A Research Scientist by profession and holds Graduate Certificates in Public Health from the Medical College of Wisconsin and in International Development from the University of British Columbia Canada. Joannes currently serves on the Youth Advisory Group for the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, which strives to support the Commission’s activities. As a Global Youth Ambassador for a World at School, Joannes has spent most of his youthful life advocating for access to quality education and working with children living with disabilities and communities orphaned by HIV/AIDS. My work on gender equality was featured as one of UN Women’s first IMPACT stories of the HeForShe Campaign

Joannes’ work has been recognized globally and include; the 2015 Queens’ Young Leaders Award and the 2014 Youth Courage Award by Gordon Brown which recognizes and honors youth who have personally demonstrated courage and leadership and acted as agents of change for universal education. He was named to the Emma Watson Tribe, a Young Leader by Women Deliver and a recipient of the African Youth Excellence Award for Public Service. Joannes have spoken at several conferences including the UN where he continues to advocate for the rights of children while calling on the attention of world leaders to keep to the commitments and promises they have made in putting every child in school and learning and the promotion of global peace and security