Desiree Marielle McGraw

Desiree Marielle McGraw, born in Montreal in 1969, has been involved in issues of global concern since age 15, as a speaker, organizer and consultant in the areas of sustainable development, social justice, peace and security. In 1992, Desiree McGraw was one of two World Youth Ambassadors to UNCED, appointed by conference Secretary-General Maurice Strong. She was appointed by the Prime Minister of Canada to serve as a Youth Advisor to the Canadian Delegation in Rio.

In 1990, Desiree McGraw helped develop Youth '92, a project which galvanized international youth participation in the World Youth Forum in Costa Rica. In 1989, she initiated and designed a national youth speaking tour on the environment, the SAVE Tour. Desiree McGraw received the first-ever UN Youth Award for Canada, the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award and Harvard University's Model UN Speaking Award for two consecutive years. She has worked as a consultant to the Canadian International Development Agency and the C.R. Bronffman Foundation. She is presently pursuing her PhD as a Commonwealth Scholar in International Relations and Development Studies at the London School of Economics.