Hamidine Boukari Mahamadou Saminou, a 2024 Aspire Leaders Program alumnus, is a dedicated climate advocate and the founder of Youth Emergency Leaders for Climate Change (YELCC). His journey has been shaped by a simple conviction: young people are not merely the leaders of tomorrow; they are essential actors of change today.
Identifying Purpose through Challenges
Growing up in Niger, Boukari witnessed firsthand the realities of climate change. Across the country, communities faced droughts, desertification, food insecurity, and environmental degradation. He saw how these challenges affected livelihoods and the opportunities available for millions of people, especially young people.
“As a student, I often asked myself an important question: if climate change is already affecting our communities so deeply, what role can young people play in addressing it?” He said.
This question became the foundation of Boukari’s engagement in climate action and youth leadership.
Gaining Global Perspective
In 2024, Boukari was selected to join the first cohort of the 2024 Aspire Leaders Program. He was seeking opportunities to strengthen his leadership skills, expand his network, and learn from people who shared a commitment to creating positive change.
“The Aspire Leaders Program became a transformative experience for me,” he said. “One of the most valuable lessons I learned from Aspire was that leadership is not about holding a position or title. Leadership is about identifying challenges, mobilizing people, and creating solutions that improve the lives of others.”
Boukari’s time in the program helped him develop confidence in his ability to contribute to international conversations and pursue opportunities beyond his immediate environment.
“It reinforced my belief that young people from countries like Niger have important perspectives and solutions to offer the world,” he said.
Creating Youth Emergency Leaders for Climate Change (YELCC)
Boukari’s experiences, coupled with the urgent climate challenges facing Niger, inspired him to create the Youth Emergency Leaders for Climate Change (YELCC).
“The vision behind YELCC is simple but ambitious: empower young people to become leaders in climate action, environmental protection, and sustainable development,” he said.
Though still in the early stages of their organization, Boukari and his team are working to build a platform where young people can learn, collaborate, and develop practical solutions for environmental and social challenges. Over time, they hope to transform YELCC into a leading youth-led organization in Niger and across Francophone Africa, helping train future climate leaders and creating opportunities for young people to participate in national and international decision-making processes.
“We believe that youth are not passive beneficiaries of development programs. They are innovators, educators, advocates, and agents of change,” he said.
Adapting to Obstacles
One of the most significant milestones in Boukari’s journey came in 2026 when he was selected as a Rapporteur and Analyst for Her Turn Harvest 2026.
Her Turn Harvest is a program that brings together young leaders from different countries to engage in discussions on global governance, leadership, and international cooperation. It also provides participants with an opportunity to contribute to conversations surrounding the selection of the next Secretary-General of the United Nations.
“Being selected for this program was a tremendous honor,” he said. “As the only participant from Niger in the cohort, I felt a strong sense of responsibility to represent not only myself but also the aspirations of young people from my country and region.”
For Boukari, being offered this opportunity was clear proof that young voices from underrepresented communities can contribute meaningfully to global discussions and policy conversations. He was thrilled to participate — but soon encountered a significant challenge.
The in-person component of Her Turn Harvest was scheduled to take place in Geneva, Switzerland. Despite extensive efforts to secure financial support, he was unable to raise the necessary funds for travel and accommodation.
“Like many young leaders from developing countries, I encountered a reality that is often overlooked: access to international opportunities is not only about talent or commitment. Financial barriers can also play a major role,” he said.
The barrier was there, but rather than giving up his participation, Boukari chose to focus on what remained possible. He found a way to participate online and fulfill his responsibilities as a Rapporteur throughout the program.
This experience taught Boukari an important lesson: meaningful participation is not always determined by physical presence. Commitment, preparation, and the willingness to contribute can overcome many obstacles.
Throughout the program, he had the privilege of interacting with young leaders from different cultural, academic, and professional backgrounds — exchanges which broadened his understanding of global governance and highlighted the importance of inclusive leadership.
“I learned that the challenges facing our world — climate change, inequality, conflict, and sustainable development — cannot be solved by governments alone,” he said. “They require collaboration among young people, civil society, international institutions, and local communities.”
The program also strengthened his belief in the importance of youth participation in decision-making processes. As the ones most often the most affected by long-term policy decisions, they are frequently excluded from the spaces where those decisions are made. Boukari’s work is dedicated to ensuring that young voices are not only heard, but actively involved in shaping solutions.
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Boukari wants to help create a generation of young leaders in Niger and across Africa who are equipped with the knowledge, confidence, and skills needed to address the challenges of our time.
Through YELCC, he hopes to develop leadership and climate education programs that empower young people to become advocates, innovators, and changemakers, while also strengthening partnerships between African youth organizations and international institutions. Boukari’s goal is to ensure that young Africans have greater access to leadership opportunities, training programs, and global networks.
“I want young people to understand that their circumstances do not define their potential,” he said. “Coming from a developing country should never limit one’s ambitions. My own journey — from a student in Niger, to an Aspire Leaders Program participant, to a Her Turn Rapporteur — has shown me that opportunities can emerge when determination meets preparation.”
Boukari believes that the future of Africa will be shaped by the creativity, resilience, and leadership of its young people.
“By investing in youth today, we invest in a more sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous tomorrow,” he said. “And that is a future worth building together.”
