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Vanessa Nakate
Vanessa Nakate is a Ugandan climate-justice activist and author whose advocacy emphasizes the effects of climate change on children and communities in Africa and the wider Global South. She founded an Africa-focused climate initiative and has served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2022.
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About Vanessa Nakate
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Uganda · Climate-justice activist, Author
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- Climate-justice activist
- Author
At a glance
- Nakate advocates for climate justice and greater inclusion of African and Global South communities in climate action.
- She was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador on 15 September 2022.
- She began a solitary climate strike in Kampala in January 2019 and is identified by the United Nations Youth Office as Uganda's first Fridays for Future climate activist.
- She is the author of A Bigger Picture, a book about climate change and climate justice published in 2021.
Climate activism
Nakate began a solitary climate strike in Kampala in January 2019 in response to climate inaction. The United Nations Youth Office identifies her as Uganda's first Fridays for Future climate activist. Her subsequent advocacy has focused on climate justice and on the experiences of children, activists, and communities disproportionately affected by climate change, particularly in Africa and the Global South.
Organizations and public roles
Nakate founded an Africa-focused initiative that UNICEF calls the Rise Up Movement and the United Nations Youth Office calls the Rise Up Climate Movement. She was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in September 2022 and remained listed in that role as of 22 August 2026. Malala Fund also listed her as a member of its U.S. board on that date.
Writing and recognition
Nakate wrote A Bigger Picture, a book addressing climate change and climate justice that was published in October 2021. She was selected for the United Nations' 2020 class of Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals and was included in TIME100 Next in 2021.
Education and public visibility
Nakate holds a degree in Business Administration in Marketing from Makerere University Business School. In January 2020, the Associated Press publicly expressed regret after publishing a photograph from which she had been cropped.
Timeline
- Began a solitary climate strike in Kampala against climate inaction.
- The Associated Press issued a public statement regretting publication of a photograph that cropped Nakate out.
- Selected as a United Nations Young Leader for the Sustainable Development Goals.
- Included in TIME100 Next.
- A Bigger Picture was published.
- Appointed UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.
Additional verified details
Current context
- UNICEF's Goodwill Ambassador directory lists Vanessa Nakate as a Goodwill Ambassador since 2022.
- Malala Fund's board page lists Vanessa Nakate as a U.S. Board Member.
Biographical facts
- The United Nations Youth Office identifies Nakate as Uganda's first Fridays for Future climate activist.
- Nakate holds a degree in Business Administration in Marketing from Makerere University Business School.
- Nakate is the author of A Bigger Picture, a book about climate change and climate justice.
- Nakate was selected as a United Nations Young Leader for the Sustainable Development Goals in the 2020 class.
- Nakate was included in TIME100 Next in 2021.
Connections
Affiliations
Affiliations associated with Vanessa Nakate.
- Rise Up Movement Founder
- UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador 2022-09-15–present
- Malala Fund U.S. Board Member present
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