Student advocates for child rights and climate action | Aga Khan Academies

Student advocates for child rights and climate action

26 March 2025

At just 13 years of age, Faatiha Aayat, a Grade 8 student at the Aga Khan Academy Dhaka, is making a global impact as a youth advocate for children’s rights and environmental sustainability. From a young age, she recognised the urgency of global challenges and dedicated herself to amplifying the voices of the marginalised. Her mission is simple yet profound – to leave the world better than she found it. 

Faatiha’s passion for advocacy began with a simple yet powerful habit – listening to the BBC Global News Podcast with her father every morning on the way to school. These daily insights about global crises – displacement caused by climate disasters, wars stripping children of basic rights and families torn apart by poverty – shaped her understanding of injustice at an early age. Realising the dire consequences of inaction, she felt compelled to raise awareness and drive change. 

At seven, Faatiha delivered her first speech at the 74th General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) in the United States of America, determined to advocate for child rights and climate action. Since then, her voice has echoed at Harvard University, TEDx events and the UN Economic and Social Council Chamber. 

Her tireless advocacy has earned her international recognition. In 2023, she received the prestigious Human Rights Hero Award from the UN, honouring her ongoing work to protect the rights of children and promote sustainability worldwide. 

As part of her commitment to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Faatiha recently launched the Zero Olympiad. This is a youth-led global competition aimed at reducing key global challenges to zero, such as zero poverty, zero hunger and zero carbon emissions. The initiative empowers young participants to develop strategic, solution-oriented ideas that address social, economic and environmental issues.  

The programme’s grand finale, held on 8 February 2025, brought together the top 17 contestants selected from over 8,000 participants. They presented well-thought-out, actionable plans to an esteemed jury, showcasing the power of youth-driven change. Through this initiative, Faatiha hopes to equip future leaders with the skills, awareness and confidence to actively participate in global problem-solving from a young age. 

Beyond public speaking, Faatiha is also the founder and CEO of CHIL&D, an organisation committed to climate, health, information, learning and development. Through CHIL&D, she works to combat critical global challenges, such as lead pollution and mercury contamination, partnering with organisations to drive meaningful change. 

Born in Dhaka and raised in the USA, Faatiha returned to Bangladesh in July 2024, with the hope of continuing her work in her home country. She joined the Aga Khan Academy Dhaka then and found a nurturing and supportive environment to further her mission. 

“My teachers and peers at the Academy have helped me through this transition,” said Faatiha. “Moving between countries and continents was not easy, but their encouragement and understanding gave me the support I needed when it mattered most.” 

Reflecting on her journey, Faatiha expresses deep gratitude for her parents and younger brother, who have been her pillars of strength. Their unwavering support has fuelled her determination to continue making an impact. 

For young people eager to create change, Faatiha shares a powerful message.  

"Follow your passions. Speak out about issues that matter to you. Start small – within your community, among friends and family – but keep going. In the end, small efforts lead to big results." 

Faatiha’s story is a reminder that age is no barrier to impact. With relentless determination and an inspiring vision, she continues to be a beacon of hope for a better, more just world.