By Nontokozo Gwebu
Twenty University of Eswatini students have graduated as UNDP Student Ambassadors, joining a global alumni network after completing a five-month programme in advocacy, policy dialogues, and community outreach.
The graduation, held at the UN House in Mbabane, marks the first cohort of the initiative in Eswatini and a milestone in the country’s youth empowerment efforts.
The programme, launched in April, aimed to engage young people in promoting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with students participating in nine high-level events, including the Human Development Report launch.
Speaking at the ceremony, UNDP Resident Representative Henrik Franklin, commended the students for amplifying the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through digital platforms and community initiatives.
“By raising awareness online and engaging with our programmes, you have connected young people to the issues that matter most: climate action, inclusive governance, gender equality, and sustainable livelihoods,” he said.
Franklin added that the ambassadors participated in nine high-level events, including the Human Development Report launch, and urged them to apply for the Eswatini Youth Empowerment Programme (EYEP) to strengthen their career prospects.
UNDP Talent Acquisition Specialist – Ane Katrine Havsteen – described the graduates as pioneers: “Your stories prove that youth leadership is not a theory, it is already happening. You have shown how young people can bridge global goals with local realities.”
Students reflected on the programme’s impact, with Richard Dlamini saying it proved the importance of youth voices in policymaking highlighting the importance of youth voices in policymaking, while Environmental Health student Bandile Mnisi expressed pride in the recognition and opportunities it brought.
UNDP Eswatini confirmed the programme will expand to all universities in the country, continuing as part of its long-term strategy to groom young leaders capable of driving inclusive growth and sustainable development in their communities.