ABOUT THE MILLENNIUM FELLOWSHIP - CLASS OF 2024
United Nations Academic Impact and MCN are proud to partner on the Millennium Fellowship. This year, 52,000+ young leaders applied to join the Class of 2024 on 6,000+ campuses across 170 nations. 280+ campuses worldwide (just 5%) were selected to host the 4,000+ Millennium Fellows.
UNITED NATIONS ACADEMIC IMPACT AND MCN PROUDLY PRESENT BLANDINE IRADUKUNDA, A MILLENNIUM FELLOW FOR THE CLASS OF 2024.
African Leadership University Rwanda | Kigali, Rwanda | Advancing SDG 2, SDG 11 & UNAI 9
" As a passionate advocate for sustainable development, I am thrilled to be a Millennium Fellow because it represents an incredible opportunity to amplify my impact on global challenges. The collaborative environment of the fellowship will allow me to engage with like-minded peers and mentors, fostering innovative solutions that align with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through this program, I aim to enhance my leadership skills and deepen my understanding of systemic change, which is crucial for addressing pressing issues such as Hunger. I am excited to leverage the knowledge and resources gained from the Millennium Fellowship to create meaningful initiatives that empower communities and drive positive transformation. "
Millennium Fellowship Project: Accord the Famished
Accord the Famished is a community-driven initiative to combat post-harvest food wastage and enhance food accessibility for underserved communities. The project fosters collaboration with farmers to track surplus produce, which is purchased at fair, reduced prices and redistributed to vulnerable populations at affordable rates. Additionally, the project empowers farmers by providing training in sustainable practices, such as creating their own organic manure, to lower production costs. By addressing surplus management and promoting cost-efficient farming, Accord the Famished ensures a continuous supply of affordable food, reduces waste, and supports both farmers and communities in building a resilient food ecosystem.
About the Millennium Fellow
Blandine Iradukunda was born in Kigali - Rwanda. From an early age, she exhibited a keen interest in technology and problem-solving, often playing around with gadgets and exploring how things worked. Her inquisitive nature led her to excel academically, particularly in mathematics and sciences, which laid a strong foundation for her future endeavors.
Blandine’s academic journey led her to the prestigious African Leadership University (ALU), where she enrolled as a software engineering student. The university is renowned for its commitment to developing ethical leaders who are equipped to tackle Africa’s most significant challenges. At ALU, Blandine found an environment that nurtured her ambitions and provided her with the tools necessary to merge technology with social impact.
During her time at ALU, she immersed herself in various projects that focused on leveraging technology to address food security issues. She participated in hackathons and collaborative initiatives aimed at creating applications that could improve supply chain logistics for food distribution. Her coursework included subjects such as data analysis, machine learning, and mobile app development, all of which she envisioned applying toward resolving hunger-related challenges across Africa.
