Jorge and Niko Papadatos

Jorge Papadatos (16) and Niko Papadatos (16), from Venezuela, saw how the country’s struggling education system was limiting children’s opportunities. At 13, they founded AVEDO, Venezuela’s largest speech and debate organisation, giving young people tools to express themselves and take part in public life.

Through AMUN, they hosted the largest Model United Nations conference in the Caribbean, bringing together more than 700 participants. They offered over 150 scholarships to underprivileged students from more than four sectors across the country, alongside free mentoring and talks at more than 10 public schools.

Jorge and Niko have also worked with the state Secretary of Education to expand debate activities to public and private schools. Alongside the Legislative Council of Carabobo, they have held talks with congressmen and congresswomen to develop and promote educational reform laws.

Their latest Bill proposes a statewide plan for every public school in Carabobo to establish a debate or oratory chapter, giving every public high school student access to debate training from university volunteers.