IRPD Student Recognized As a Finalist for the International Children's Peace Prize

In November 2024, IRPD student Sarah Shelke was named a Top 3 Finalist for the prestigious International Children’s Peace Prize (ICPP). Previously awarded to global youth activists such as Malala Yousafzai and Greta Thunberg, the prize honors young leaders who courageously fight for children’s rights.

Sarah was recognized for her mental health advocacy through her leadership of Mind4Youth, a youth-led nonprofit that has raised $432,000 and brought together more than 23,700 volunteers worldwide. Her advocacy journey began after a close family member experienced depression. Motivated by a desire to ensure other young people would not face the same challenges alone, Sarah has focused her work on increasing access to mental health resources and raising awareness about the stigma surrounding mental health.

As part of her recognition, Sarah was flown to the Netherlands on an all-expenses-paid trip, where she delivered a speech to hundreds of attendees. During her visit, she was recognized by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Tawakkol Karman and met with the former U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands, Shefali Razdan Duggal.

The year 2024 marked the prize’s 20th anniversary and brought together past recipients from around the world. Reflecting on the experience, Sarah shared, “It was incredibly inspiring to be surrounded by individuals who are so passionate and committed to their work. They have inspired me to continue fighting for children’s rights and expanding access to mental health support for youth everywhere.”

Sarah’s future plans include studying human rights and economics in college to dedicate her future to improving mental health care for all communities. She also adds, “I hope to get more involved in reforming current legislation. Some of the issues I currently address in my advocacy work could be prevented if policy improved health care conditions and affordability from the outset.”

As Sarah continues her education and expands her impact, she remains a powerful example of how youth leadership can drive meaningful change on a global scale.