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Young Difference Makers: Sitali Chiuyu on Building Integrity, Accountability, Education, and Responsible Tech · Difference Makers Podcast

• 0:00
  Sitali Chiuyu: The summit showed that real change happens when we recognize how issues like education, governance are interconnected.
• 0:09
  Sitali Chiuyu: It's never just one problem.
• 0:11
  Sitali Chiuyu: Every solution affects another.
• 0:15
  Sitali Chiuyu: Um hello, uh my name is Sitali Chiuyu from Zambia here in Munich, German.
• 0:26
  Sitali Chiuyu: I'm here uh representing ZICA, uh my internal auditor at Kapasamakas.
• 0:32
  Sitali Chiuyu: Interestingly, my journey to becoming a chartered accountant uh didn't start in a in the traditional way.
• 0:47
  Sitali Chiuyu: I actually began my career as an engineer.
• 0:51
  Sitali Chiuyu: I would always wanted to be both an engineer and an entrepreneur.
• 0:56
  Sitali Chiuyu: While waiting to get a university placement after high school, I decided to start accounting just to pass time.
• 1:05
  Sitali Chiuyu: I enrolled for a certificate in accounting but stopped midway when I was awarded a government scholarship to study engineering.
• 1:16
  Sitali Chiuyu: After completing my degree, I felt drawn back to accounting and decided to finish what I had started, uh a Zika accountant program.
• 1:26
  Sitali Chiuyu: I didn't realize then that I would fall in love with the profession so deeply.
• 1:32
  Sitali Chiuyu: Over time I discovered that accounting gave me the analytical and ethical grounding I needed to understand business from the inside out, something that also strengthened my entrepreneurship mindset.
• 1:47
  Sitali Chiuyu: In my current role as an internal auditor at Kapasamakasa University, I'm focused on strengthening accountability and transparency in the management of public resources.
• 2:07
  Sitali Chiuyu: I believe that integrity in our institutions directly impacts the quality of education and the opportunities students receive.
• 2:17
  Sitali Chiuyu: Through my work, I help ensure that systems are fair, funds are used for their intended purposes, and risks that could undermine the service delivery are identified and addressed early.
• 2:32
  Sitali Chiuyu: Beyond my profession, I also engage with young people to promote ethical leadership and financial interest because I believe accountability starts with awareness and empowerment at the community level.
• 2:46
  Sitali Chiuyu: It's truly a privilege that Zika considered me to represent not just the Institute but also Zambia on this global stage.
• 3:30
  Sitali Chiuyu: My standout moment has been connecting with young leaders from all over the world, people who are passionate about solving real problems and driving positive change in their communities.
• 3:43
  Sitali Chiuyu: Being in that environment reminds you that the work we do back home, whether in accounting, governance, or education, fits into much larger global effort for integrity and sustainable development.
• 3:59
  Sitali Chiuyu: It's both humbling and inspiring.
• 4:01
  Sitali Chiuyu: At the summit, one of the strongest messages for me was the importance of responsible technology.
• 4:09
  Sitali Chiuyu: One of the core themes, responsible tech, reminded us that AI and innovation must be used ethically, transparently and always in service of people, not just profits.
• 4:22
  Sitali Chiuyu: Another insight was the need for system thinking.
• 4:29
  Sitali Chiuyu: The summit showed that real change happens when we recognize how issues like education, governance.
• 4:38
  Sitali Chiuyu: It's never just one problem.
• 4:54
  Sitali Chiuyu: Every solution affects another.
• 4:58
  Sitali Chiuyu: And lastly, I learned that the power of action and global connection through the workshops and networking, I realized that although we come from over 190 countries, we share similar challenges and same human desire to live freely, peacefully, and with purpose.
• 5:17
  Sitali Chiuyu: We all have a shared responsibility to take actions towards a better world.
• 5:22
  Sitali Chiuyu: In 10 years, well, I see myself making a real impact on global stage.
• 5:39
  Sitali Chiuyu: Using my background in auditing, governance and entrepreneurship to drive accountability in public sector and innovation.
• 5:49
  Sitali Chiuyu: I want to be part of shaping systems that are transparent, ethical, and data-driven, especially across Africa, where strong governance can unlock massive potential for growth and education.
• 6:05
  Sitali Chiuyu: Whether through policy making, international collaborations or technology-enabled accountability tools, I envision using my skills to empower institutions to serve people better, ensuring that integrity and impact go hand in hand.
• 6:21
  Sitali Chiuyu: One of the speakers at the summit, David Basley, shared something that really stayed with me.
• 6:29
  Sitali Chiuyu: He said that even in great darkness, a small candlelight still shines bright.
• 6:38
  Sitali Chiuyu: That message reminded me that creating change doesn't always have to start big.
• 6:44
  Sitali Chiuyu: My advice to young professionals is simple.
• 6:48
  Sitali Chiuyu: Start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can.
• 6:52
  Sitali Chiuyu: Even small, consistent acts of integrity, kindness, or innovation can have a ripple effect.
• 6:59
  Sitali Chiuyu: If each of us focuses on making small positive differences in our own space, together we can create real lasting impacts in our communities.
• 7:11
  Sitali Chiuyu: Well, this experience has been truly life-changing.
• 7:18
  Sitali Chiuyu: Being at the One Young World Summit and connecting with so many brilliant young leaders from all over the countries has broadened my perspective in many ways I didn't expect.
• 7:29
  Sitali Chiuyu: I've had the chance to interact with people from different backgrounds, cultures, and professions, all united by one go, to make the world better in their own unique ways.
• 7:42
  Sitali Chiuyu: It's shown me that leadership and impact have no boundaries and that collaboration across diversity is our greatest strength.
• 7:52
  Sitali Chiuyu: Going forward, I carry these lessons into my work to think more globally, act more inclusively, and continue building bridges that turn shared ideas into real lasting change.