Young leaders of the future

Joining the Student Council

The beginning of active involvement in school and community life

At just 16 years old, Mădălina Sula from Todirești has earned the respect and admiration of her peers, becoming a role model of involvement and determination within her community. Her story began two years ago when she was elected as a representative in the Student Council (SC) of the Todirești Gymnasium, marking the start of her active involvement in school and community life and the beginning of a journey of personal and professional development.

“I believe it all started with my first activities in the SC. Although many people inspire me, my source of motivation is my teachers, especially those involved with the SC, who ignite a desire in me to do more,” says Mădălina.

Throughout this journey, Mădălina has faced various challenges, but her desire to succeed and to make a positive impact has been stronger, giving her the wings to be a leader of positive changes in her school.

“I’ve faced unpleasant situations and challenges, such as social anxiety, which I struggled with for more than two years. Although I don't believe I’ve completely overcome them, I’ve learned to control my emotions and realized that you learn from mistakes,” she confesses. “If you choose to stay in your comfort zone, you won’t make mistakes, you won’t learn, and you won’t get to where you want to be,” she adds.

Mădălina believes that a balanced daily routine is essential for personal development. “It’s important to take care of your body, mind, and soul. I always try to include these in my routine, which disciplines me and makes a big difference.”

In addition to formal education, Mădălina expands her knowledge outside of school through extracurricular activities such as learning foreign languages and developing new digital skills.

Although she prefers to work alone, the teenager appreciates the importance of collaboration and enjoys the support of her peers in the Student Council.

“In the SC, I have extraordinary colleagues who make the collaboration process much more fun and easier for me. I am extremely grateful to them.”

Participation in the #UNICEF Project

Mădălina has also been active in the UNICEF project “Youth Policy Development in Cahul and Ungheni,” implemented by the Youth Council of Moldova with support from the European Union. Participating in various training sessions, including “Leadership and Team Management,” as well as informational sessions, has allowed her to develop her leadership and advocacy skills, making her a dedicated young leader in her community.

“I hope this project continues in the coming years to motivate other young people and give them the chance to grow as active youth and as people in general,” she says.

On the occasion of International Youth Day, celebrated today, August 12th, Mădălina encourages her peers to follow their dreams with perseverance and to become ambassadors of positive change in their communities and the schools where they study.

“Don’t be afraid to make mistakes or to be misunderstood. Be realistic but aim high. No one has been, is, or will be perfect. You learn from mistakes. The more you step out of your comfort zone, the more you will develop as a person. Take care of yourself and know that you can shine, as long as you don’t let others steal your light,” she concludes.

The UNICEF project “Youth Policy Development in Cahul and Ungheni,” part of the “EU4Moldova: Focal Regions” program supported by the European Union, runs from November 2023 to October 2024 and involves hundreds of young people from these regions. Through its activities, the project contributes to the formation of a new generation of young leaders who are dedicated and engaged in community life.