George is a youth engagement and rights professional with more than twelve years of experience advancing student voice, youth participation, and inclusive policy at the local, national, and international levels. He joined the National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE) in January 2024 as Designer on Youth Engagement and also serves as Executive Director of the National Student Board Member Association (NSBMA), a youth-driven and intergenerationally sustained organization incubated by NCEE. Before joining NCEE and NSBMA, George worked across Europe and globally to strengthen youth rights and participation. At the United Nations Human Rights Office, he coordinated the organization’s first-ever global youth program, established its first global youth advisory board, and contributed to tools supporting implementation of the UN Youth Strategy, Youth2030. Earlier in his career, he worked with nonprofit and civil society organizations including the European Youth Forum, where he developed tools and training to help young people use international human rights mechanisms to advance youth rights. He also contributed to advocacy efforts on unpaid internships in Belgium that helped inform recommendations from the Council of Europe. George has also supported LGBTQ youth rights and inclusive education through leadership roles with Colour Youth in Athens, Greece and IGLYO at the European and international levels. His work has included strategic planning, program development, and resources to promote safer and more inclusive schools. He holds an MSc in Climate Change and Policy from the University of Sussex and a BA in Physics from the University of Bath.
George Charonis
Designer, Youth Engagement, National Center on Education and the Economy
