Danielle Goldberg is Managing Director of the Community Alliance for Child Rights at UNICEF USA. She leads work with municipal governments and national and state partners to embed children’s rights, voices, and best interests in local decision-making. She initiated UNICEF USA’s Child Friendly Cities Initiative in the United States and oversaw its launch in 2020. She now leads its evolution toward a broader child-centered governance strategy connecting cities, young people, researchers, and national partners. Her more than 20 years of experience span human rights, peacebuilding, education, and youth engagement.
Mahmoud is a Duke University student from Minnesota and of Eritrean heritage. In his second year on UNICEF USA’s National Youth Council, he brings interests in law, public policy, and developmental economics to his work on human rights and global issues. His experiences include policy research, an undergraduate fellowship in Middle Eastern Studies, and advocacy with UNICEF clubs and legislators in Washington, D.C. He also served on the Harris Poll Youth Advisory Board, helping bring young people’s perspectives into research on civic engagement.
Episode 81 Summary
In this episode of Human Rights Education Now! podcast, Danielle and Mahmoud explore children’s rights, youth civic engagement, and the importance of making young people’s voices count in public decisions. Drawing on his involvement in a national youth survey, Mahmoud describes a generation that believes in its ability to create change while often feeling unheard by those in power. He discusses differences in trust between local and federal leaders, the value of direct relationships with elected officials, and how young people are building connections and organizing across communities.
Danielle explains how UNICEF USA’s Child Friendly Cities Initiative has informed a broader approach to child-centered governance. She describes practical strategies (including youth councils, child impact statements, children’s budgets, children’s cabinets, and youth ombuds offices) that can make consideration of children’s rights a consistent part of government. The conversation emphasizes that meaningful participation requires structures through which young people can influence decisions and see their perspectives taken seriously.
The guests also reflect on their personal journeys into human rights. Mahmoud discusses his family’s experience moving to Minnesota, the impact of community solidarity, and learning about housing rights and the legacy of apartheid during a summer in South Africa. Danielle shares how university study, personal experiences, and work in education and peacebuilding shaped her commitment to helping people understand and act on their rights. She introduces the Convention on the Rights of the Child as a framework for recognizing children as rights holders and supporting their participation in everyday life.
The episode concludes by considering the interconnected challenges facing children, including conflict, displacement, and access to essential resources. Danielle and Mahmoud reflect on leadership, dignity, and the importance of making rights meaningful close to home. Their advice to young listeners centers on recognizing the value of their lived experience, continuing to speak out, and building supportive communities that can turn shared concerns into action.
Topics discussed:
- Youth civic engagement and trust in government
- Meaningful youth participation and representation
- Child-centered governance and Child Friendly Cities
- The Convention on the Rights of the Child
- Human rights education and personal experiences
- Conflict, displacement, and children’s rights
- Community solidarity and advice for young advocates
Full topic listing available for PDF download HERE.
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