A woman from St Albans was one of 250 young people from across Europe to challenge world leaders at the G7 Summit in Germany earlier this month.

Siobhan Palmer, 22, and a resident of Ladies Grove, travelled to Munich on June 5 to 7 to take part in the ONE Campaign’s Youth Ambassador Summit, a short distance from the G7 Summit at Schloss Elmau in Bavaria, to demand world leaders put the poorest first.

The activists in Bavaria were all members of The One Campaign, and called on leaders to pledge at least 50 per cent of overseas aid to the least developed countries, recommit to providing 0.7 per cent of National Income in aid and put girls and women at the heart of global development.

The group also called for a focus on girls and women, both to address the additional deprivation they face and because smart investments in women are more effective at lifting communities out of poverty.

ONE’s Youth Ambassadors, which included Miss Palmer, took part in a series of stunts and actions in Munich to amplify their calls.

These included giant balloon heads of G7 leaders to show the seven richest countries need to produce more than hot air and keep their promises to the world’s poorest.

The group also wore masks of the leaders around Munich to remind them they are accountable and to highlight the call-to-action, and they also joined a mass rally, featuring celebrities such as musician Usher, and global leaders like Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, along with thousands of people all united against poverty.

Miss Palmer said: "I got involved in the ONE campaign while I was a student. They ask for your voice, not your money, which is great as it allows you to work to affect change in practical ways like the summit, even if you’re not always in a position to donate.

"Attending the summit with 250 other Youth Ambassadors was a really positive experience, as we got to not only meet other like-minded young people who had been working towards the same goal from around Europe, but also engage local people with the issues that we feel need to be addressed at this G7.

"The world's most powerful leaders have the power to virtually eradicate extreme poverty by 2030, by allocating a greater share of aid money to the world's poorest countries, and by investing in girls and women, as empowering them has been proven to be especially effective in improving the lives of whole communities in the developing world.

"A highlight of the summit was speaking to local people at the united against poverty (Zusammen gegen armut) concert in Munich, and seeing thousands of people engaged and passionate about the world's future."