Diana Chando: Advocating for youth empowerment through presidential advisory

Meet Diana Chando, a 26-year-old African Union (AU) Youth Ambassador dedicated to promoting peace and security.

Diana believes that the introduction of a presidential advisor dedicated to youth affairs will serve as a crucial link between the youth and the president, fostering positive change within communities.

She emphasises the importance of this initiative, citing examples of countries in East Africa like Burundi, Uganda, and soon Kenya, which have already begun implementing similar roles.

She says that Tanzania should follow suit, as youth play a pivotal role in nation-building, including issues of peace and security.

Well aware that the journey to success is always challenging, the daring young woman did not view her little experience in the United Nations training on peace and diplomatic relations as an obstacle to achieving her dream of becoming a UN ambassador.

Armed with degrees in law and international relations from universities in the United Kingdom, the ambitious young lady entered the interview room with the sole goal of winning, and that's exactly what happened in 2021.

Thanks to her ambitious spirit and determination, Diana is now the AU youth ambassador in the political, defense, and security department, representing 14 countries in the EAC region.

"At my desk, at the moment, we are pushing the agenda for countries in the EAC region to have a presidential youth advisor who will engage directly with the youth. Currently, youth issues are discussed broadly, but they are the ones relied upon for various aspects, including maintaining peace," she explains.

How did she get there?

Diana's success can be attributed to her proactive approach to seeking out opportunities.

Before becoming an ambassador, she demonstrated her entrepreneurial spirit by selling bamboo toothbrushes in England.

A chance encounter with a UN representative during her business activities led to a brief training stint on peace and security matters in Geneva, Switzerland.

This experience opened doors for her and paved the way for her ambassadorial role.

From that point onward, the doors to success swung open for her, proving that the sky was the limit.

Diana emphasises that success doesn't come easily; it must be earned. It requires perseverance and determination.

Despite facing discrimination and scepticism due to her gender and age, Diana remained resilient, understanding that persistence is key.

“There was a time when I faced significant challenges after becoming an ambassador. People mistreated me solely because I was a woman and considered me inexperienced due to my age."

Diana didn't give up. "I persevered, understanding that the most crucial thing is to never surrender,” she shares.

She advises young people, especially women, to ensure they seize opportunities based on their capabilities, not simply because of their gender.

She also acknowledges the challenges young people face when assuming positions of authority.

Rather than demanding immediate respect, she advises them to show humility and a willingness to learn from experienced individuals.

Learn from those around you because each person possesses competence in specific areas, she notes.

“Being an ambassador or holding any position doesn't equate to knowing everything; otherwise, one might find themselves complaining and feeling victimised. Instead, it's vital to remain open to learning from others.”

Advice to fellow youth

Diana emphasises the importance of cherishing the peace prevailing in Tanzania and advises young people to actively contribute to its preservation.

"We need to protect the peace Tanzania enjoys. Many countries are not as fortunate due to ongoing conflicts."

Drawing from her experiences, Diana highlights the importance of peace and security, saying that in many countries, youth have limited opportunities and are often drawn into conflict.

"We should appreciate the peace we enjoy and actively work towards maintaining it. I have learnt several things, specifically in the area of peace and security."

She says that in some countries, many young people are jobless, and so what’s on their minds is to carry a gun and kill.

"In Tanzania, we are lucky. I always preach peace because I know the consequences for society,” she shares.

Her vision for the future involves finding solutions to the challenges facing young people.

Through her advocacy efforts, she has successfully proposed initiatives like allocating ten percent of youth funds through banks to improve accessibility.

Diana is currently pursuing a master's degree in Climate Change and Sustainable Development at the University of Dar es Salaam.