WYCJ Asia

Nicole is an environmental activist and human rights lawyer-advocate from the Philippines. She holds degrees in political science and law. Particularly interested in the interface between law, science, and policy, she serves as the Asian front convener for WYCJ and is part of the global steering committee.

Currently, most of her efforts are focused on obtaining an Advisory Opinion from the International Court of Justice relating to human rights in the face of the climate crisis under the World’s Youth for Climate Justice (“WYCJ”).

She recently completed her work for the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), under the Normandy Chair for Peace in France as an ingénieur d'étude. Her work mainly involves the application of international law on themes involving climate justice, climate change law, international environmental law, human rights, peace and security, and the recognition of the rights of future generations.

In 2019, Nicole founded a youth organization in the Philippines called "I am Climate Justice" and organized Filipino youth to take action in the face of the climate crisis. It had three main objectives: individual initiatives, community and country involvement, and global initiatives. Nicole is a youth representative and petitioner to the UN Philippine Mission to the United Nations for the ICJ Advisory Opinion campaign on climate change and human rights.

Nicole is determined to use the law as a tool for social change, especially in the field of climate action and human rights.

Email: nicole@wy4cj.org

Dulki has completed an LL.B. (Hons) from the University of London, a B.A. (Hons) in Interior Design from the University of Northumbria at Newcastle, and an LL.M. and M.Phil. in Law from the University of Colombo. She is a Senior Executive Researcher at the Centre for Environmental Law and Policy (CELP), affiliated with the Faculty of Law at the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. She has a particular interest in animal law and climate change-related issues. Dulki is the first Sri Lankan recipient of a full scholarship from Lewis & Clark Law School in the USA to study in the renowned Online LLM in Animal Law program. She is also the Deputy Front Convenor for the WYCJ - Asian Front.

Email: dulki@wy4cj.org

Prajwol is a lawyer based in Nepal and is currently working as a Human Rights Officer at Human Rights and Justice Centre. He is pursuing a Masters in Political Science at Tribhuvan University. He is also engaged as a Research Consultant (Nepal) for the Centre for Environmental Law and Policy affiliated to the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka on a three years research project on Crimes against Future Generations. Prajwol is interested in the comparative study of environmental laws of South Asian countries, crimes against future generations, human rights, and youth activism. Prajwol believes WYCJ became a platform for him to implement the bookish knowledge of international law into practice by advocating for the Advisory Opinion of ICJ.

Email: prajwol@wy4cj.org

Raeesa, unlike all the law students, is from an arts background with a passion for climate justice. Despite her non-traditional academic path, her commitment to environmental activism is unmistakable. Utilizing various artistic mediums such as performance and storytelling, she endeavors to educate and raise awareness about the profound consequences of climate change, emphasizing the significance of the Advisory Opinion. She assumes the role of communications lead for the Asian Front and views her involvement with WYCJ as a conduit for her advocacy efforts.

Email: raaesa@wy4cj.org

Aditi is an environmental lawyer dedicated to achieving climate justice. At WYCJ, she leads the Legal Advocacy and Academic Taskforce and contributes to the Asian Front's development. She is a researcher in Public International Law and Environmental Law at the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL). Aditi holds an LL.M. in Global Environmental Law and Governance and a master's diploma in India's National Environmental Law and Policy. Before focusing on environmental law, she practiced civil and criminal law in Mumbai, India.

Email: aditi@wy4cj.org

Justin researches and teaches law at the National University of Singapore. He graduated from the University of Oxford with an LLB in Jurisprudence and Bachelor of Civil Law (LLM). He has written on property law, environmental law, and company law.

Justin's role as the Asia Front's Academic Coordinator has him lead experts in the Asian Front to work with stakeholders on their legal arguments for the ICJ Advisory Opinion. As the Singapore Front’s co-coordinator, Justin has represented WYCJ in national events like the Singapore Local Conference of Youth. Together with Terese, Justin engages with government, academic stakeholders, and the community on Singapore’s position on the ICJ Advisory Opinion.

Email: justin@wy4cj.org

Clare Lagan is a PhD candidate at the University of Western Australia Law School, researching the role of climate litigation in protecting the environmental rights of future generations. She has a Masters in Human Rights from Sciences Po, Paris, majoring in Environment and Sustainability Studies and has previously worked on issues of climate displacement. Clare is engaged in the climate movement both locally and through World Youth for Climate Justice’s Asian Front, and is interested in the potential of the ICJ Advisory Opinion to advance human rights protections and intergenerational climate justice.

