🌱 Empowering Youth for Health, Peace & Sustainability: My Journey as a Changemaker
As a public-health leader and peacebuilder from Myanmar, I’ve spent the past decade weaving together threads of health equity, youth empowerment, and environmental resilience. From malaria surveillance in rural townships to interfaith dialogues across conflict-affected communities, my journey has always been rooted in one belief: youth are not just beneficiaries—they are architects of change.
🌍 From Fieldwork to Foresight: Bridging Local Realities with Global Innovation
In 2025, I joined the WWF Singapore #wegotthis Incubation Programme as a Youth Changemaker, where I advanced circular economy solutions and received the Immersion Award for Circular Economy Accountability. I also contributed to the ASEF Innovators’ Lab 6, co-designing frameworks that link climate resilience, cultural heritage, and digital transformation.
These experiences reaffirmed my commitment to microregional innovation—solutions that emerge from communities and scale through collaboration.
🕊️ Peacebuilding Through Dialogue
As Project Manager for the Youth, Peace & Security Small Grant Initiative at the United States Institute of Peace, I led youth-led peacebuilding projects, organized interfaith dialogues, and worked closely with civil society and religious leaders. In a region where diversity is often politicized, we built spaces for shared narratives and mutual respect.
🦠 One Health & Surveillance: A Systems Approach
My work with PATH Myanmar, WHO, and the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity focused on strengthening disease surveillance and integrating One Health principles. Whether deploying digital tools like MSS and MCBRS or contributing to ASEAN’s regional plans, I’ve seen firsthand how health systems must be participatory, data-driven, and community-rooted.
🌟 Why I Founded Myanmar Youth Foundation-SDGs
To scale these efforts, I founded the Myanmar Youth Foundation-SDGs, a platform that empowers youth changemakers to lead community-based solutions across health, peace, and sustainability. We believe in narrative-driven advocacy, where stories spark action and data drives policy.
📚 Publications & Platforms
I’ve published in China CDC Weekly, contributed to Global Health Network, and spoken at the UNESCO Water & Megacities Conference on Mekong river security. These platforms allow me to amplify local insights to global audiences.
🔗 Let’s Collaborate
If you’re a donor, fellowship program, or youth network looking to co-create impact, I’d love to connect. Together, we can build systems that are inclusive, resilient, and youth-led.
📧 aungthanoo39@gmail.com | 🌐 ORCID | 📝 Blog
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