NEW York, USA Sep 20 – Eden Tadesse, a 26-year-old social entrepreneur and activist from Ethiopia, is making waves on the global stage for her remarkable efforts in transforming the lives of refugees.
She is among six changemakers awarded at the annual Goalkeepers Global Awards by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation which recognizes the contributions of remarkable leaders working in their communities and around the world to advance progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
Tadesse, is a digital innovator, and human rights activist who aims to address one of the biggest challenges facing refugees – finding a job and integrating into their new homes.
“Refugees too deserve better. They deserve to live a descent a dignified life but that is not happening in the camps today,” she told journalists ahead of the award ceremony held at the Jazz and Lincoln Centre in New York, attended by over 400 young changemakers from across the world, including celebrities and top leaders.
Participants included Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan, who was also awarded, President William Ruto of Kenya, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, hosts Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates as well as more than 400 young changemakers from around the world.
In 2019, Eden founded Invicta, a global impact platform that promotes digital financial inclusion for urban refugees.
Tadesse whose platform offers online courses in design, marketing and other areas to help young refugees develop remote working skills, connects them with international companies for job opportunities and helps female entrepreneurs to gain access to business development and banking support is among six changemakers who received a global award at the annual Goalkeepers Award by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
She was awarded alongside Prime Minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida, Cameroon’s Ashu Martha Agbornyenty, aged 24 who is passionate about empowering midwives. Also awarded is the Farmlink Project from the U.S.
The Goalkeepers community is a global collective of collaborative and diverse changemakers. Members include both emerging and well-known leaders who live all over the world and represent an eclectic range of cultures, professions, and interests.
Mark Suzman, CEO of the Gates Foundation told journalists that the world is off track in achieving the SDG’s.
“Halfway to the deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals, our annual Goalkeepers Report shows that on 18 indicators—from poverty to gender equality, education to food security, health to climate— the world is off track,” he said.
Read more about Changemakers Awarded At Gates Foundation’s Annual Goalkeepers In New York here.
Her work centers on providing training and employment opportunities to thousands of refugees through her platform, Invicta that focuses on refugees.
The latest report by the UNHCR shows that the world has surpassed the 100 million mark for total displacement, meaning that over 1.2% of the global population has been forced to leave their homes. Among these people are over 32.5 million refugees.
“This is a crisis and that is why we are trying to find a solution although this is not enough. We need governments to set up proper policies,” she said, adding, “Our platform not only equips refugees with crucial technical skills but also empowers them with knowledge in business and marketing.”
Invicta, she said, does this for free.
The impact of her work speaks volumes, as Tadesse proudly noted, “To date, we’ve assisted 1,800 refugees in securing meaningful job opportunities. But it doesn’t stop there. We are equally committed to facilitating their access to education, ensuring they can further enhance their skills before entering the job market.”
To date, more than 35,000 people from 90 countries have registered on Invicta, with 7,000 of them completing online courses and more than 2,200 refugees finding meaningful employment online.
Her commitment extends across 90 countries, reaching displaced individuals in diverse corners of the world.
Eden Tadesse’s remarkable journey, from the challenging streets of Addis Ababa to the global stage as a champion for refugee rights, illustrates the transformative power of dedication, innovation, and a commitment to uplifting the lives of those in need.
According to Tadesse, the plight of refugees across the world has reached a new low, hence the urgent need for governments globally to take substantial action.
“We need governments to set proper policies and initiatives necessary to address the multifaceted challenges faced by refugees, particularly women and children,” she said, highlighting the challenges women and children face in refugees.
They include lack of access to clean water and sanitation, along with basic necessities among others.
“Women and children are the most vulnerable groups within refugee camps because they grapple with issues of survival and dignity because men are able to venture out in search of employment opportunities, leaving women and children to bear the brunt of the refugee experience,” she said.
Tadesse’s resolve to address these disparities fueled her determination to create tangible change.
“We are helping people secure employment, providing them with essential technical skills, as well as guidance in business and marketing,” she said during the interview.
Prime Minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida: commitment to resilient, equitable, and sustainable universal health coverage.
The 2023 Global Goalkeeper Award, recognizing leaders driving progress toward achieving the Global Goals, was presented to Prime Minister Kishida, for his commitment to resilient, equitable, and sustainable universal health coverage. Kishida has also championed embedding the Global Goals in Japan’s development cooperation charter and strengthening global health architecture to prevent future pandemics.
Ashu Martha Agbornyenty: reducing high rates of maternal mortality in Cameroon.
The 2023 Changemaker Award, which celebrates an individual who has inspired change using personal experience or from a position of leadership, was presented to Ashu Martha Agbornyenty for her work reducing high rates of maternal mortality in Cameroon. She writes about the work of midwives and shares her knowledge on pregnancy through her blog, Marthie’s Midwifery Diary. Through her For Mom & Baby Foundation, she and her team provide community workshops and distribute emergency kits containing essential birth supplies to pregnant women in crisis-stricken areas, reaching 1,000 women and girls in the region since 2021.
The Farmlink Project: advocating for food equity in the United States
The 2023 Campaign Award was presented to The Farmlink Project, founded by Aidan Reilly, Ben Collier, and James Kanoff, for advocating for food equity in the United States. This project, with its network of more than 600 student fellows and 6,000 volunteers, has provided 83 million meals and transferred over 130 million pounds of nutritious food to communities facing hunger.
Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter: extraordinary work in disease eradication.
The Goalkeepers Lifetime Achievement Award honored former President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter for their extraordinary work in disease eradication, mental health, democracy, conflict resolution, human rights, and combating neglected tropical diseases.
Bono, founder of the ONE Campaign and (RED): impact on SDG progress through advocacy and campaigning.
The Goalkeepers Voice Award was presented to Bono, founder of the ONE Campaign and (RED), for his significant impact on SDG progress through advocacy and campaigning.
Bill and Melinda Gates said these remarkable individuals and initiatives represent the spirit of positive change and progress, offering hope and inspiration to a world in need.
