Petroleum and geosystems engineering sophomore Karan Jerath was chosen as one of 17 United Nations Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Young Leaders, a group of students, authors and startup founders from around the world, were recognized for their leadership and contribution to achieving the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes a set of 17 goals to end poverty, fight injustice and tackle climate change by 2030.
“The UN Young Leader recognition is a huge honor for me,” Jerath said. “I am very humbled. It strengthens what I have been learning — good ideas are encouraged no matter how old you are. It gives me the confidence to continue working hard and making an impact.”
The Young Leaders are active for two years and will advocate for the sustainable development goals to their peers and audiences. Each year, a new class of Young Leaders will be selected through an open call for nominations.
Jerath, who is the youngest member of the inaugural class of Young Leaders, was selected from a pool of more than 18,000 nominations from 186 countries. He hopes to spend his time as a Young Leader promoting STEM education and demonstrating sustainability efforts through an engineering lens.
