Nitya Lohiya
At just 14 years old, Nitya Lohiya is already contributing to global conversations about youth participation, human rights, and leadership.
A youth advocate, Être TED Education Talk Speaker, and award-winning author, Nitya’s work centres on a clear belief: young people should not only be heard, but actively included in shaping the policies and decisions that affect their future.
Over the past few years, she has contributed youth perspectives to a number of international discussions and consultations, including the Pact for the Future, youth civil society consultations, the World Summit of the Children, and the draft political declaration of the World Social Summit. Her advocacy has also extended to contributions submitted to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the impact of mental health challenges on young people’s enjoyment of human rights.
Alongside her policy work, Nitya founded That Teen, a global youth platform focused on mentorship and leadership access, helping young people connect with opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.
“I’ve always believed that young people are capable of doing extraordinary things when they stop waiting for permission and start believing in their own ideas,” she says.
That belief has shaped much of her journey. Rather than following a predefined path, Nitya has sought out spaces where youth voices are often missing and worked to bring them into the conversation.
“One thing I realised early on is that change often begins with a simple decision,” she explains. “Choosing to show up, speak up, and create opportunities where none existed before.”
One of the initiatives she is most proud of is leading a youth-focused survey exploring access to justice for women and girls, examining issues such as discriminatory laws and structural barriers. Insights from the project contributed to youth submissions to the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70).
Through her climate advocacy, Nitya has also participated as a delegate in global climate discussions, including the First-Ever Virtual COP and as a UNFCCC COP30 Virtual Delegate.
Storytelling is another important part of her work. Nitya is the author of several books, including 13 Lessons I Wish Everyone Knew at 13, which reflects on resilience, leadership, and the lessons young people are rarely taught about navigating success and failure.
“Success often comes from courageously creating your own path rather than simply following the one that is expected,” she says.
Starting her journey at a young age has also meant learning through challenges.
“When you begin engaging in global conversations early, there’s so much to learn,” Nitya reflects. “I made many mistakes at first, but those mistakes became my greatest teachers.”
What kept her moving forward, she says, was a belief in something larger than herself.
“That belief became a kind of morning star during difficult moments. It reminded me that growth often comes through challenges.”
Looking ahead, Nitya hopes to continue expanding That Teen, which has already connected young people from more than ten countries. The platform is designed to help teenagers aged 13–19 connect with mentors, collaborators, and opportunities based on the ideas they are building.
“For me, the vision is simple,” she says. “Talent exists everywhere, but opportunity doesn’t. Through That Teen, I hope to help close that gap.”
As part of the Global Change Ambassador community, Nitya says she values the opportunity to connect with young people around the world who are equally committed to creating impact.
“When you place yourself in spaces where people are constantly building and working to make the world better, something powerful happens,” she explains. “You begin to see possibilities you may never have imagined before.”
For Nitya, that sense of shared purpose is central to the work she hopes to continue doing.
“Meaningful change is always a collective effort,” she says. “None of us create impact alone.”