top of page

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.

unaimcn.png

UNITED NATIONS ACADEMIC IMPACT AND MCN PROUDLY PRESENT RITISHA PRIYA, A MILLENNIUM FELLOW FOR THE CLASS OF 2024.

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras | Chennai, India | Advancing SDG 10 & UNAI 1

FELLOW.jpg

" My dedication to social endeavors is fueled by the deep fulfillment of uplifting others and driving positive societal change. Previous experience in organizing impactful initiatives reinforced my commitment to enhancing the quality of life for others. The Millennium Fellowship, aligned with UNDP and UNAI principles, offers an invaluable platform and guidance to approach societal challenges with a more structured and effective strategy. I am excited to leverage this opportunity to refine my efforts and contribute meaningfully to community development on a larger scale. "

Millennium Fellowship Project: Tribe Thrive Project

The Tribe Thrive Initiative is a grassroots project focused on supporting the Irula tribe, one of Tamil Nadu’s most marginalized communities, by addressing systemic challenges in accessing government welfare. The initiative aims to empower the Irula people by bridging the gap between policy frameworks and their on-ground implementation. This includes providing tailored policy education to the community, helping them understand their rights and entitlements, and advocating for the effective delivery of benefits such as housing, healthcare, education, and livelihood support.
A significant aspect of the initiative is assisting the Irula tribe with navigating complex administrative processes, particularly those related to land ownership and resource access. Land rights remain a critical issue for the tribe, impacting their traditional livelihoods and overall well-being. By streamlining the process and providing consistent support, the project seeks to secure the tribe’s rightful access to land and resources.
The Tribe Thrive Initiative also fosters collaboration with local stakeholders, policymakers, and non-governmental organizations to ensure that government programs are inclusive and sensitive to the unique needs of tribal communities. Ultimately, the project envisions creating sustainable pathways for the Irula tribe to thrive socioeconomically, preserving their cultural heritage while promoting dignity, equity, and self-reliance.

About the Millennium Fellow

Ritisha Priya is a Computer Science undergraduate at IIT Madras. She is deeply driven by a passion for fostering positive societal change. From a young age, she felt a strong calling toward community development, but it was during her sophomore year that she discovered a meaningful way to make a difference. Ritisha co-founded "Forget Me Not," a social campaign dedicated to raising awareness about dementia. The campaign's success, evident in the smiles it brought to countless faces, reaffirmed her commitment to uplifting others and deepened her resolve to continue making a meaningful impact, no matter the cause.

bottom of page