By Mona, Nora, Saudah and Soha
In July, Plan International USA kicked off its annual Youth Leadership Academy in Washington, D.C. The YLA was created to engage emerging activists in a year‑long program, equipping them with essential advocacy and leadership skills for their upcoming leadership projects.
This five‑day intensive at American University advanced their knowledge on youth civic and political participation, protection from violence and health equity through workshops and discussions, while meeting influential staffers in Senate offices and learning from powerful guest speakers. Made possible thanks to Plan staff and the Youth Advisory Board, the YLA was not only successful in bringing their leadership projects to life, but ensured that youth advocacy is here to stay.
D.C. Day
One of the highlights of the Academy for many participants was “D.C. Day,” held on the third day of the program. The day kicked off with a session led by the Youth Advisory Board on gender‑based violence featuring guest speaker Cailin Crockett, a strategy consultant and advisor for online safety and responsible tech policy, former senior advisor at the White House Gender Policy Council, and long‑time expert in violence protection.
Ms. Crockett discussed her own professional journey and positions she has held across three presidential administrations in roles targeting violence against women. She also offered lessons learned from advocating in many different spaces and explored cultural and policy shifts for greater online safety and protection from gender‑based violence.
Ms. Crockett also shared her expertise to prepare participants for meetings with Senate staffers from five different offices later that day to discuss the TAKE IT DOWN Act and future provisions for successful implementation. In addition to providing an overview of the TAKE IT DOWN Act provisions, YAB counselors and Ms. Crockett also provided guiding principles for productive and forward‑looking conversation. Plan’s Head of Policy, Justin Fugle, also briefed the YLA participants and supported their Senate meetings.
Youth voices in action
At the meetings, the YLA participants met with the Senate offices of Sen. Jacky Rosen, D‑Nev.; Sen. Mark Warner, D‑Va.; Sen. Ted Cruz, R‑Texas; Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D‑Conn.; and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D‑Minn., to thank them for their involvement in passing the TAKE IT DOWN Act and to request measures for how the law should look in practice.
The staffers asked the YLA participants questions about their experiences online and the best way to implement the new law. Additionally, the staffers extended the meetings to keep talking with YLA participants, an unusual move on the Hill.
Reflections from participants
YLA participant Mia appreciated how Ms. Crockett shared “valuable tips on how to project confidence and speak effectively in a room full of influential people,” prompting her to feel more engaged and “showing me the importance of using my voice to create positive change.”
Katelynn shared her thoughts, too:
Reflecting on Ms. Crockett’s presentation, YLA participant Sriya shared:
Nuri, who visited Sen. Blumenthal’s office, shared:
Mia, who was in Nuri’s group and also spoke with Sen. Blumenthal’s office, added:
Shrayanthi’s experience encapsulates a common theme:
Tanya reflected:
Why youth advocacy matters
Reading through these reflections, one thing becomes evident: when young people are given the support and space to lead, they do not just speak up; they are empowered to drive change in their communities.
The 2025 YLA participants made it clear that their voices and experiences belong in the rooms where decisions are made, particularly when the choices affect their futures.
Through the YLA, Plan aims to provide the tools — mentorship, workshops and opportunities — necessary for youth to grow as advocates, fostering the change they believe in. Whether that is in online safety, health care or civic participation, young people will continue to be a powerhouse of change, and Plan will continue to stand alongside them every step of the way.
This blog was co-written by Mona, Nora, Saudah and Soha, members of Plan International USA’s Youth Advisory Board.
Nora is a Plan International USA Youth Advisory Board Member and a 2023 Youth Leadership Academy alumna. She is deeply passionate about advocating for refugee rights and climate activism. She has helped co-create resources for youth activism, supporting initiatives that engage young leaders in activism across 30 countries.
Mona is a Plan International USA Youth Advisory Board Member, a 2023 Youth Leadership Academy alumna, and served as a counselor at the 2025 Youth Leadership Academy. As a Plan Youth Leadership Academy member, she created a youth-led nonprofit organization called Digital Online Safety and Empowerment Initiative, where she leads a group of 19 young women to raise awareness about technology-facilitated gender-based violence in their communities.
Saudah is a Plan International USA Youth Advisory Board Member. She served as vice-president of her educational inequality nonprofit Scholars for Society UK, where she hosted conferences and workshops to bridge the gap of political education and involvement for state school teens.
Soha is a Plan International USA Youth Advisory Board Member and a 2021 Youth Leadership Academy alumna. Through her YLA participation she initiated Green Allies and Environmental Advocacy, a youth-led space for climate conversations. Through her work with Plan International she was involved in Innovations Hub with The Body Shop for their youth equality campaign in 2021 and an International Day of the Girl Takeover at AstraZeneca in 2022.
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