IGLYO Global Online Activist Academy 2025

Hi friends at Youth Voices Count!

After several successful online editions since 2020, our IGLYO Global Online Activist Academy will be back on 1-18 April 2025. As the deadline for applications is coming this Sunday 16 February at 23:59 CEST, we wanted to ask for your help with spreading the word across your network.

What’s on the Global Online Activist Academy?
Our Global Online Activist Academy is a 3-week skills-based training programme for young activists aged 18-30 years old at the beginning of their activist careers who are passionate about activism, LGBTQI rights, learning and collaborating with other LGBTQI activists from around the globe. It aims to strengthen the LGBTQI youth movement across the world by building skills and competencies, creating networks of support and exchange of practices, and increasing the resilience of young LGBTQI rights defenders.

What’s on the Programme?
This year’s focus is on project management for LGBTQI activism, equipping participants to design impactful, equitable, and sustainable initiatives. Over the course of three weeks, participants will take part in expert-led workshops and live sessions, as well as attempt one skill-based task to apply the skills they learned, while receiving feedback from the Activist Academy experts.

How to Apply?
Applicants can read the full call and apply by Sunday 16 February 2025 at 23:59 CET through this form. The Activist Academy is completely free of charge and we welcome applications from individuals from all over the world.

Who can Apply?
Any LGBTQI young person between 18 and 30 years old around the world. IGLYO particularly welcomes applications from underrepresented groups and communities such as young women, trans and non-binary youth, intersex youth, young people with disabilities, young people living with HIV, racialised youth, Black youth and young people of colour, and young refugees and migrants. In the context of the Global Online Activist Academy we particularly welcome applications from participants living in the Global South.

Will there be an in-person edition?
In July 2025, IGLYO will organise a one-week in-person Activist Academy, open only to participants residing in Council of Europe Member States, Russia, Belarus, or Kosovo. The aims and programme of the in-person Activist Academy will be similar to those of the online one. You can keep an eye on our newsletter if you are interested in this opportunity as well.

Questions & Contact
If you have any questions regarding the Academy, please email the IGLYO Programmes Team Viola (She/her) and Ali (They/them) at programmes@iglyo.org.

Thank you in advance for your help in spreading the word. I have attached to this email the visuals we prepared for social media and web.


If you have any amazing ideas or plans on engaging with us, drop us an email at secretariat@yvc-asiapacific.org 📩

Count your voice with us! 🏳️‍🌈

Related Topics

MUHAMMED ALI KHAN

ADVOCACY AND NETWORK ENGAGEMENT OFFICER

MALAYSIA

THEY/THEM

Mohammed (they/them) is a youth community organizer and facilitator based in Bangalore. With a professional background in molecular and cellular biology, they have conducted research on the rapid disease diagnosis of Dengue Virus in India. As a queer facilitator and co-founder of multiple safe spaces in their city, Mohammed actively advocates for marginalized communities. Their work on intersex rights has been featured in leading outlets such as The News Minute, Youth Ki Awaaz, Outlook India, The Deccan Herald, Feminism in India, and Gaysi. Their passion lies in research and with bridging gaps for biological education and human rights.

Their organizational affiliations include being the Co-founder of Intersex Human Rights India, the Community Founder and Facilitator of Polyglamorous Polys, a Senior Facilitator at Queer Campus Bangalore, and the Community Founder and Facilitator of Project RISE.

They are a recipient of the Pride Palooza Awards 2024 in the Advocacy of the Year category.

MARZE ANN GUTIERREZ

GRAPHIC ARTIST

Philippines

THEY/THEM

Marze graduated as Magna Cum Laude at West Visayas State University, majoring in English Language Studies and is currently taking up their Masters in English Language Studies at the same institution. They are also currently a part of Iloilo Pride Team’s Creatives team.

During their leisure time, they take their time reading books, listening to music, and sketching.

JOHNMEL ESTIMAR

FINANCE MANAGER

PHILIPPINES

THEY/THEM

Johnmel M. Estimar is the founder and senior adviser of La Villa Pride, a grassroots-level organization for LGBTQI in Villa, Iloilo. They are also a member of the Iloilo Pride team, a Community Based Screening motivator for HIV and an LGBTQI Rights Activist. Miles, as they like to be called, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University-Molo, Inc. They also hold an Associate Degree in Cruise Ship Management in the same University.

They have ample experience in clerk and accounting work for nine years from their previous employer, they are currently employed with Youth Voices Count as Finance Manager since 2019.

