5 minutes with Young Women in Sustainable Development founder, Ané Coetzee

Ane believes that young women have a crucial role to play in advocating for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Through her organisation, Young Women in Sustainable Development, she has reached more than 100 countries, helping to inspire inclusivity and progress through advocacy, policy input and by harnessing the collective power of like-minded women.

Ané completed her Master of Commerce from the University of Sydney in 2019 and has actively applied her insights to pave the way for a more sustainable future. From strategic engagements in Australia, Fiji and the United States, to leading the creation of the first official Australian Youth Statement and Policy Recommendation that was submitted to the UNFCCC Youth Constituency as part of COP26 processes, she has used her voice and knowledge for positive change.

I founded Young Women in Sustainable Development (YWISD) to empower young women to take action on the most pressing issues facing the world today as outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

At YWISD we amplify the voices of young women in every stage of sustainable development, from policy to implementation, and provide a range of opportunities for young women to use their skills to drive impact.

Each of us is unique and so too is the way that we can be change-makers in our communities. There are so many different ways that young women can have impact and support a sustainable future.

Whether through policy work, advocacy, engagement with key stakeholders, grassroots solutions or programs work, we know that every young woman has the power to change the world for the better and our work aims to support women in their mission. We provide multiple opportunities through volunteering, events and social media to connect with other young women seeking to make a positive change in the world.

My biggest tip for young people who are starting their journey as changemakers is to use the tools available to them in the moment to raise awareness of global issues. For some people this might mean using social media, for others it could mean raising awareness in their school, workplace or university etc. Global change requires local action and every action helps brings us to a more sustainable future.

For current students, I would encourage them to join any of the many sustainability programs that the University of Sydney Students Union is currently running and keep up to date with the Sydney Environment Institute’s work.

For alumni, I would encourage them to look at programs or volunteer opportunities available through their local council or within their workplace. There are also many sustainability charities that rely on the contributions of volunteers to advance their goals. 

As a global community it’s important that we recognise the valuable contribution that people from all lived experiences make to society. As an organisation working on the Sustainable Development Goals we often talk about how to make sure that we are working towards a better future for all where no one gets left behind and I would encourage other organisations to do the same. To make sure their approach to whatever field they are working in is one that champions diversity and seeks to drive positive outcomes for all.

Attending the University of Sydney was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Not only because of the skills and knowledge I gained through my studies but because of all the amazing people I was able to meet from all corners of the world.

Working in an international field often requires an international mindset – an understanding of the common threads that unite us all and the contextual differences that make our experiences unique.

The University of Sydney is a global university that prepares graduates for whatever global opportunities they would like to pursue and I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of the Sydney community.