The 2025 Viktor Frankl awardees have, for yet another year, showcased an impressive list of contributions to their WYA chapters across the globe.
WYA Africa Awardee: Pierrette Sukisa-Makasi (South Africa)
Becoming involved with WYA at the early age of 13, Pierrette Sukisa-Makasi has been a vital influence for WYA in her home country of South Africa, serving as Chapter Coordinator. In addition to being a critical component of her WYA chapter, Pierrette is also the driving force behind the Freedom Day Campaign, contributing to international human rights events in neighboring countries. Over the years, she has completed WYA projects both at home and abroad, including gathering members to attend the annual South African Youth Day Hike held each year in June. She also served as the Head Delegate of Africa at the 19th To Pierrette, making the decision to stand up for truth is incredibly empowering, as she explains that it is an active choice to make decisions which will have positive impacts on others. Hosting an introduction to WYA to seven local schools with over 90 highschoolers in attendance, Pierrette has been an aspiring international relations and public health student, and she shows no sign of stopping.
WYA Asia Pacific Awardee: John Santeo Tamayo (The Philippines)
Member John Santeo Tamayo has been a WYA member since 2012 and has made significant contributions in Filippino advocacy and policy. As Asia Pacific Project Management Fellow, John juggles a range of impressive involvements, from serving as Philippines National Committee’s Friendships & External Affairs Head since 2018 to being the former Junior Philippine Economics Society President to now being an educator at Enderun Colleges. Since the 12th WYA AP Regional Summer Camp, John’s involvement with WYA is extensive, as he has worn many hats such as intern, facilitator, and legislative deliberator, believing in a person-centered approach to advocacy. In responding to the Viktor Frankl Award, John says that “behind every statistic lies the human story and every story deserves justice.” John is currently in law school at the University of the Philippines where he continues to champion for justice and human rights.
WYA Europe Awardee: Florio Scifo (Italy)
WYA Europe Delegate Florio Scifo has served as the Founder and National Coordinator of WYA Italy since 2020. Florio holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Classical and Christian Literature from the Salesian Pontifical University in Rome, where he learned a variety of ancient languages including Latin and Greek. Since becoming a member in 2019 at a WYA Europe event, Florio has received certification as a Chapter Trainer, inspiring and encouraging members with his intellectual curiosity throughout Italy to establish their own, local WYA chapters. He continues to be an active member of WYA. After receiving the Viktor Frankl Award, Florio seeks to bring educational content from WYA’s 2025 ISF to Italy’s many WYA chapters and to instigate the use of the Human Dignity Curriculum. He believes that even though human rights issues today may appear complicated, that there are fundamental principles and truths which have the capacity to change perspectives.
WYA Latin America Awardee: Sofía Sierra Luna (Mexico)
National President of WYA Mexico, Sofía Sierra Luna, is the first head of social media in her home country, where she first became involved with WYA during the Covid pandemic. Inspired to make an impact on youth in Mexico, Sofía has received a variety of skills from the Certified Training Program and Advocacy Academy, where she learned how to influence students across Mexico through the use of social media. Now, as National President, Sofía has recruited countless new members, released collaborative projects, attended national and international events and created new partners. Sofía is currently a Human and Family Development student, where she continues to champion for the WYA mission. She believes that young people are the presence and future of the world, bringing hope to society and building solidarity.
WYA Middle East and North Africa Awardee: Mohamad Radwan Al Omar (Lebanon)
Head of Membership of WYA Lebanon, Mohamad Radwan Al Omar is an active lawyer, public speaker, and international peace and development spokesman. Participating on the WYA Committee, Radwan has made major contributions to the WYA mission in Lebanon. Through the Certified Training Program and Advocacy Academy, Radwan has went on to hold positions as Head of Outreach and Fundraising and Head of Membership at both the LNC and High Level Political Forum, where he was involved in dispute resolution. He has also participated in the ELC MENA, and ELC Europe. In his Viktor Frankl Award speech, Radwan stated that, “despite all of this darkness, I was living with hope and there is light. WYA was an essential figure in this light.” Learning about the founding philosophies of economic and political freedom through the legacy of Viktor Frankl, Radwan continues supporting the WYA mission while currently living in Saudi Arabia as a human rights and youth activist leader, jurist, writer, and mediator.
WYA North America Awardee: Amanda Mercado (The United States)
First becoming involved with WYA in high school, Amanda Mercado is from the United States and has a long history of growing with her advocacy in human rights. Since becoming active in Model UN, Amanda continued to advocate for human dignity and became her university’s WYA club Co-Leader by the end of her first year in college. Amanda has participated in a range of international events as a WYA representative, such as the UN Commission on the Status of Women and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. Mentoring students from her high school in how to make a difference in their communities, she is ambitious to promote WYA’s mission and grows her mentorship experience as a product of WYA’s Certified Training Program. Amanda continues to be an advocate for human dignity and affirms that, “love is the only way to grab people in humanity.”
