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Najha Shamala Teniell Joseph
Student New York University Abu Dhabi
Najha Shamala Teniell Joseph is a Trinidadian youth advocate and junior at New York University Abu Dhabi, studying Social Research and Public Policy. Her work focuses on youth participation, climate resilience, and inclusive public policy — ensuring that young people and communities most affected by environmental change have a meaningful role in shaping solutions. At NYU Abu Dhabi, she holds leadership roles in residential life, mentorship, and cultural programming, creating spaces for students to build community and pursue their goals across difference, experience she draws on to think about how institutions can meaningfully include young people rather than simply consulting them. She is also Co-Founder and R&D Lead of ClimateWatch TT, a youth-led initiative developing accessible flood-risk information for communities in Trinidad and Tobago, bringing a Caribbean, youth-led perspective to global climate and water discussions. Her work with ClimateWatch TT combines public-policy research with practical, community-facing tools, reflecting her broader interest in closing the gap between climate and water research and the people who need that information most. Through the Global Youth Water Envoys Program, Najha hopes to bring a small-island, Caribbean perspective to the 2026 UN Water Conference.