Max Genin

Max Genin is a Ukro-Canadian-Israeli development scholar, international lawyer, and human rights leader. He is pursuing an ALM in Global Development Practice at the Harvard Extension School at Harvard University, where he chairs the North American Student Council for the UN SDSN’s Global MDP Association, connecting students across 35 universities in 23 countries. He recently led a 15-country climate action challenge with the World Bank and SDSN, now extended for seed funding and field implementation. As a Youth Advisor to the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) and the Education Above All Youth Board, and a proud LGBTQIA+ man, Max develops programs like the Youth Rights Academy, empowering youth in conflict-affected regions including Colombia, Palestine, and South Africa. He also serves on the UN Interagency Working Group on Youth under the UN Youth Office, where he contributes to steering high-level taskforces on youth participation, to be implemented by Member States. He is also a contributing writer in the Government Relations Committee of Evidence for Democracy, a Canadian not-for-profit pushing for evidence-based policymaking. He holds degrees in international development (LSE), international and european affairs (CIFE), and Law (Leeds). 

Max is the Executive Director of Afflican, advancing grassroots youth-led development in the Americas and Europe. He has led government-funded development programs, written education policy, and represented youth at forums including at the UN, the Vatican, and the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Fluent in several languages and published on topics from cybercrime to digital and labour rights, Max’s leadership and dedication to social equity, sustainable development, and human rights exemplify his commitment to driving positive change globally.