Yusra Mardini

Yusra Mardini is a Syrian refugee who gained international recognition for her courageous journey across the Aegean Sea in 2015, swimming to save her fellow passengers when their boat began to sink. She is also a competitive swimmer who competed in the 2016 Rio Olympics as part of the Refugee Olympic Team. Currently, Mardini serves as a Global Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). She is newsworthy as she recently contributed to discussions marking the 75th anniversary of the Refugee Convention, emphasizing the importance of protection and the opportunity for refugees to rebuild their lives. Her current relevance lies in her powerful advocacy for the rights and dignity of displaced people worldwide, drawing from her personal experiences to highlight the critical need for international protection and support for refugees.