Kanchan Amatya adds another feather to her cap.
The 21-year-old Nepali social entrepreneur and activist has been honored with the Clinton Global Initiative Presidential Honor Roll Award by former US President Bill Clinton, during the 10th annual Clinton Global Initiative University meeting held in Boston. The recognition celebrated the dedication and passion of the world’s most accomplished young commitment leaders and social entrepreneurs who have made significant impact through their Commitment to Action.
Along with Bill Clinton, the event was attended by his daughter Chelsea Clinton, vice-chair of the Clinton Foundation; Northeastern President Joseph E. Aoun; Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh; former Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright; among other distinguished leaders, social entrepreneurs, activists and policy makers. Over 1500 leaders from more than 90 countries gathered together for the event, making more than 750 Commitments to Action to address the most pressing challenges of this generation. Also, a funding of $75,000 was made available to selected attendees to help them turn their ideas into action.
Amatya is the Founder and Executive Director of Sustainable Fish Farming Initiative, a social enterprise that is empowering women farmers in rural Nepal through sustainable fish farming practices. She also is the UN Women’s Global Champion for Women’s Economic Empowerment and UN Zero Hunger Champion.
Born and raised in Lalitpur, Amatya earned a scholarship to study at United World College in Norway at age 15. She has since then traveled across all continents – achieving new milestones. In 2015, she was awarded with the Resolution Fellowship for her outstanding work in leading innovation solutions to change patterns across society.
Her activism in Nepal and the United States includes work around reproductive health rights as well as leading delegation to pass the Girls Count Act at the White House, which is now a law of the United states. She represents and advocates for Nepalese youths and children at the White House AAPI Youth Forum, White House Initiative on Asian American and Pacific Islanders. As the ambassador to Women Protection and Prevention Center (WPPC), she has also worked with women survivors of gender-based violence in Nepal. In 2016, she addressed the United Nations as the youngest Nepali delegate during 2016 UN High Level Political Forum at UN HQ in New York.
Earlier this year, Amatya was awarded with 2017 Everyday Young Hero Award by Youth Service America. She was also featured in the list of 100 Young Leaders Under 25 by Impact Squared, UK. Later this year in December, she will be representing Nepal in the 2017 World Bank Youth Summit at the World Bank Headquarters, DC.
