Ekin Akman is a youth representative and education activist from Ankara, Turkey. She is the founder of Cognitive Coven, an online research platform that combats gender-based violence in the MENA Region. The platform was established to raise awareness and find solutions to gender-based violence in the region. Ekin is also the founder and executive director of The Power of Youth Writers, a non-profit organization that aims to provide access to equitable education in 7 different countries. This organization focuses on empowering young people through education and aims to provide equal opportunities in education by providing them with writing skills. Through these initiatives, Ekin has had the opportunity to collaborate with important organizations such as Malala Fund, UN WOMEN and UN Foundation Girl Up.

Ekin’s roles for young people are not limited to these. She represents the United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth as a youth ambassador and serves as the youngest member of the UNICEF Child Labour Advisory Board. She is also a national activist for UN WOMEN ECA, advocating for gender equality. Despite her young age, Ekin, who has taken important steps in the field of entrepreneurship, has been able to participate in decision-making processes regarding youth development and education policies thanks to this journey. In this context, she is a consultant to UNDP for Turkey Digital Youth Centers and serves as the youngest member of the UNICEF Business Advisory Board. She also continues her work as the focal point of the UNICEF x Generation Unlimited Youth Leadership Council.

Ekin Akman’s vision on education sees education as a goal, not a tool. According to her, education should not only provide individuals with information, but also an opportunity for personal development and skill acquisition. Based on this idea, she carries out studies to ensure the active participation of young people in education and support them in the process of shaping their own future. Ekin has established an online education platform called Adipu, benefiting from the European Union Fund, especially so that young people can personalize their education according to their interests. Adipu is designed as a platform that allows young people to access free lessons and workshops. Thanks to this platform, the right to access education is supported for every young person, regardless of their socioeconomic status. Ekin’s goal is to provide equal opportunities in education and enable young people to use their potential at the highest level.

Ekin Akman carries out important projects not only in education but also in the field of science. She works as a nuclear physics researcher at Lokman Hekim University and is an instructor at FIRST Robotics. In addition, as an independent researcher, she is working on microneedle patches that will revolutionize diabetes treatment. This project aims to make the lives of diabetic patients easier and offer an innovative approach to treatment processes. By bringing together her scientific research and educational projects, Ekin aims to make a difference in both the scientific and personal development of young people.

In addition to all these achievements, Ekin Akman’s biggest goal is to make young people’s voices heard more and to enable them to produce solutions to social problems. Ekin, who mobilizes young people with her determination to reform education and science, focuses on raising not only today’s but also tomorrow’s leaders. Her vision is to ensure that young people participate in education not only as students, but also as creators and shapers of the process. Ekin Akman’s determination, vision and leadership provide a hopeful roadmap for the future of Turkey and the world.