Claywords: Dev Sharma, social campaigner, Youth MP, UK, food industry, food poverty, Winchester, Bite Back 2030, access to good diet, Food Foundation, child food poverty campaign, Marcus Rashford, 10 Downing Street, cabinet ministers, Labour leader, Keir Starmer, Diana Award, holiday hunger, Free School Meals, online ban in junk food marketing, open letter campaign, Boris Johnson, corporate pressure, government, Queen's speech, celebrities, Jamie Oliver, food charities, Youth Parliament, Leicester, City of Winchester, ambassador, Akshaya Patra, Advisory Board, charity EAT, international acclaim, Jamie Oliver, Dame Emma Thompson, UN, New York, House of Commons, UNICEF, social media platforms, A-Levels, Winchester College, GCSE, Rushey Mead School, organizations, Chair, Member, Formerly

Dev Sharma, an 18-year-old social campaigner and Youth MP from the UK, is making waves in the fight against the injustices of the broken food industry and the devastating effects of food poverty. As the Youth MP for Winchester and Chair of Bite Back 2030, a youth-led movement advocating for equal access to a good diet, Dev is committed to bringing about real change.

At the age of 15, Dev played an instrumental role in sparking the child food poverty campaign led by Marcus Rashford in 2020. His efforts led him to deliver a Food Charter to 10 Downing Street and engage with influential cabinet ministers and Labour leader Keir Starmer. Recognizing his tireless activism, Dev was honored with the prestigious Diana Award.

Drawing on his own experiences at school, Dev has been a powerful voice for tackling issues such as holiday hunger and advocating for Free School Meals. He initiated a groundbreaking campaign for the world's first total online ban on junk food marketing, launching an open letter campaign addressed to Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister at that time. The campaign garnered widespread support, including endorsements from celebrities like Jamie Oliver and various food charities. Consequently, in June 2021, the campaign's success led to its inclusion in the Queen's speech by the government.

Dev's impact extends beyond the UK borders, as his campaigning work has gained international recognition. He has been applauded by renowned figures like Jamie Oliver and Dame Emma Thompson. He has delivered speeches at the United Nations in New York, addressed the House of Commons, and featured on UNICEF's Instagram channels. His social media presence has garnered over 1.5 million views and 200k likes.

Dev's academic background includes studying A-Levels in History, Geography, Economics, and EPQ at Winchester College, where he is predicted to achieve 3A* grades. Previously, he completed his GCSEs at Rushey Mead School.

Throughout his journey, Dev has actively contributed to various organizations and initiatives. He currently serves as a Member of Youth Parliament for Winchester and was previously the Chair of the Youth Select Committee at the House of Commons. He has also been a member of The Board of Advisors at EAT, a Global Core Group Member at Act4Food Act4Change, and an Ambassador for the #iwill campaign. Additionally, Dev has been an advocate for The Akshaya Patra Foundation UK, a Young Food Ambassador for The Food Foundation, and an intern at UNICEF.

In summary, Dev Sharma's passion for social change, particularly in the realm of food poverty, has defined his young career. From his role as a Youth MP to his advocacy work with influential leaders and his successful campaigns, Dev has become a force to be reckoned with in the fight for a fairer and healthier society.