Sareswari Selva (24, Medan, Indonesia) is the founder of Next Generation Digital Magazine that covers social issues in Indonesia. Recently, Sareswari launched Next Generation’s campaign, “Educate a Girl, Educate a Nation,” that provides free English classes and computer programming classes to girls in orphanages in Medan, helping 70 girls so far. Sareswari believes that education is the pathway to reducing poverty and inequality for women and girls and hopes that these courses provide economic opportunities moving forward.

Once individuals are trained in computer programming, Sareswari holds weekly training sessions with her peers and coworkers, using materials from Lean In that emphasize women’s empowerment in the workplace. Through this continuing education, Sareswari and her team produce Next Generation Digital Magazine and then distribute the magazine throughout Indoensian high schools.

Sareswari is partnering with the Indonesian government, private entities, and nonprofits such as UNICEF Indonesia to create more awareness of educational barriers for girls in Indonesia. In addition to educational advocacy, Sareswari is raising awareness around harmful female genital mutilation (FGM) practices in Indonesia. Internationally, Sareswari is working with UNICEF USA, UNICEF Australia, and former Miss Canada, Casar Jacobson, to provide more opportunities for children with special needs.