External Representatives
Representing an array of nations and educational backgrounds, these chosen individuals serve a pivotal role in international dialogues, ensuring that the student community’s insights, needs, and aspirations are not only heard but actively incorporated.
Mutesi Hadijah
Education Cannot Wait:
High-Level Steering Group
Mutesi Hadijah is a Ugandan youth and student activist who strongly believes in the power of education to change lives and has worked extensively to protect and deliver the right to education for girls, women and refugees. Working with the Global Students Forum through her role as Vice President of the Uganda National Students Association, she has worked with the media and government agencies to advocate for girls and refugee education at a national, regional and global level.
Mutesi has tirelessly shed light on the lack of support for refugee education and the importance of assimilation efforts in Uganda, which hosts the largest refugee population in Africa. Her work on refugee rights, which included a series of national news stories, has not only resulted in increased awareness in public discourse but prompted action from Ugandan decision-makers. Mutesi is also an active member of the Gender Advocacy Working Group at the All-Africa Students Union and has personally engaged school authorities in Uganda to prevent child marriage.
Mutesi Hadijah
Education Cannot Wait:
High-Level Steering Group
Mutesi Hadijah is a Ugandan youth and student activist who strongly believes in the power of education to change lives and has worked extensively to protect and deliver the right to education for girls, women and refugees. Working with the Global Students Forum through her role as Vice President of the Uganda National Students Association, she has worked with the media and government agencies to advocate for girls and refugee education at a national, regional and global level.
Mutesi has tirelessly shed light on the lack of support for refugee education and the importance of assimilation efforts in Uganda, which hosts the largest refugee population in Africa. Her work on refugee rights, which included a series of national news stories, has not only resulted in increased awareness in public discourse but prompted action from Ugandan decision-makers. Mutesi is also an active member of the Gender Advocacy Working Group at the All-Africa Students Union and has personally engaged school authorities in Uganda to prevent child marriage.
Peter Kwasi KODJIE
Magna Charta Observatory: Governing Council
Currently serving as the Secretary-General of the All-Africa Students Union (AASU), Peter Kwasi Kodjie represents African students on education policy issues on intergovernmental bodies and programmes. Peter has been an influential voice in the Tuning Africa Project Advisory Group (TAPAG) Phase II, actively advocating for the restructuring of higher education ecosystems to enhance the mobility of students and academics in Africa and around the world. Peter’s commitment to fighting for access, equity and quality education extends to his advisory roles in the Harmonization of African Higher Education Quality Assurance and Accreditation (HAQAA3) Initiative and the Africa Continental Qualifications Framework (ACQF2) – spearheaded by the African Union and European Union to harmonize Africa’s higher education systems.
Peter is a founding Trustee of the 100 Million Campaign (founded by the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Kailash Satyarthi). Peter is also a founding member of the Global Student Forum (GSF) and serves on the Governing Council of the Magna Charta Observatory (MCO) as the global student representative. As a champion for climate justice, Peter chairs the board of the Students Organising for Sustainability International. Through his tireless efforts and notable achievements, Peter stands as an inspirational figure and advocate for the rights and welfare of students, not only in Africa but across the globe. Peter has a strong passion for leadership, youth empowerment, human rights and climate justice.
Peter Kwasi KODJIE
Magna Charta Observatory Governing Council
Currently serving as the Secretary-General of the All-Africa Students Union (AASU), Peter Kwasi Kodjie represents African students on education policy issues on intergovernmental bodies and programmes. Peter has been an influential voice in the Tuning Africa Project Advisory Group (TAPAG) Phase II, actively advocating for the restructuring of higher education ecosystems to enhance the mobility of students and academics in Africa and around the world. Peter’s commitment to fighting for access, equity and quality education extends to his advisory roles in the Harmonization of African Higher Education Quality Assurance and Accreditation (HAQAA3) Initiative and the Africa Continental Qualifications Framework (ACQF2) – spearheaded by the African Union and European Union to harmonize Africa’s higher education systems.
Peter is a founding Trustee of the 100 Million Campaign (founded by the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Kailash Satyarthi). Peter is also a founding member of the Global Student Forum (GSF) and serves on the Governing Council of the Magna Charta Observatory (MCO) as the global student representative. As a champion for climate justice, Peter chairs the board of the Students Organising for Sustainability International. Through his tireless efforts and notable achievements, Peter stands as an inspirational figure and advocate for the rights and welfare of students, not only in Africa but across the globe. Peter has a strong passion for leadership, youth empowerment, human rights and climate justice.
Hector Ulloa
Education Cannot Wait: Executive Committee
Hector Ulloa is originally from Honduras and has a background in student leadership and human rights. His activism in the education field led him to becoming the first foreign president of the Norwegian Students’ and Academics’ International Assistance Fund (SAIH) (2021-2023) and a Steering Committee Member at the Global Student Forum (2022-2023)
He studied law, was deputy leader of the National Law Students’ Association and spokesman for the Honduran student movement. In Norway he completed a Master’s degree in Public Administration at the University of Bergen. He works closely with the Democracy, Human Rights and Solidarity Cluster in the GSF and advises on initiatives related to financing of education. Outside of his engagement with GSF, he works as Policy Advisor at Skatteforsk – Centre for Tax Research, and serves as board member of Debt Justice Norway (SLUG).
