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International Partnerships
News announcement1 April 2022BrusselsDirectorate-General for International Partnerships

Commissioner Urpilainen appoints new Special Adviser on Youth

special adviser on youth

Today, Qyira Yusri starts her mandate as the new Special Adviser on Youth to Commissioner Urpilainen, following the College’s endorsement of her appointment. A Malaysian national, Ms Yusri will help shape EU International Partnerships’ policies in particular by providing advice on youth empowerment and political participation. Her expertise will contribute to making EU external action more participatory, relevant and effective for young people. She succeeds to Bitania Lulu Berhanu from Ethiopia, who was the first Special Adviser on Youth to Commissioner Urpilainen in 2021.

“Young people can make a difference in the way we shape the world of tomorrow, which belongs first and foremost to them. The current geopolitical context shows us that young people must be empowered as political actors, and as peace-builders and keepers. I want to thank Bitania Lulu Berhanu for her invaluable advice as my first Special Adviser on youth, and look forward to working with Qyira Yusri to make our work more inclusive of youth across the globe”, says EU Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen.

About Qyira Yusri

Qyira Yusri is the co-founder and programme director of Undi 18, a Malaysian non-partisan organisation advocating to lower the voting age from 21 to 18 years old. Qyira Yusri is particularly engaged in topics such as voter education, human rights, policy reform and leadership development.

Ms Yusri’s commitment to social causes was recognised by Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 in the category of Social Impact in 2020.

She has a bachelor’s degree with two majors in Communication Studies and Gender and Women’s Studies from the Western Michigan University (USA).  

Details

Publication date
1 April 2022
Author
Directorate-General for International Partnerships
Location
Brussels