Youth RISE: Promoting Harm Reduction & Drug Policy Reform

Our International Working Group (IWG) brings together around 30 young advocates and young people who use drugs from around the world. The group works together to represent their local and regional communities of young people who use drugs and other young key populations in the international drug policy arena, promoting evidence-based drug policies for youth, and contributing their skills and knowledge to network strengthening.

How does the IWG work?

IWG members work from their home country and represent Youth RISE and the needs of young people who use drugs and are affected by drug policy in their region. IWG members, along with the coordinators, take major decisions regarding work plans such as advocacy messages, campaigns, and strategic planning for the network.

In order to better represent young people who use drugs, Youth RISE depends on the International Working Group members to communicate the realities and needs of the most affected young people and articulate how to support them better.

How to become an IWG member?

If you are interested in becoming a member, keep an eye out on our social media for the next opportunity to join our International Working Group (we usually open up applications at the start of the year). A likely candidate should be able to dedicate time and energy to teamwork, have some knowledge and experience in the drug policy field, and implement tasks independently. More information on the role of an IWG member can be found in the IWG Terms of Reference, and get in contact with us if you are interest by emailing us at carolina@youthrise.org and ruby@youthrise.org.

Youth RISE membership around the world

Meet our International Working Group members

Teresa Castro

Portugal

teresa.almeidacastro@gmail.com

Amine Gahfez

Algeria

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Estefania Villamizar

Colombia

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Atika Juristia

Canada

atika@j-initiative.org

Aden McCracken

Unites States, based in Thailand

ajmccrac@stanford.edu

Vincentius Azvian

Indonesia

vincentiusazvian@gmail.com

Ana Ubiliva

Georgia

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Carolina Arredondo

United States

carredo4@uoregon.edu

Elena Keller

United States, based in Switzerland

elenam.keller@gmail.com