes 17 exceptional young individuals leading global efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The Distinguished Judges Panel, which includes influential leaders from the UN, civil society, the entertainment industry, and the private sector, selects these change-makers who are tackling the world’s most pressing issues.
Reflecting on the honour, Sanjana shared, “To be selected by the United Nations Youth Office to join the Distinguished Judges Panel—alongside global icons like Malala Yousafzai, Cody Simpson, Lilly Singh, Dia Mirza, and many others who have inspired my own journey in youth-led development—is one of the greatest honors I’ve received. It is a powerful affirmation of the work so many of us are doing to ensure that young people are not only seen as the inheritors of the future, but as its architects.”
She added, “After delivering the keynote address at the opening of the Summit of the Future in the UN General Assembly last year, my belief in the power of collective action was deeply affirmed. Seeing those words resonate globally and watching young people uplift one another across borders has only strengthened my conviction: our future is not only bright—it is being built, right now, by us.”
As the UNDP India Youth Champion, Sanjana’s selection is a direct result of her consistent and impactful work as a youth advocate. She has actively promoted youth-led social innovation and lent her voice to campaigns for child rights, women’s empowerment, and gender equality. Her dedication culminated in a powerful keynote address at the opening of the Summit of the Future, where she stood as the sole Indian woman advocating for the inclusion of young voices at the tables of change.
The actress now joins a remarkable list of former panelists, including global icons such as Malala Yousafzai, Cody Simpson, Lilly Singh, Dia Mirza, and Forest Whitaker. Sanjana’s role on the panel will allow her to continue her mission of amplifying the voices of young leaders, proving that the youth of today are not just the leaders of tomorrow, but the architects of our present.
