Countering Foreign Interference Youth Advisory Group

Agot is a South Australian law and international relations student at Flinders University with a strong interest in how Australia can protect its democracy while keeping communities informed, included, and supported. She’s passionate about ensuring young people understand what foreign interference looks like in real life—especially online—and feel confident navigating misinformation, manipulation, and pressure without fear or stigma.

Through the Countering Foreign Interference Youth Advisory Group, Agot hopes to help shape practical, youth-friendly approaches that build digital resilience, strengthen trust, and improve how government communicates risk—using clear language, culturally safe engagement, and solutions that reflect the everyday realities of young Australians.

Azeriah lives and studies in Perth, Western Australia. She’s a proud Indigenous Filipino from the Isnag tribe, which cultivated her to have a strong sense of community and justice.

In her spare time, she enjoys writing, painting, and reading. She’s a strong advocate against corruption and is passionate in spreading awareness about political issues. Azeriah has held leadership roles at her school, including serving on the Student Representative Council and her upcoming role as the Committee chairperson in 2026.

Within the group, she hopes to learn from her fellow members and create a positive impact for young Australians from multicultural backgrounds, ensuring that their voices are heard.

Elham is a motivated young leader from Launceston, Tasmania, originally from Ghana, and has lived in Australia for two years. She recently completed her Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) at Tas TAFE, where her commitment to learning and community involvement led to her recognition as a UENO Award Finalist (2025). Earlier this year, she also received the Tasmanian TASC Outstanding Achievement Award in VET.

Elham supports both young and older Australians through youth activities within multicultural communities in Tasmania, and through volunteering at Uniting Age well, where she helps coordinate leisure activities that promote social connection and wellbeing. She also volunteers with the Australian Red Cross and has completed programs such as the Teen Mental Health First Aid Course and Project Global Citizen. Passionate about inclusion and multicultural engagement, Elham looks forward to contributing her perspectives to the Countering Foreign Interference Youth Advisory Group.

Eric lives in Melbourne, Victoria, and has a background in biomedical science, consulting and youth leadership. He has experience working across research, policy-adjacent projects and community-led programs.

Eric is the child of Chinese immigrants and has a strong interest in Australia’s engagement with the Indo-Pacific, shaped by his family history, academic study and lived experience navigating different cultures. He is passionate about supporting young people to engage confidently with complex global issues and to access clear, accurate information in an increasingly interconnected world.  
Through the Youth Advisory Group, Eric hopes to support efforts that empower young people to think critically and contribute to a resilient and inclusive democracy.

As a member of the Countering Foreign Interference Youth Advisory Group, Ethan is committed to ensuring Australia’s response to foreign interference is grounded in democratic integrity, transparency and respect for human rights. Their perspective emphasises the importance of scrutinising the role of foreign state-linked actors within Australia, particularly where defence cooperation, surveillance technologies, academic partnerships and organised lobbying intersect with public institutions.

They are focused on protecting civic participation, safeguarding diaspora communities from undue pressure, and ensuring young people can engage in political life free from intimidation or distortion. Through the Advisory Group, they hope to contribute principled, youth-led advice that strengthens public trust and accountability in Australia’s national security framework.

Olivia is a final-year Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy, Economics and Bachelor of Arts student. Raised in regional Victoria, she is deeply committed to bridging opportunities for under-represented young people across Australia.

Her academic focus and professional interests consist of disaster management, counterterrorism, and nuclear security. Olivia brings a breadth of experience through volunteering, advocacy, policy research, and has represented Australia at international youth forums, shaping her passion for strategic policy. Her role within this group represents a convergence of these commitments and an unwavering ambition to meaningfully engage with young people who will soon be at the forefront of decision-making.

Olivia’s rural upbringing consistently informs and inspires her advocacy and policy lens. Beyond her studies, she is most at home outdoors, rock pooling, surfing, and bushwalking alongside her dogs.

Raheel is a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) student at Monash University with a strong focus on protecting democratic institutions in an increasingly complex information environment. He brings a sharp analytical lens shaped by legal training, economic reasoning, and hands-on experience in risk, regulation, and research-driven policy work.

Through his academic and professional work, Raheel has developed a clear interest in how foreign interference, misinformation, and covert influence can undermine public trust—particularly among young people. He is motivated to ensure policy responses are not only technically sound but also accessible, credible, and effective at the community level.

As a member of the Countering Foreign Interference Youth Advisory Group, Raheel aims to contribute evidence-based insights and a youth perspective to strengthen national resilience, improve public awareness, and support government efforts to safeguard Australia’s democratic processes.

Ryan is a recent Year 12 graduate, who plans on pursuing a degree in International Relations. Having lived in the Northern Territory for 9 years, Ryan is deeply passionate about the education divide between rural and urban schools, as well as rural representation and mental health.

With experiences as the ‘Northern’ Vice-Chair of the NT Youth Roundtable and being a member of the UN Youth Advocacy Program, Ryan is committed to shaping government policies to address the needs of youths.

During his tenure, he aims to provide the government with valuable insights and ensure that government policies and programs remain effective and engaging with the youth of today.

Based in Townsville, Queensland, Tenason is a law student and a Justice of the Peace. He is actively involved with Volunteering North Queensland through its Management Committee, where he supports volunteer coordination and disaster response efforts across the region.

Tenason has previously been involved in the Civic Engagement Youth Advisory Group and the National Indigenous Youth Education Coalition (NIYEC) Congress Youth Design Group. These experiences have shaped his interest in ensuring young people have a meaningful role in decision making. He has also co-authored and reviewed policy work with the Tech Policy Design Institute, including the Tetris for Australia’s Future: Aligning Our AI National Priorities report, contributing to discussions on emerging technologies, governance, and national resilience.

When he’s not doing something related to politics or law, Tenason is likely on his computer or watching sports. He’s a proud North Queensland Cowboys and Brisbane Heat supporter, and a big fan of Oscar Piastri.