Youth advocate · Founder · Student
Savera Sidhu works at the intersection of psychology, wellbeing, education and social change, building spaces where young people are not simply heard, but trusted to contribute.
About Savera
Savera Sidhu is a Psychology and Criminology student at the University of Auckland, youth advocate and founder working at the intersection of psychology, wellbeing, education and social change. Her work is grounded in a simple belief: young people should not have to wait until something goes wrong to be given the knowledge, support or voice to shape what happens next.
As Founder and Executive Director of Bright Start, Savera focuses on preventative youth wellbeing, reaching more than 350 young people through workshops, resources and community initiatives while advocating for stronger investment in prevention through a petition that has gathered more than 1,200 signatures. Her advocacy also extends internationally through the 5Rights Youth Council, contributing youth perspectives to work on children's digital rights and artificial intelligence, and Girl Rising's Girls Advisory Council, supporting education initiatives for girls in India.
Through the 5Rights Foundation's Me & AI initiative, Savera contributed youth perspectives to research involving 1,128 children aged 10–17 across 49 countries. She also contributes to youth governance, education, public speaking and community leadership through organisations including the Whau Youth Board and TEDxUoA's Curation team.
A 1st Dan Black Belt and Karate New Zealand Judge, Savera brings years of competitive sport into her work. She has represented New Zealand internationally and placed 5th among more than 500 athletes from 27 countries at the Asia Pacific Shitoryu Karatedo Championships. In 2026, she was selected as one of 25 Y25 winners by YWCA Aotearoa New Zealand.
Across everything she does, Savera is interested in what becomes possible when young people are treated not simply as beneficiaries of change, but as contributors to it.
Karate
Years of competitive sport have shaped Savera's approach to resilience, leadership and community.
Areas of work
Savera’s work sits at the intersection of youth wellbeing, digital rights, education and meaningful participation. From preventative programmes in Auckland to international conversations on children’s rights and technology, she works to turn youth experience into practical action and systemic change.
Through Bright Start, Savera works to make youth wellbeing more preventative. She has reached 350+ young people, developed a 15 page Educator Toolkit and led advocacy for stronger preventative mental health support in primary schools, including a petition with 1,200+ signatures.
Savera brings youth perspectives into international conversations about technology, AI and digital rights. As a 5Rights Youth Council member and contributor to the global Me & AI research, she has contributed to work spanning 49 countries and advocated for young people’s voices in decisions about the digital systems shaping their lives.
Savera works to give young people a meaningful role in the institutions and communities around them. Her leadership spans youth governance, girls’ education, community co design and student voice at the University of Auckland, creating opportunities for young people to shape the decisions affecting them.
Savera uses speaking and youth participation to bring young people’s experiences into decision making spaces. She has spoken during UNGA High Level Week, contributed as a Student Voice Panellist to the University of Auckland’s 2026 Professional Staff Conference for around 600 staff, and helps shape ideas for the TEDxUoA stage through its Curations Executive Team.
Press & Recognition
Explore selected media coverage, recognition, speaking and student voice work.