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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.

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UNITED NATIONS ACADEMIC IMPACT AND MCN PROUDLY PRESENT RATHISH RANA RAJA SEKAR, A MILLENNIUM FELLOW FOR THE CLASS OF 2024.

Christ (Deemed To Be University) Bannerghatta Campus | Bengaluru, India | Advancing SDG 4, SDG 10 & UNAI 3

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" My work is driven by a deep empathy for children and a burning curiosity about how their minds develop. The Millennium Fellowship feels like the perfect next step - it'll help me bridge the gap between my research on child development and making real changes in kids' lives. I'm really looking forward to connecting with other fellows who share my passion for social impact. Together, I believe we can devise creative ways to tackle issues like educational inequality and child rights. This experience will push me to think bigger about how my psychology background can contribute to the SDGs, especially in areas that affect children's well-being. "

Millennium Fellowship Project: Filmy Magic

Filmy Magic is an innovative educational initiative addressing English language proficiency among underprivileged children in the JP Nagar slums of Bengaluru, India. Developed by Rathish Rana Raja Sekar during his Millennium Fellowship, the project transforms traditional language learning by using popular media like TV shows and movies as engaging teaching tools. By creating an immersive, enjoyable approach to English education, Filmy Magic helps 50+ children aged 5-15 overcome language barriers that typically limit their academic and professional opportunities. The program operates through weekly sessions, interactive worksheets, and carefully selected media content, resulting in remarkable improvements: student worksheet performance has increased from 45% to 70%, and 75% of participants now voluntarily engage in English conversations. Beyond immediate language skill development, the project aims to expand its model across Bengaluru and eventually throughout India, addressing educational inequity by making language learning both accessible and enjoyable for underprivileged children.

About the Millennium Fellow

Rathish Rana Raja Sekar is a dedicated psychology honours student at CHRIST (Deemed to be University) in Bangalore, India. Born in Tamil Nadu, Rathish's experiences with underprivileged children shaped his commitment to child rights and social justice. His academic focus on infant social cognition and developmental psychology drives his aspiration to contribute meaningfully to the field. Rathish's research interests have led him to present at international conferences, exploring diverse topics such as parent-child interactions, academic anxiety among students, and the experiences of transgender motherhood in India. Beyond academics, he actively engages in various leadership roles, from directing theatre productions to leading a research committee. Rathish's approach to psychology combines academic rigour with practical community work, reflecting his dedication to both theoretical understanding and real-world application. He aims to inform policy decisions in education and child welfare, aligning his work with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in quality education and reducing inequalities.

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