Hector Ulloa
Education Cannot Wait:
Executive Committee
Hector Ulloa is originally from Honduras and has a background in student leadership and human rights. His activism in the education field led him to becoming the first foreign president of the Norwegian Students’ and Academics’ International Assistance Fund (SAIH) (2021-2023) and a Steering Committee Member at the Global Student Forum (2022-2023)
He studied law, was deputy leader of the National Law Students’ Association and spokesman for the Honduran student movement. In Norway he completed a Master’s degree in Public Administration at the University of Bergen. He works closely with the Democracy, Human Rights and Solidarity Cluster in the GSF and advises on initiatives related to financing of education. Outside of his engagement with GSF, he works as Policy Advisor at Skatteforsk – Centre for Tax Research, and serves as board member of Debt Justice Norway (SLUG).
Ester Simon
Global Campaign for Education: Executive Board
Ester Simon is a dedicated advocate for education, girl child and women empowerment, public policy, and social justice. As a Board Member of the Global Campaign for Education, she represents youth and students, emphasizing her global commitment to education. Ms. Simon serves as the Secretary General for the Southern African Students Union, and advocates for student interests in all 16 member states within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Ms. Simon is the President of the Pan African Female Youth Leaders, where she empowers and advances the rights of young African women.
Her historic role as the 17th and first female President of the Namibian National Students Organization highlights her leadership and advocacy for student rights. She contributes to the shaping of policies and constitutions as a member of the All-African Students Union Constitutional Review Committee. As the founder of Joyrise Private Academy, she plays a pivotal role in education and community development. Serving as a Presidential Advisor on the High-Level Panel on the Namibian Economy, she offers strategic solutions to the Namibian Head of State on how to boost the Namibian economy. Her activism for access to education showcases her commitment to equitable and inclusive educational opportunities.
Her impressive educational background includes degrees in English, Literature, and Communication, ongoing studies in Law and Leadership and Change Management, and an Honorary Doctorate Degree. Her recognition and awards, such as being named one of the “100 Most Influential Young Africans” in 2018 and the AASU’s Citation of Honor Award highlights her significant contributions to student leadership and advocacy. Ester Simon’s dedication to strengthening global solidarity and peace underlines her broader vision of promoting harmony and cooperation on an international scale.
In summary, Ester Simon’s multifaceted contributions and achievements make her an influential figure in education and student advocacy, impacting both national, regional and global levels.
Ester Simon
Global Campaign for Education:
Executive Board
Ester Simon is a dedicated advocate for education, girl child and women empowerment, public policy, and social justice. As a Board Member of the Global Campaign for Education, she represents youth and students, emphasizing her global commitment to education. Ms. Simon serves as the Secretary General for the Southern African Students Union, and advocates for student interests in all 16 member states within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Ms. Simon is the President of the Pan African Female Youth Leaders, where she empowers and advances the rights of young African women.
Her historic role as the 17th and first female President of the Namibian National Students Organization highlights her leadership and advocacy for student rights. She contributes to the shaping of policies and constitutions as a member of the All-African Students Union Constitutional Review Committee. As the founder of Joyrise Private Academy, she plays a pivotal role in education and community development. Serving as a Presidential Advisor on the High-Level Panel on the Namibian Economy, she offers strategic solutions to the Namibian Head of State on how to boost the Namibian economy. Her activism for access to education showcases her commitment to equitable and inclusive educational opportunities.
Her impressive educational background includes degrees in English, Literature, and Communication, ongoing studies in Law and Leadership and Change Management, and an Honorary Doctorate Degree. Her recognition and awards, such as being named one of the “100 Most Influential Young Africans” in 2018 and the AASU’s Citation of Honor Award highlights her significant contributions to student leadership and advocacy. Ester Simon’s dedication to strengthening global solidarity and peace underlines her broader vision of promoting harmony and cooperation on an international scale.
In summary, Ester Simon’s multifaceted contributions and achievements make her an influential figure in education and student advocacy, impacting both national, regional and global levels.
Ellen Dixon
Global Education Monitoring Report:
Advisory Board
Ellen Dixon is a former Steering Committee Member for the Global Student Forum (2021-2022; 2022-2023). She is also the National President of the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations. Ellen has represented on the two highest quality bodies for universities in New Zealand as appointed by the New Zealand Vice Chancellors’ Committee, and has represented on two Ministerial panels for the New Zealand Ministry of Education and the Tertiary Education Commission.
She has been the Project Lead for the SDG Student Program at the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network – Youth, and was the interim representative on the High Level Steering Committee Sherpa Group for the UNESCO SDG4Youth Network. Ellen is a Wellington Doctoral Scholar and a Massey Scholar, holding a first-class Bachelor of Arts in Sociolinguistics from Massey University, a first-class Masters of International Relations & Diplomacy from the University of Canterbury, and is pursuing a PhD in Critical Theory from The European Graduate School.
Ellen Dixon
Global Education Monitoring Report:
Advisory Board
Ellen Dixon is a former Steering Committee Member for the Global Student Forum (2021-2022; 2022-2023). She is also the National President of the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations. Ellen has represented on the two highest quality bodies for universities in New Zealand as appointed by the New Zealand Vice Chancellors’ Committee, and has represented on two Ministerial panels for the New Zealand Ministry of Education and the Tertiary Education Commission.
She has been the Project Lead for the SDG Student Program at the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network – Youth, and was the interim representative on the High Level Steering Committee Sherpa Group for the UNESCO SDG4Youth Network. Ellen is a Wellington Doctoral Scholar and a Massey Scholar, holding a first-class Bachelor of Arts in Sociolinguistics from Massey University, a first-class Masters of International Relations & Diplomacy from the University of Canterbury, and is pursuing a PhD in Critical Theory from The European Graduate School.