The importance of RYCs
The overarching goal of the RYCs is to support young people at the local and regional level to become informed and enfranchised digital health citizens, co-creators of digital first health systems and innovative thought leaders with the skills and capacities to be key stakeholders in the governance of the digital transformation of health.
They do this by leading concerted efforts that capture and reflect the diverse views and experiences of young people within the activities and outputs of the DTH-Lab. RYCs develop partnerships at the regional and local level as well as bring the voice of youth from their regions to the work of DTH-Lab and the broader digital health ecosystem.
With well-established connections to youth networks at the regional and local level across a range of disciplines, the Champions elevate the scope and scale of the youth engagement work of DTH-Lab.
A competitive process
We received 2925 applications during the open call—a 342% increase from the previous year. This highlights the level of interest from young people in the digital transformation of health and the growing reach of DTH-Lab’s work, especially in areas with high youth populations. Through a rigorous shortlisting and interviewing process, ten individuals were selected representing all seven SDG regions.
The new cohort is drawn from multiple disciplinary backgrounds including medicine, environmental health, international relations, biology, dentistry, law, pharmacy, medical informatics, communications, engineering and public health.
The 2024-2025 Regional Youth Champions are:
- Sub-Saharan Africa: Othniel Nimbabazi and Lynn-Everdene Akisarl
- North Africa and Western Asia: Maryam Sherif and El Ghali Ouali Alami
- Central and Southern Asia: Mehrbanoo Hossrinirad
- Eastern and Southeast Asia: Alfredo Lorenzo Sablay
- Latin America & Caribbean: Tamoy Campbell
- Europe and Northern America: Charlotte Thibault and Sohayla Eldeeb
- Australia, New Zealand and Oceania: Leonardo (Reo) Bolstad (Aoki)
Visit our RYC page to read more about the new cohort.
If your organization is interested in having an RYC join an upcoming discussion or contribute to a particular initiative please contact our Youth Engagement Coordinator at whitney.gray@dthlab.org.
Discover more about DTH-Lab here:
Digital transformations are shaping all aspects of our lives, including health. Digital innovations can help to improve young people’s health and well-being and achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through their application in health systems, public health promotion and prevention, and personal self-management of health status and behaviours. Without good governance, digital transformations can undermine health and exacerbate inequality. As levels of connectivity increase, concerted efforts are required to ensure that digital technologies are harnessed in support of better health and well-being for all and the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
The DTH-Lab is a global consortium of partners working to drive implementation of The Lancet and Financial Times Commission on Governing Health Futures 2030’s recommendations for value-based digital transformations for health co-created with young people.
