Founder and Executive Director
Wantoe T. Wantoe
Wantoe T. Wantoe is an exceptional individual who has dedicated his life to advocating for the rights of women and children and has emerged as one of Liberia and Africa’s leading advocates for global sustainability and youth development. Wantoe earned a Master Degree in Public Policy from the University of Oxford.
As a testament to his leadership and influence, Wantoe was invited to serve as the National Orator of Liberia’s Flag Day on August 24, 2023, making him the youngest orator in his country history at a critical time of election mark by a period of intense political division.
Wantoe’s remarkable rise to prominence has not gone unnoticed, as his exceptional contributions have garnered accolades from both local and international arenas. He is a remarkable individual who has made significant contributions to youth development, children rights and social change. In 2013, Wantoe was appointed as the youth representative to Liberia’s Independent National Human Rights Commission, marking his first major responsibility. In this role, he spearheaded a project focused on strengthening bystander protection and improving access to human rights investigations. Wantoe’s dedication to human rights also led him to play a crucial role in establishing the first youth structures for child rights institutions across all 15 counties of Liberia, ensuring that the voices and rights of children were given due consideration and protection. In 2014, he took on the vital task of documenting the violations committed against 785 orphaned and neglected children during the Ebola outbreak, as a member of the Liberia National Children and Youth Advisory Board. This important work led to his selection as the youngest preliminary speaker at the United Nations World Humanitarian Summit, representing West African countries and global youth.
During the summit, Wantoe delivered a powerful speech that resulted in over 3,000 commitments to action and the establishment of numerous partnerships dedicated to ending the Ebola outbreak and addressing humanitarian disasters worldwide.
Wantoe unwavering dedication has earned him numerous international accolades. He has been recognized by Princess Diana and was awarded at the 2017 Summer Youth Assembly by the Friendship Ambassador Foundation. He is a certified 2019 Obama Foundation Leadership Asset and Dialogue Alumni, as well as a recipient of the 2019 Princess Diana Award. In 2018, he was honored as the Global Young Voices SDGs Champion Winner, and in 2020, he received the Friend of Humanity Distinguished Alumni Awardat the Youth Asembly. The College of Mount Saint Vincent also acknowledged his contributions to global enlightenment, student consciousness, and systemic change in June 2020, granting him the Vincent De-Paul Award. He further received the Frédéric Ozanam Award in 2021.
Wantoe was named one of eight ‘Young Pacesetters for African Development’ by the African Renaissance and Diaspora Network in June 2022, during the Africa Day celebrations at the United Nations Trustee Chambers.
Currently, Wantoe serves as a Steering Member on the United Nations Department of Global Communication Youth Steering Committee, where he actively contributes to the development and implementation of global youth policies. In addition, he has been appointed to the AFS Youth Assembly Advisory Council, leveraging his expertise to provide guidance on youth-related initiatives.
Wantoe’s exemplary work and dedication to creating positive change have not gone unnoticed. This year, he was honored to be selected as one of the 400 Impactful Individuals in the University of Oxford Pembroke College’s 400-year history. This prestigious recognition celebrates the exceptional achievements and contributions of students, alumni, and staff, showcasing Wantoe’s significant impact and contributions.