A Newnham student told the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge about her work encouraging world leaders to act to eliminate poverty during the Royal visit to Canada.
Umang Khandelwal, who is about to begin the second year of her Law degree at Newnham, met the couple at a reception organised by Justin Trudeau, Canada’s Prime Minister, for the Duke and Duchess to meet young leaders.
As a member of the Y20, Umang also represented Canadian Youth at the G20 Summit in China this summer.
The G20 is an international forum for the governments and central bank governors from 20 major economies including Canada and the UK. It was founded in 1999 with the aim of studying, reviewing, and promoting high-level discussion of policy issues which promote international financial stability.
The Y20 is an official engagement group of the G20, and the report that Umang was part of negotiating urges G20 members to take action to address the most pressing global problems.
During her trip to Beijing and Shanghai, Umang (NC 2015) had the chance to meet Li Yuanchao, Vice President of China.
On her return she updated Justin Trudeau via Google Hangout and advocated for the policies of the Y20 to be included in the final G20 recommendations.
Umang was then invited to the Prime Minister’s reception for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for them to meet young Canadian leaders.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are on a tour of Canada with their two children which started on September 24 and ends on October 1 2016.
Umang also spent time working at legal aid clinics for a pro bono legal aid society called Access Pro Bono during the summer where she assisted lawyers in providing legal advice to clients from low income families.
Back in Cambridge she is the Director of Policy for the Wilberforce Society, the largest student run think tank in the UK which was recently featured in the Guardian, and she is also an elected member of The University Council.
Umang visited China this summer as part of her role with the Y20
During her visit to Beijing and Shanghai, Umang (NC 2015) had the chance to meet Li Yuanchao, Vice President of China
Umang talking to Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, on Google Hangout
Umang, left, meeting the Duchess of Cambridge, far right