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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 SAMYUKTHA VIJAY, A MILLENNIUM FELLOW FOR THE CLASS OF 2024.

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

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" I am excited to be a Millennium Fellow because it aligns perfectly withmy passion for driving meaningful social change. The program offers me a platform to refine my leadership skills, collaborate with like-minded changemakers from around the world, and amplify the impact of my projects. As someone deeply committed to creating equitable and sustainable solutions, the fellowship provides me with the tools, mentorship, and global network needed to scale my initiatives and translate ny vision into tangible outcomes. It’s an opportunity to grow as a leader while contributing to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. "

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

Samyuktha Vijay is a 3rd-year student in the Integrated MA in Development Studies program at IIT Madras. As the head of the institute’s Oratory Club, she is deeply involved in public speaking and advocacy. Her academic interests include gender, public policy, and globalization, which are reflected in her various research projects, such as studying queer rights in Chennai, analyzing the feminist economy, and exploring inclusive public spaces through photo essays. Samyuktha has worked on field-based initiatives like the Tribe Thrive project to support the Irula community and assessed sustainable menstrual health solutions in Mizoram. She has also interned with Design:Co Lab, contributing to the Gender and Public Spaces project in collaboration with the Greater Chennai Corporation. Samyuktha is passionate about combining research with practical solutions to drive social change.

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