Dr Yewande Austin : a passion to change the world

Dr Yewande Austin is a committed activist, artist, speaker and social entrepreneur. She travels to different countries with an unrelenting creed in her heart : change the world. Through her humanitarian organization, « Change International », she has helped the victims of the terrorist group, Boko Haram, in Nigeria to rebuild their lives.

Yewande Austin was still very young when she discovered in her readings great figures such as Mahatma Ghandi, Martin Luther King… who impacted the world through their practice of non-violence. The young girl’s dream for the future was then to change the world like these icons who inspired her.

In 2004, she decides to realize her dream. She creates the « Global Institute for diversity and change». The organization trains students and professionnals to create inclusive communities that promote diversity, leadership and social responsibility.

In 2006, she founds « Change International ». Her organization fights against poverty, gender-based violence, female mutilation, early child marriage … « Change International » aims to equip vulnerable populations with adequate skills to fight against poverty and oppression. It promotes gender equality and equal opportunities and contributes to empower 250,000 women and girls in 21 countries, including 14 African countries.

In Nigeria, Change International commits, especially to the victims of Boko haram. In 2015, the organization helps the victims (children and women) of Boko haram in refugee camps. It offers courses on entrepreneurship to refugee mothers and provides them with funds to launch income-generating projects. It also builds a resettlement community for these refugees.

In 2016, Dr Yewande Austin produces a documentary on children and women trafficking entitled «Amazing grace : the freedom’s song » directed by the well-known filmmakers, the Horne Bothers. The documentary sheds light on her inspiring work for human trafficking survivors and the victims of Boko haram conflict. It also unveils the mazes of the human trafficking « industry », an illegal activity that generates annually billions of dollar. The documentary also discloses the fate of the 300 girls kidnapped by Boko haram in Nigeria in 2014, one of the greatest cases of human trafficking in the world.

In 2017, Dr Yewande Austin received the « President Barack Obama lifetime achievement Award » for her dedication to improving the world. In 2013, 2014 and 2017, she was nominated for the CNN Hero Award, which honours individuals who make extraordinary contributions to humanitarian assistance.