Hajar Yagkoubi isn’t just talking about change—she’s been in rooms where it actually happens. From her time as the UN Youth Delegate for the Netherlands to sitting on executive boards, she’s been right at the intersection of big business and bold, youth-driven ideas. A passionate public speaker, she’s all about sustainability and making sure Gen Z has a real say in the decisions shaping our future. If anyone knows how to connect young voices with global power players, it’s Hajar.
Hajar Yagkoubi is not just a voice for the youth; she’s a force of nature who bridges the gap between global leaders, the business realm, and the younger generation. She is passionate about enhancing youth participation on international platforms.
Her roles have varied from representing young voices at the United Nations to advising on the societal impacts of COVID-19. Hajar is also recognised as a next-generation keynote speaker, inspiring audiences to take action on youth engagement and intergenerational collaboration.
Hajar served a two-year term as UN Youth Representative for the Netherlands and was responsible for gathering and presenting youth feedback on topics such as human rights, security, and the climate crisis. This wasn’t limited to the UN. She had conversations with many global leaders and participated in events like the High-Level Political Forum and the Climate Action Summit to ensure youth voices were heard on the international stage.
The future of business is in the hands of the youth, and Hajar knows this. With the co-founding of Network 2100, she advocates for youth voices in the corporate boardroom. Her message? Companies need to speak to Gen Z’s values, especially when it comes to sustainability and economic cooperation. Together with her colleague Jahkini Bisselink (also a former UN Youth Representative), they have created a joint keynote, “Gen Z: How We Choose, Why We Choose and Why Should You Care”, where they take you through the life compass of Gen Z.
Further to her advocacy, Hajar is also an academic. She is currently studying international business at Tilburg University. This academic background gives her a deep understanding of the changes businesses need to make, especially when it comes to ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria and how to embody sustainability in corporate strategy….
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