ANTHONY LOPEZ

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

PHILIPPINES

HE/HIM, THEY/THEM

Mx. Toni graduated with a bachelor’s degree of secondary education majoring in English at the Capiz State University back in 2021. Aside from this, they sought out other educational opportunities such as Advocacy and Project Management at the Women Deliver Digital University (2015), International Women’s Health and Human Rights at Stanford University (2014), and Global Health and Humanitarianism at the University of Manchester (2013).

An advocate of many causes, they are members of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative, and Y-PEER Pilipinas, founder of the Y-Cap for SRHR, founder of United Colours of CapSU, and Alumnus of Women Deliver Young Leaders Program. Back in 2018, they were awarded as the SDG 5 Youth Champion due to the amiable service they have rendered for gender equality.

CZAR REAL

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

PHILIPPINES

HE/HIM

Czar Real is a results-driven professional with business and organizational expertise, specializing in data analysis, research leadership, and strategic planning. Currently, he leads data-driven studies that provide actionable insights for decision-making across sectors.
 
His experience also spans teaching, freelance research consulting, and community outreach, particularly in HIV/AIDS advocacy, food waste reduction, and social justice. He is certified in Six Sigma Yellow Belt and Security Risk Management for NGO, with a strong commitment to driving impactful and meaningful change.
 
Currently pursuing Professional Masters in Data Science – Computing at the University of the Philippines, a graduate of double degree in Business Economics and Operations Management at the University of St. La Salle and has earned a diploma of International Entrepreneurship in Academy of Entrepreneurs – Australia.

JOHN MICHAEL OUANO

BOARD MEMBER

PHILIPPINES

HE/HIM

John Michael Ouano is the President of ALIVE SUPPORT GROUP and a Case Manager at an HIV Treatment Facility.
 
As part of the organization, he promotes safe spaces for domestic violence survivors, sexual assault survivors, and young people across all sectors. He also advocates for continuous education on HIV and AIDS awareness to help eradicate the stigma and discrimination surrounding it.

VINCE LIBAN

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

PHILIPPINES

HE/THEY

Vince Liban is a human rights and LGBTQI+ advocate, licensed Environmental Planner, and National Convener of Pride PH, leading one of Southeast Asia’s biggest Pride events.
 
Recognized as a Youth Champion for SDG 10, he advances equality, inclusive democracy, and youth empowerment through policy advocacy, urban planning, and grassroots organizing.
 

KAISER HO

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

MALAYSIA

THEY/THEM

Kaiser is a transmasculine/non-binary activist and decolonial queer-feminist facilitator in Southeast Asia who focuses on queering up systems and the politics of pleasure to bring about radical, transformative change. While holding an external law degree and certification in public policy analysis, their core competencies in analysing grassroot power structures is attributed to the 10+ years of community mobilisation in online communities. This understanding of complex internet dynamics informs their work as an educational module facilitator and advocacy advisor in Monsters Among Us [MAU], a youth-lead organisation championing child rights against harassment and abuse, bodily autonomy and comprehensive sexuality education.

They are actively involved in ASEAN-based leadership committees in the advancement of SOGIESC rights: designing programs to build up organisational technical infrastructure, presenting regional trends analysis in diplomatic summits, and facilitating knowledge sharing sessions about queer right to information in countries that suppress freedom of assembly and expression. They also worked with Kemban Kolektif in the Women Gaining Ground project [WGG]—a consortium lead by partners like CREA, Akili Dada, and IWRAW Asia Pacific [IWRAW-AP] in collaboration with 16 in-country strategic partners—to produce briefing papers that center anti-carceral approaches and restorative justice frameworks to prevent sexual and gender-based violence.

JAN GABRIEL

BOARD MEMBER / INTERIM CHAIRPERSON

PHILIPPINES

HE/THEY

Jan is the Engagement Executive of Mindcare Club and a consultant at We Thrive Wellbeing and Consultancy Services. He also a member of both teh Sports and Exercise Psychology SIG and LGBT Psychology Association of the Philippines.

He was previously part of the team of ASEAN SOGIE Caucus, a regional human rights organization focusing on the promotion and protection of the rights of LGBTQ+ people in Southeast Asia.

ADAMS PHAN

CORE WORKING GROUP

VIETNAM

HE/HIM

Adams Phan graduated from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Education majoring in Teaching English as a Foreign Language in 2017. During  his 4 years in the university as the Chairman of the Department’s Student Union, and the Vice President of the University’s Student Association, he took part in planning and implementing many social and cultural activities and events as well as having a former background in coordinating non-profit projects and organizing events. 

