I am a postgraduate student specialising in Russian and Eurasian Politics at University College London (UCL) School of Slavonic and East European Studies (SSEES). As a result of my academic background and research in area studies of Eastern Europe, Russia, and the South Caucasus, I became a Young European Ambassador (YEA), representing the United Kingdom, at EU Neighbours East. The YEA’s Initiative fosters communication and collaboration between youth from the EU, UK, and the Eastern Partnership Countries. My activism and youth work is motivated by my belief that active and inclusive participation is essential for a thriving democracy. I am committed to empowering young people and removing barriers to their political participation, especially for underrepresented nations and social minority groups. I believe that youth are not just the future, but the NOW, and I am confident that even in the face of various global threats to democracy, we will build a shared, inclusive, and cooperative future together.