Email: australia@wy4cj.org

Moumita Das Gupta is an Advocate practicing in the High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh and working as a Research Fellow of Centre for Climate Justice – Bangladesh (CCJ-B). She completed her LL.B (Honours) and LL.M, both from Department of Law, University of Chittagong. Along with professional activities she is engaged with different voluntary activities also. Working with World Youth for Climate Justice is one of those. She is one of the National Rapporteurs on Global Climate Litigation working with the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law of Columbia Law School.

Email: bangladesh@wy4cj.org

I am Nishat Tasnim, currently in my final year of LL.B at the University of Chittagong, Bangladesh. Growing up in Chittagong, an area highly vulnerable to climate change, I have personally witnessed the devastating effects it has had on my community. Witnessing the challenges faced by my community has inspired me to completely dive myself in the realm of climate change policy-making and climate justice. I am committed to utilising the law as a powerful instrument for driving social transformation, particularly in the realms of climate change and human rights.

Email: bangladesh@wy4cj.org

Syed Tanvir Azam Taif is an Advocate at the Chattogram Judges’ Court and working as a Research Assistant of the Centre for Climate Justice-Bangladesh (CCJ-B). He completed his LL.B. (Honours) and LL.M. from the Department of Law, University of Chittagong, Bangladesh. He has been involved in activities on promoting climate justice. He presented a paper on climate justice at a law conference and is currently working on the loss and damage.

Email: bangladesh@wy4cj.org

Passang is a young lawyer and WYCJ National Lead of Bhutan. He holds LLB and Post Graduate Diploma in National Law from Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law. His interests revolve around criminal law, international law, environmental law and human rights law.

Email: bhutan@wy4cj.org

Karma Wangmo is a law student in Bhutan and a member of the Bhutan Front for WYCJ. She is deeply passionate about social justice causes and climate advocacy. Karma loves volunteering and enjoys collaborating with youth, believing in the power of young people to drive meaningful change. Her commitment to these causes is evident in her numerous community projects and initiatives aimed at fostering awareness and inspiring action among the younger generation. Through her efforts, Karma strives to create a more equitable future for all.

Email: bhutan@wy4cj.org

Shristi is a law and economics student at Kathmandu University, Nepal, dedicated to climate justice advocacy. She is also a youth facilitator working on child rights and sexual and reproductive health rights. Recently, she completed a course in Sustainable Development and the Law from the University of Cambridge, further solidifying her commitment to her cause. Shristi believes in the power of voice and the importance of amplifying marginalized perspectives.

In the past, Shristi has facilitated workshops on climate action and youth empowerment with the British Council, Nepal, and has led a British Council-funded project promoting climate awareness among young pupils during her tenure as Youth for Climate Action Facilitator. She has also conducted climate smart innovation projects as a Climate Justice Fellow at the Digo Bikas Institute. Awarded the Young Female Leader, 2022 fellowship by Power Shift Nepal, she worked to research on the impact of climate change on sexual and reproductive health. Further, she has presented award-winning research on human-wildlife conflicts due to climate change at an international regional conference. Committed to inclusivity and equity, she aims to foster a sustainable and just world for all.

Email: nepal@wy4cj.org

Sushmita is a lawyer based in Nepal and currently serves as the national campaigner for the Asian Front of World Youth for Climate Justice. She has previously held the position of Chief of Staff at the Secretariat of the youngest member of the House of Representatives, Federal Parliament of Nepal. Additionally, she has experience working as a legal researcher in the Ministry of Energy, Irrigation, and Water Resources of Nepal. Her interests lie in environmental laws, energy laws, and youth activism. Sushmita is a staunch advocate for clean energy, environmental protection, and climate change mitigation. Sushmita emphasizes that we represent the future, and if current trends persist, it will be our generation that bears the consequences. Hence, despite not being responsible for causing climate change, young people have the potential and responsibility to be part of the solution. So, let’s be the part of WYCJ in addressing climate change.

Email: nepal@wy4cj.org

Altamush Saeed is a BIPOC, award-winning Pakistani Interspecies Justice lawyer, activist, philanthropist & teacher, serving as the National Front Convener (Pakistan) at WYCJ. He holds 4 advanced postgraduate degrees in law including 3 Master's in laws (LLM), respectively in Animal Law, Environmental law, Human Rights, and International Law from Lewis and Clark Law School and the University of Michigan Law School, and a BA-LLB from Lahore University of Management Sciences Pakistan.