He was granted the “Bridging the Gaps Learning Institute” Scholarship by Aids Fonds in 2017, received a Certificate of Completion of the “MSMIT Regional Training of Trainers” Workshop, and was also awarded a Certificate for Outstanding Achievements in Social Activities by the Vietnamese National Students’ Association. Although graduating from HCMC University of Education, he shares that he has had an abiding passion for social activities and advocacy since his early twenties. 

He always longs to contribute his youth to help enhance and improve the rights and healthcare services for LGBTIQ+ communities nationally, regionally, and worldwide.

RUKSHANA KAPALI

CORE WORKING GROUP

NEPAL

SHE/HER

Rukshana is a transgender activist and blogger from Nepal who started sharing their personal experiences as a transgender person at the young age of 15. Currently taking up her bachelor of arts in Legislative Law at the Chakrabarti Habi Education Academy–College of Law, Rukshana shares an interest in intersections of language, SOGIESC and law wherein she works around policy changing through legal activism. As of present, she is the Executive Director of Queer Youth Group since October 2020 which is a youth-led network working for the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) rights in Nepal. A devoted advocate for SOGIESC, Rukshana holds officerships in multiple organizations such as Vice President at the Gender and Sexual Minorities Youth Network of National Youth Council, Organizing Committee at the Nepal Pride Parade, Chief Secretary at the LOOM Nepal, Individual Member at Amnesty International Nepal, Focal Person from Nepal at Youth LEAD,, and Board Member of the South Asia Hub, Innovation For Change. She is recognized as a speaker at the opening panel in Women’s Pre-Conference and contributor in the Women’s Manifesto during the ILGA Asia Conference in 2022.

Due to her outstanding contributions to her advocacies, she received the National Volunteering Award by the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Government of Nepal in 2020, and Youth Change Maker Award by the United Nations Youth Student Association Nepal in 2018.

FILA MAGNUS

CORE WORKING GROUP

MALAYSIA

HE/SHE

Fila Magnus graduated as cum laude at Upper Iowa University majoring Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Communications. She served as the Director of Communications for the International Youth Alliance for Family Planning (IYAFP) for over 6 years and is currently working at Mental Fitness Hub. 

Fila is a member of the For Youth Initiative Kuala Lumpur (FYIKL) and shares that she is committed to ensuring that youth from all walks of life are granted access to knowledge and resources that they require in order to be able to make informed decisions and choices in regards to their autonomy and sexuality. If she’s not advocating for SRHR, refugees, or politics in general, you’ll find her in some part of the globe in search of the faith in humanity that she’s lost along her way.

MARION REA CAMEROS

ACCOUNTING ASSOCIATE

PHILIPPINES

SHE/HER

Marion graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Accounting Technology which has made her suitable for being the Accounting Associate of Youth Voices Count. She lists watching movies as one of her hobbies that helps her wind down during her leisure time.

LOUELA MARIE PRADO

ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER

PHILIPPINES

HE/SHE/THEY

An advocate at heart, Louela is a part of several youth-led organizations in the Philippines with various advocacies ranging from climate justice, environmental protection, gender equality, human rights, SRHR, mental health prioritization, youth empowerment and HIV/AIDS awareness. She is currently the Interim Chairperson of Iloilo Pride Team after serving the organization for 4 years as the Admin Officer, Executive Secretary at Proyekto Philippines, Member of Team Dugong Bughaw, and more.

She graduated as Summa Cum Laude at West Visayas State University majoring in English Language Studies and is currently taking up her Masters in English Language Studies at the same institution. During her stay at the university, she served as the Vice Chairperson at the University Student Council and Federated Student Council where she organized programs and initiatives that advocated for student involvement in societal causes and being the voice of the students that lobbies their concerns to the administration.

In July 2022, she was awarded by JCI Regatta as one of the Top Outstanding Students in Iloilo and a Top Circle Awardee which is the most prestigious recognition given by the award-giving body.

TASHI TSHETEN

CORE WORKING GROUP

BHUTAN

HE/THEY

Tashi is the South Asian representative in the Core Working Group. He is affiliated with the Queer Voices of Bhutan.

RIZKY ASHAR

CORE WORKING GROUP

INDONESIA

HE/HIM

Rizky “Ekky” Ashar Murdiono is a graduate student of Computer Science and Information Technology with extensive knowledge in social issues, media, and content development. Back in 2016, he studied a non-degree in Advancing Human Rights at Kennesaw State University.

He is a Co-Founder of the 2030 Youth Force Network and has practical experience in the United Nations in digital communication. He was also a U-Report Learning Consultant for UNICEF Indonesia from 2021 to 2022, and has been featured on TIME Magazine in their article entitled “Eight Young Leaders on How They Want to Shape the Decade Ahead”. He was also awarded the N-Peace Award in 2016.

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