Norwu Kolu Harris is a formidable climate and economic (debt, tax, etc.) justice expert, a dedicated feminist, and a highly respected human rights defender with over 15 years of transformative leadership in social justice, gender equity, and community-driven development. As the Climate Justice and Youth Program Coordinator at ActionAid Liberia, Norwu champions the fight for systemic change in climate policy, feminist just transition, economic justice, and gender-responsive public services. Her work is reshaping Liberia’s climate justice landscape from the grassroots to the global stage.
Renowned for her strategic vision and deep commitment to feminist values, Norwu leads innovative programs centered on climate justice, natural resource governance, resilient livelihoods, and equitable energy solutions. She is at the forefront of designing and advancing climate justice policy advocacy frameworks at the local, national, regional, continental, and international levels. She has played a direct contributing role in Liberia’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) 3.0, ensuring that climate commitments are grounded in human rights, gender equality, youth leadership, and just transition principles. Her engagement has strengthened the inclusion of civil society, women, and frontline communities in national climate planning and accountability processes. Through her leadership, she is cultivating a generation of women and youth who are not only informed but empowered to influence decision-making processes.
Norwu is also a lead author and contributor to influential policy publications on extractives and human rights protection, domestic resource mobilization for climate finance, debt justice, taxation, and feminist just transition frameworks. Her policy work is widely used by civil society movements, national stakeholders, and international partners to advance rights-based climate governance and equitable development in Liberia and across Africa.
Norwu is experienced at community organizing and movement-building, driving forward policy reforms and climate action that prioritize marginalized voices. She actively collaborates with elected officials, government institutions, and community leaders to ensure inclusive participation in shaping climate and development agendas. Her work spans climate-induced disaster response, energy justice, and rights-based approaches that center women and youth as critical agents of change.
As a key contributor to ActionAid’s global climate justice strategy, Norwu has played an instrumental role in crafting grant proposals, policy memos, research tools, and strategic reports. Her feminist approach interweaves narrative power and intersectional analysis into climate programming, effectively linking local realities to the broader goals of the ActionAid Federation.
Her advocacy and program work have directly impacted over 50,000 individuals and reached more than three million people through strategic digital engagements. Under her leadership, women and youth, especially smallholder farmers and local entrepreneurs have co-created and sustained grassroots climate solutions, from agroecology and local energy alternatives to bold advocacy campaigns. These empowered groups are now shaping governance structures and holding duty bearers accountable across multiple levels.
Her academic and professional accolades further reflect her global stature. Norwu holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration and is an alumna of the Mandela Washington Fellow. She also serves as a board member at Helping Our People Excel Inc. (HOPE – Liberia). She is an alumna of the Network of Emerging Women in Politics (National Democratic Institute and Mano River Union Secretariat), the Sister-to-Sister Mentorship Program (Nobel Women’s Initiative and Coady Leadership Institute), and several other prestigious platforms that cultivate feminist leadership and international advocacy.
Norwu exemplifies visionary leadership in the climate justice movement. Her passion for equity, justice, and human dignity drives every initiative she leads. She is not only a voice for the voiceless, but a catalyst for the systemic transformation needed to build a just, green, and resilient future.