He is an Animal Law Professor at the University of Central Punjab Law School in Lahore where he teaches Pakistan's 1st Animal Law Advocacy Course. He is a Founding Managing Partner at Environmental and Animal Rights Consultants, Pakistan’s 1st dedicated Animal and Environmental law and policy firm and a Co-Founder at Virsapur. He also co-founded Charity Doings Foundation and serves as the Animal Welfare ambassador to Comprehensive Disaster Response Services and the Deputy Director & Regional Director North America at the World Moot on International Law and Animal Rights. He is also a Junior Fellow at the Animals and Biodiversity Think Tank of the Global Research Network UK.

Email: pakistan@wy4cj.org

Muhammad Mohid Sajid from Pakistan is Best Scout of Pakistan 2020. He attended the 25th World Scout Jamboree (South Korea) and highlighted the issue of climate change in Pakistan along with volunteering in the Tree Plantation Project held there. He fervently intends to launch projects that covers SDG-13 (Climate Action),SDG-14 (Life below Water) and SDG-15 (Life on Earth) under the assistance of WY4CJ.

Email: pakistan@wy4cj.org

Ninna is a climate and environmental advocate from Rizal, the Philippines. Her interests include transformative environmental education, youth empowerment in climate policy, and community-based conservation.

Email: philippines@wy4cj.org

Terese (she/her) is a final year undergraduate majoring in environmental and political science at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Currently, she is President of local climate advocacy group Singapore Youth for Climate Action (SYCA) and Co-Coordinator of the World's Youth for Climate Justice (Singapore Front). Having volunteered in environmental spaces in the last five years, she has experience organising climate-related policy workshops, youth conferences and campaigns. Her main interests lie in using the power of the law to create spaces for climate justice and raising awareness of a regional and international just transition. She aspires to be an environmental lawyer providing legal aid to help communities safeguard their culture, health and resources for generations to come.

Email: singapore@wy4cj.org

Han Ying Jie (she/they) recently graduated from the National University of Singapore (NUS) with an LLB (Honours), and will soon become a Research Assistant at the Centre of International Law, NUS. During their undergraduate studies, Ying Jie held the position of President at the Environmental Law Students Association (ELSA), an NUS Faculty of Law interest group, through which she strove to bridge law students to environmental spaces and advocacy. Ying Jie has also undertaken research relating to climate change law, and is particularly interested in the issues of environmental constitutionalism and re-imagining our legal systems in the current anthropocene.

Email: singapore@wy4cj.org

Sajini Wickramasinghe is an Attorney-at-Law and an advocate in climate justice, human rights, participatory democracy and disarmament from Sri Lanka.She is a Youth Climate Ambassador of British Council Sri Lanaka and was part of its COP28 delegation representing Sri Lanka. Sajini is the current Co-Lead of the Sri Lanka Front of the WYCJ.

Email: srilanka@wy4cj.org

Radhini completed her LLB at the University of Peradeniya and went on to graduate from the University of Oxford with a Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL). She works as a senior researcher for the Centre for Environmental Law and Policy, University of Colombo, and her areas of interest are environmental law, child rights, and health law.

Email: srilanka@wy4cj.org

Lilan Dayananda, an international award-winning young social tech entrepreneur, has garnered recognition for his impactful work in social entrepreneurship. He stands out as one of the top ten Social Entrepreneurs of the Global-South, acknowledged by prestigious organizations like the United Nations Youth Envoy’s Office and UNDP Youth Co: Lab. Lilan’s commitment to excellence is evident through his accolades, such as being the only Sri Lankan Commonwealth Youth Awardee for his outstanding development efforts and his nomination for the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust Youth Award. His innovative solutions in food security, climate action, and sustainability have earned him a place among the top 100 meaningful business founders recognized by Ernst & Young (EY), Hogan Lovells Global Law Firms.

He is an ALS Public Policy fellow of the Harris School of Public Policy from the University of Chicago and an Anubhav fellow of the Indian School of Public Policy. Lilan is also a graduate of the Stanford Seed Spark Program at Stanford University. His journey continues, driven by a passion for meaningful impact and a dedication to creating positive change in the world.

Email: srilanka@wy4cj.org

Chithmini Bandara is a final year law undergraduate at the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo. She currently serves as the Secretary of the Pro Bono Department of the Law Students' Association of Sri Lanka. Known for her dedication and efficiency, Chithmini is passionate about volunteering and has a keen interest in environmental law and climate justice. She is a driven individual committed to making a positive impact through her work and advocacy.

Email: srilanka@wy4cj.org