Meet our 2023 International Education Summit Keynote Speaker: Noel Ifeanyi Alumona

The World Affairs Council of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky is delighted to introduce you to our Keynote Speaker for the 17th Annual International Education Summit (IES), Noel Ifeanyi Alumona. This year’s IES will focus on empowering students to create change through the UN Global Goals within our glocal communities. We are excited to announce we will be adding in a new career and education component. Through his Keynote, workshop, and participation during the day, Noel will share his story and provide students with inspiration under the topic of  Changing the World Together As Young People.

Noel Ifeanyi Alumona is an internationally recognized young leader driving systems change in education, gender equality, child welfare, working across youth development, education of children with disabilities, and state and federal policy to improve outcomes for youth and families. He has a proven track record of mobilizing cross-sector partnerships and lived-expertise to drive effective innovation at the local, state, and federal levels to solve both entrenched and emergent challenges. He enjoys building new systems, innovations and solutions from ground up.

As an accomplished international social development expert, Noel holds a Master’s in Education with a focus on special education, trauma and disabilities, as well as expertise in teaching DEIA and trauma programming. His decade-long career in the nonprofit sector has equipped him with extensive program management experience, expertise in peacebuilding, social justice, youth development, and gender equity. His interests include promoting trauma-informed communities and ending gender-based violence, with a commitment to achieving equity for all. Noel is dedicated to providing necessary support and resources to enable young men become part of the process of ending gender-based violence globally.

Noel’s efforts have been recognized both nationally and internationally. He recently received the G20 Young Global Changers Award in Berlin Germany. He also recently received the United Nations Women HeForShe Ambassador Award. He is an Obama Foundation Fellow, President Clinton Foundation Fellow, United States Institute of Peace Generation Change Fellow, and a AFS Youth Assembly Delegate. He is also the first African and Nigerian to win the AFS Award for Young Global Citizens in New York City.

To increase access to resources, funding and mentorship opportunities for entrepreneurs, social impact and young leaders, Noel started the Shaping the Future Project which engages, empowers and connect more than 2,000 young people every year. This project provides a platform for young people to connect with experts, mentors, and resources in these areas, empowering them to use innovation and entrepreneurship to solve the world’s biggest problems.

Noel is currently pursuing his graduate studies in Special Education at Vanderbilt University in the United States. With over five years of practical classroom teaching experience, research, and monitoring and evaluation of pupil outcomes, he is well-versed in improving access to quality education in underserved communities.

In all his endeavors, Noel remains committed to creating lasting change in Nigeria and beyond. His visionary leadership, dedication to social justice, and tireless work ethic have positioned him as one of the most influential young leaders in Africa.

To learn more about him and his works, kindly visit www.noelalumona.com