Geneva, Switzerland
2023 World Trade Organization
The Public Forum is the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) largest outreach event, providing a unique platform for stakeholders from around the world to discuss the latest developments in global trade and to propose ways of enhancing the multilateral trading system. Held annually, the event attracts representatives from civil society, academia, business, government, international organizations, and the media.
At the WTO Public Forum, YDC Delegates listen to, learn from, and interact with experts from around the world to strengthen their networks and gain deeper knowledge about the WTO’s mandate as well as international trade and finance. Delegates attend Summit sessions and participate in meetings with stakeholders on the ground during the Summit.
Marie Sereneo, Head Delegate
Marie Sereneo is a sustainability practitioner based in Calgary, AB. She currently works at ARC Resources, a Canadian energy producer, where she is focused on embedding Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues throughout the business. Prior to this, Marie was a consultant with Deloitte’s Sustainability and Climate Change Practice where she worked with diverse organizations on managing their sustainability risks and performance.
Growing up in Winnipeg, MB, Marie’s passion for the environment was first ignited by a water conservation project in high school, where she represented as a Canadian youth delegate at the Stockholm+40 Partnership Forum for Sustainable Development. She went on to complete a BScH in Environmental Science from Queen's University and an MPH in Environmental Health from the University of Alberta. Marie’s interdisciplinary research has focused on water-related topics throughout her academic career, having most recently contributed as a provincial working group member towards the implementation of water reuse schemes in Alberta.
Beyond her professional roles, Marie is a Steering Committee Co-Vice Chair for the Clean Resource Innovation Network and an Energy Futures Lab Fellow. She is also a Shaper and Outgoing Curator of the Global Shapers Calgary Hub, an initiative of the World Economic Forum.
Kenisha Arora, Communications Coordinator
Kenisha Arora is a Medical Science student at Western University and a dedicated advocate for quality education. She has been recognized by Forbes Magazine and received prestigious awards, including the Top 10 Global Student Prize.
As UNESCO's official Youth Representative for Europe and North America, she led a youth movement around "transforming education" that brought together 450,000 youth. Kenisha also launched a declaration with the United Nations Secretary-General that advocates for equipping students with skills vital for their future work and life, laying the foundation for a new era of education that supports skills development and readies the youth for global trade.
In Canada, Kenisha served as a School Board Trustee and represented the voices of 150,000 students from K-12. She successfully passed a provision for free menstrual hygiene products in school washrooms to combat period poverty.
At Western University, Kenisha holds positions as a Governor on the Board of Governors and Chair of the Student Senate, where she influences academic policies.
At the grassroots level, Kenisha's non-profit organization, The HopeSisters, are working across the world to spread hope through various projects; including Project HopeBags that aims to provide underprivileged children with essential items and educational opportunities.
Emel Tabaku, Delegate
Emel Tabaku (she/her) is a Master of Public Policy Candidate at the University of Toronto - Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from OCAD University, with a major in Drawing & Painting, and a minor in Art History.
Beyond her academic pursuits, Emel is a Junior Policy Analyst in the International Affairs Division of Public Safety Canada, where she is actively involved in shaping policies with a global impact. She is also the Founder and Executive Director of RCAD Initiative: Redefining Communities through Art + Design, a non-profit organization that empowers underrepresented youth through storytelling mentorship, entrepreneurial skills training, and innovative dialogue.
Earlier this year, Emel served as a Junior Consultant with UNDP Accelerator Labs Indonesia. During this experience, she authored a comprehensive 44-page guidebook on digitalization in the context of social entrepreneurship, showcasing her passion in this emerging field. Additionally, Emel played a pivotal role as the Arts Research Lead at the Green Career Centre, overseeing the development of the policy brief titled "Sustainability and Gender Inequality: A Local and Global Perspective.