WUF13 Through the Eyes of a Young Gamechanger: From Jatni to Baku
June 2026, Jatni A first flight, a first global stage, and a journey from Jatni to Baku. At WUF13, a Young Gamechanger shared local experiences, connected with urban leaders from around the world, and discovered how youth voices can help shape healthier, more inclusive, and sustainable cities.
My first flight
On 17 May, I boarded an airplane for the first time in my life.
As my parents dropped me off at the airport in India, I felt excited, nervous, and proud all at the same time. I was traveling from Jatni, a growing intermediary city in Odisha, to Baku, Azerbaijan, to attend the World Urban Forum 13 (WUF13) as a Young Gamechanger.
Just a few years ago, I could never have imagined that I would travel across the world to speak about my city, my community, and the work young people are doing to create healthier and more inclusive places to live.
My first day at WUF13
My first day at WUF13 was unforgettable. Walking into the Baku Olympic Stadium, I immediately realized the scale of the event. I explored the Urban Expo, visited the India Pavilion, wandered through the Souk, and stopped by the Urban Cinema. Everywhere I looked, there were ideas, innovations, and stories from cities around the world.
I learned about housing, climate action, public space, health, and urban development. What inspired me most was seeing how people from different countries were working toward the same goal: creating better cities and communities for everyone.
One of my first speaking engagements was the session Youth Leadership for Safe and Resilient Cities, organized by Safetipin, Fondation Botnar, UN-Habitat, and Fundación Despacio. Speaking alongside experts and practitioners from around the world was both exciting and empowering.
Exploring Baku
The following day, I explored Baku itself. I visited the beautiful Heydar Aliyev Center and experienced a culture that was completely new to me. As I walked through the city, I reflected on how different cities can look and feel, yet still face many of the same challenges related to housing, public space, mobility, health, and inclusion.
A day to remember
The busiest day of my journey was 21 May.
One of the most meaningful moments of the Forum was meeting people I had only known through online meetings and stories. I met Christelle Lahoud, Global Coordinator of the Young Gamechangers Initiative at UN-Habitat, and Susanna Hausmann from Fondation Botnar, whose support helps create opportunities like this for young people around the world.
I also had the chance to meet representatives from Bargny, Senegal, another Young Gamechangers city. Although we come from different countries and contexts, we shared many of the same hopes for our communities and many of the same challenges.
The highlight of my WUF13 experience was speaking at several sessions throughout the Forum, including:
- Healthy and Caring Cities
- Participatory Approaches for Co-Designing Urban Projects at the India Pavilion
- Strengthening Health Outcomes Through Sustainable Housing Policies
During these discussions, I shared experiences from Jatni and the work we have been doing through the Young Gamechangers Initiative. I spoke about youth-led health awareness campaigns, tobacco-free zones, public space improvements, and community engagement activities that help young people contribute to local decision-making.
One message I shared throughout the week was simple:
Young people have ideas, energy, and solutions. What we need are opportunities to participate and be heard.
During a session on healthy and caring cities, I spoke about how youth in Jatni conducted surveys, engaged with residents, and identified issues affecting health and wellbeing in our community. We learned that health is not only about hospitals and healthcare. It is also shaped by public spaces, housing, mobility, safety, clean environments, and community participation.
Another discussion focused on housing and health. I learned that housing is much more than having a roof over our heads. Housing affects education, safety, dignity, mental wellbeing, access to opportunities, and overall quality of life. These conversations helped me understand how closely connected housing, health, and urban development really are.
What inspired me most throughout WUF13 was seeing mayors, urban planners, community leaders, development organizations, and young people working together toward a shared vision of cities where everyone can thrive.
As I sat on global stages representing Jatni, I realized that our local experiences matter. The challenges we face in our communities are part of larger global conversations, and the solutions we develop locally can inspire change far beyond our own cities.
Time to reflect
As I continue reflecting on this experience, I find myself revisiting some of the sessions and recordings from WUF13—not to relive the moment, but to learn from it. Every conversation, every panel, and every speaking opportunity taught me something new. Looking back helps me see what I did well, where I can improve, and how I can become a stronger advocate for my community in the future.
Because this journey was never just about attending a global forum. It was about growing, learning, and preparing for the next opportunity to make a difference.
I returned home with new ideas, new friendships, and a stronger belief that meaningful change happens when young people are given a seat at the table.
From Jatni to Baku, this journey showed me that no city is too small to make a difference.
Written by Deepshikha Ray
