From Peru to Qatar, young changemakers from the UN Foundation’s +Social Good community are pushing for change even though 2020 changed our world. Here are some ways this global network of advocates, entrepreneurs and activists is refusing to let COVID-19 hold progress back – innovating, pushing past geographical boundaries, and diving deeper to help transform the world – so we can all recover better, and regain momentum on the Sustainable Development Goals. +SocialGood is an international community of changemakers convened by the United Nations Foundation.

Nashilongo Gervasius, +SocialGood Connector in Namibia, advocates for open access to the internet in her home country. She co-founded the Namibia chapter of the Internet Society as a policy and advocacy hub to help bridge the country’s digital divide, promote a safe online space for all users, and ensure that everyone has access to a safe and secure internet. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the group joined forces with local and international stakeholders to hold virtual policy dialogues with citizens on internet regulation, the role of youth in governing the internet, and how to secure digital human rights.

“The future of internet freedom in Africa should be one that recognizes digital rights as human rights [. . .] but also one that propagates technological connectivity as an important tool in driving democratic processes and key in social development,” she says.

Gervasius was recognized as an Open Internet for Democracy leader for her efforts to protect and promote an open internet. She was also honored as a finalist for the 2020 Equals in Tech Awards for her research on women’s rights online and the digital gender divide.

Read about four more young changemakers highlighted by Sarah Alaoui and Sueann Tannis at the United Nations Foundation.