From politics to innovation: how South Asia’s youth is rewriting its growth story
Source: WEF
Sunita Dangol’s story didn’t begin with privilege or political lineage. Born in Kathmandu to a farming family from the historically marginalized Newar community, she was only able to complete her schooling thanks to a hard-earned scholarship.
Her drive shaped every step that followed. Dangol became the youngest member of Kathmandu’s city planning commission and soon joined the World Economic Forum's Global Shapers Kathmandu Hub, championing civic participation among young people.
At 29, she ran for Deputy Mayor of Kathmandu and won by the largest margin in the city’s elections.
This International Youth Day, 12 August 2025, under the theme Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond, we spotlight stories like Dangol’s, where young changemakers across South Asia are solving the region’s challenges, one city at a time.
Sunita Dangol’s story didn’t begin with privilege or political lineage. Born in Kathmandu to a farming family from the historically marginalized Newar community, she was only able to complete her schooling thanks to a hard-earned scholarship.
Her drive shaped every step that followed. Dangol became the youngest member of Kathmandu’s city planning commission and soon joined the World Economic Forum's Global Shapers Kathmandu Hub, championing civic participation among young people.
At 29, she ran for Deputy Mayor of Kathmandu and won by the largest margin in the city’s elections.
This International Youth Day, 12 August 2025, under the theme Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond, we spotlight stories like Dangol’s, where young changemakers across South Asia are solving the region’s challenges, one city at a time.