Global Youth Coalition Member Feature: Meriam Mwanyangapo

1. Where are you connected right now? Tell us about the work you're doing.
I'm from Namibia. I work as an entrepreneur, road safety campaigner, youth activist, life coach, and mentor.

2. How did you first get involved in road safety and how long have you been working in the road safety and sustainable mobility field? 
I have been a road safety festival holidays educator and campaigner under Namibian Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVA Fund) for the past 3 years.

3. Can you tell us a little bit about the road safety and sustainable mobility situation in your area?
Under the road authorities fund, we have companies like MVA fund, private sector road safety institutions, and many other companies that contribute to road safety. These companies have festival season campaigns to educate people about safety on the roads. Even though Namibia is ranked number one in terms of the best roads in Africa, it also contributes to the high number of road crashes in the country. A high estimation of young people who have lost their lives on the road was attributed to drunk driving and speeding. Admittedly, we have a long way to go but with more road safety campaigns, we will definitely get there.

4. Why do you think it's important to include young people in local and global road safety efforts?
As the phrase goes, “young people are the future leaders of tomorrow”. It's great to have youth involved in every decision made by governments and other decision-making bodies. It’s great that we contribute to the betterment of our own future as well as the future of the next generation.

5. Why did you join the Global Youth Coalition for Road Safety? 
I love learning fresh and new ideas from others. Socialising is my thing! Inquiring about new knowledge and information is very important and I hope I can also be a great contributor to the organization. The Zoom meetings have helped contribute to the journey. 

6. What are your comments on the Coalition? Its activities? Its opportunities?
The activities are life-long solutions to the problems we face on our roads. Through the process of the Coalition, you will be able to meet people with different capabilities - young people from disadvantaged backgrounds can grab new opportunities and use them to the best of their abilities. The Coalition helps youth become great contributors to their communities.

7. Any messages for people who have not yet joined the coalition? 
Take this opportunity and grab it with both hands! It’s the best thing that can ever happen to you. People in the coalition are amazing and they are willing to help you archive anything you can think of. Take this opportunity and join the Global Youth Coalition for Road Safety, you will definitely not regret joining the team. It’s hard and you need an amount of dedication to the organization but at the end of the day, it all pays off. It’s amazing to be part of the team.