CHRYSOULA PAPADOPOULOU

As a member of this advisory body to the UNICEF Greece Country Office, my primary aim was to represent my community and strengthen the voices and the effective participation of children and young people in decision-making processes.

Key achievements:

• Provided assistance and advice on the planning, implementation and improvement of UNICEF’s projects in Greece (e.g. on projects implemented under the National Action against Childhood Obesity and the National Action for the Promotion of Family and Child Health, both implemented by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with UNICEF)
• Co-drafted the Youth Declaration on Childhood Obesity and presented it during the High-Level Closing Event of the National Action Against Childhood Obesity, organised by UNICEF Greece in collaboration with the Greek Ministry of Health (Athens, 2026)
• Promoted and informed the public about the activity and the current projects of UNICEF Greece during the 89th Thessaloniki International Fair
• Contributed to the creation and dissemination of U-Report Polls to engage youth and gather insights on pressing issues.

Topic: “Campfire Songs: The Art of Storytelling in Heat and Flame”, exploring resilience, hope, and climate justice.

Over the course of the programme, I

• Collaborated with 29 other young changemakers from 20 countries to explore the impact of extreme heat on human and planetary health, climate inequality, and urban resilience.
• Co-created policy-relevant climate narratives through storytelling, music, and creative workshops with climate activists, researchers, artists, and composers, enhancing community engagement in climate issues.
• Developed original songs and poems forming the foundation of an upcoming immersive 360° film series which is going to be presented across the globe, using art as a tool for climate advocacy and community impact.
• Engaged in discussions about the impact of heat on mental health, about food security, conflict, wildfire risk, urban adaptation, water justice, and the disproportionate effects of climate change on vulnerable communities.
• Worked within a youth-led, trauma-informed, and globally connected learning environment, strengthening leadership, cross-cultural collaboration, and advocacy skills.

Represented m delegation (Russian Federation) in the 22nd ArcMUN conference organised by Aristotelio College of Thessaloniki, driving diplomatic negotiations and policy drafting, contributing to committee discussions by formulating resolutions on the pressing problem of whether Artificial Intelligence is a tool or a menace for the educational system.