A distinguished volunteer: Ilana Lamas von Sohsten suggested by ESAI EN ROI for GLOBAL YOUTH AWARDS 2025
- Esai En Roi
- Aug 9
- 5 min read
Sub-Action: International Symposium
Main Action: Campaign: Green Velocity; Crash the Habit: Future is Forward
Project: The Footprints of the Timethread
Activity: Maximize Arts and Creativity Skills
Funded by: European Union [European Solidarity Corps]
Within just two weeks, Ilana faced the extraordinary challenge of creating an international symposium together with a team of young people who had only just met. With determination, clarity, and vision, she successfully distributed roles, coordinated every aspect of the preparation, and inspired her teammates to fully engage in their mission. The result was nothing short of remarkable: on 25 July 2025, the symposium came to life, surpassing expectations in both scope and quality. Despite the fact that many smaller and simpler projects often encounter delays or obstacles, this highly complex and ambitious event was executed flawlessly. Securing a diverse and distinguished lineup of speakers from around the globe — something that initially seemed nearly impossible — became a reality under her leadership. Even more impressively, Ilana managed all this while closing her own milestone birthday in 2025 (being born in the middle of the "changing millenium" year, 2000), turning her 25th year into a testament of what vision, teamwork, and perseverance can achieve.
@globalyouthawards_rtg
her special skills
1. Leadership & Vision
Strategic role allocation: She quickly assessed the team’s strengths and assigned responsibilities to maximise efficiency.
Clarity of purpose: She kept the team focused on the final goal despite the
short timeframe.
Inspiration: She didn’t just manage — she motivated, transforming a group of strangers into a unified force.
Hidden skill: Transformational leadership — the ability to influence and inspire people toward a common goal under high-pressure conditions.
2. Project Management Excellence
Two-week turnaround: Orchestrating a full international symposium in such a short period required precise scheduling, continuous progress tracking, and fast decision-making.
Complex logistics handling: Coordinating venue, speaker outreach, invitations, media, and technical arrangements without compromising quality.
Hidden skill: Exceptional organisational and time management skills, combined with an ability to operate effectively in high-stakes, deadline-driven environments.
3. Networking & International Outreach
Global speaker recruitment: Securing diverse, high-profile guests from different parts of the world in such limited time shows resourcefulness and strong intercultural communication.
Relationship building: She established trust and commitment from people she had never worked with before.
Hidden skill: Cross-cultural competence — navigating diverse cultural contexts with diplomacy and mutual respect.
4. Crisis Resilience & Adaptability
Rapid adaptation: Working with a team that had “just met” meant handling uncertainty and different working styles with flexibility.
Problem-solving under pressure: Overcoming the “impossible” perception and turning it into a successful reality.
Hidden skill: Emotional intelligence — reading situations and people accurately, staying calm under pressure, and finding constructive solutions fast.
5. Communication & Public Engagement
Internal communication: Ensuring that everyone on the team was aligned and informed.
External communication: Crafting invitations, promoting the event, and delivering the symposium in a way that engaged both speakers and participants.
Hidden skill: Persuasive and empathetic communication — able to connect with audiences, stakeholders, and collaborators alike.
6. Personal Drive & Inspirational Value
Milestone timing: Closing her own 25th birthday in the midst of intense preparations — turning a personal milestone into a professional triumph.
Role model effect: Demonstrating to peers that age or time constraints are not barriers to achieving ambitious goals.
Hidden skill: Self-motivation with a contagious effect on others — the hallmark of youth leaders who inspire beyond their immediate circle.
Why This Merits International Nomination
Ilana’s achievement isn’t just about running an event; it’s about uniting diverse people, overcoming logistical and cultural challenges, and delivering excellence under extreme constraints. These are the same competencies valued by global leadership programs, youth awards, and networks seeking changemakers.Her profile ticks all the boxes:
✅ Proven leadership in a multicultural context
✅ Demonstrated impact under pressure
✅ Creation of lasting international connections
✅ Clear contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly on quality education, partnerships, and sustainable cities/communities
Yet Ilana’s greatness goes far beyond her organisational mastery. She is admired for gentle character — always positive, encouraging, and gracious, even when facing difficulties or the negative consequences of others’ actions. She sees the best in people, reassuring and motivating everyone — including her supervisor — that all is on track. Her gentle yet sharp wit allows her to convey important messages with elegance.
She is kind, intelligent, optimistic, humble, stylish, beautiful inside and out, and radiates warmth and goodwill.
She was one of the few who, even as a volunteer, showed unwavering commitment. Because, as she proves, those that can do more, volunteer. Ilana’s leadership, character, and impact make her a truly outstanding candidate for international recognition as an Exceptional Youth.
Ilana’s leadership unites people across cultures, turning challenges into opportunities. She embodies the spirit of youth empowerment, making her an outstanding candidate for international recognition as an Exceptional Youth Leader.
Summarizing...
Nomination Statement for Ilana – Exceptional Youth Leadership Award
In July 2025, Ilana transformed what seemed impossible into a landmark success. Within just two weeks — and alongside a team of young people who had only just met — she took on the extraordinary challenge of creating an international symposium. With vision, precision, and empathy, she distributed roles strategically, coordinated multiple work streams, and inspired her peers to work with full commitment toward a shared mission.
On 25 July 2025, the symposium unfolded in Thessaloniki as a dynamic, high-impact event featuring distinguished speakers from across the globe, interactive presentations, and audience-engaging activities. What makes this achievement exceptional is not only the quality of the outcome, but the sheer complexity of making it happen in such a short time. Many smaller, less demanding projects struggle to meet deadlines — yet Ilana delivered a multinational, multicultural gathering that exceeded expectations.
Her success reflects a rare and powerful skill set:
Transformational leadership — turning a group of strangers into a high-performing, motivated team.
Advanced project management — orchestrating logistics, communications, and event flow under intense time pressure.
Cross-cultural diplomacy — building trust and engagement with international speakers and partners in record time.
Emotional intelligence — navigating challenges with calm adaptability and motivating others through empathy.
Inspirational role modelling — celebrating her own 25th birthday in the midst of preparations, turning a personal milestone into a symbol of youth leadership in action.
Ilana’s achievement directly supports the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in fostering global partnerships (SDG 17), promoting quality education and cultural exchange (SDG 4), and advancing sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11). Her ability to unite diverse voices, mobilise resources, and deliver meaningful dialogue on sustainable transportation and social responsibility demonstrates the calibre of leadership that shapes the future.
For her extraordinary ability to envision, mobilise, and achieve under the most challenging conditions, Ilana is nominated as an Exceptional Youth Leader whose impact extends far beyond her community, inspiring young people and decision-makers across borders.
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