The UWI Regional Headquarters, Jamaica W.I. Wednesday, October 19, 2022—Twelve undergrad students from The University of the West Indies (The UWI) are among the Millennium Fellowship Class of 2022, an international cohort of student leaders awarded fellowships to manage real-world projects that help advance The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

Christine Powell, Gilani James, John-Mark Haughton, Kelsi Grant, Kymani Mills, Moya Clarke, Odane Mcdonald, Saevion Mcfadden, Shenecia Adams, Shernorise Davidson, Shinelle Campbell, and Tejano Taylor were selected from 31,000 applicants worldwide for the semester-long leadership development programme coordinated by the Millennium Campus Network (MCN) and the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI). Just over 3,000 Millennium Fellows were chosen on 200 University campuses in 37 nations. The UWI is one of 200+ campuses worldwide (just 8%) in 37 countries hosting the Millennium Fellows this year. 

The UWI Millennium Fellows are working on ‘The Upliftment Project’, tutoring and providing mentorship to underprivileged children in Kingston, Jamaica, with the goal of increasing young Jamaicans’ access to education, information, and opportunities essential for their holistic development. They aim to positively impact more than 50 people during the Millennium Fellowship this year.

In addition to working on their community project, the undergraduate leaders will receive training, connections, and credentials as they take action to advance the 17 UN SDGs and 10 United Nations Academic Impact Principles.

As an SDG-engaged University, The UWI seeks to foster a teaching and learning environment that exposes students to opportunities to take real action on issues affecting the region and the globe. Earlier this year, The UWI joined the UNAI, UN’s global network of students, academics, scientists, researchers, think tanks, institutions of higher education, and educational partners. The University’s participation in the Millennium Fellowship as a member of the UNAI allows this select group of student to take their interest in social impact to the next level.  

Commenting on the programme, Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles said, “Across our regional university, several academics continue to advance meaningful work impacting the UN SDGs. We are dedicated to walking the talk as an SDG-engaged University and The UWI is pleased to be chosen for this unique programme. Our students will be afforded the opportunity to demonstrate their leadership and activism on a global platform. I wish them the very best!”  

Ban Ki-moon, eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations, shared his enthusiasm for the programme, “As Millennium Fellows, we need you to lead by example—with empathy, humility, and inclusion as guiding values. You can embrace global citizenship, building a strong global network to learn from and support each other…We are all counting on you to affirm the dignity of people and our planet, now and for years to come.”

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