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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 SARIKA GONZALES CHENNUR, A MILLENNIUM FELLOW FOR THE CLASS OF 2024.

University of Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania, United States | Advancing SDG 11, SDG 16, SDG 10 & UNAI 9

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" "I am excited to be a Millennium Fellow because the fellowship provides the perfect opportunity to develop my leadership skills in the social impact space. My research on the fisherfolk community on Puducherry's coast has shown me how impactful thoughtful, community-centered solutions can be. By becoming a Millennium Fellow, I hope to build on this work, collaborate with like-minded individuals, and turn innovative ideas into real, positive change that aligns with UNAI principles and SDGs." "

Millennium Fellowship Project: Shifting Sands

This research project investigates the socio-economic and environmental impacts of tourism development initiatives on the coastal regions of Pondicherry, specifically focusing on Pondy Marina Beach and Chinna Veerampattinam Beach (Blue Flag Certified Beach) as case studies. The study aims to understand how private and public-driven tourism changes affect the uptake of commons and the livelihoods of local fisherfolk, specifically focusing on economic upliftment and social inclusivity. These dynamics highlight post-colonial claims by fisherfolk over coastal spaces, exposing challenges such as socio-economic marginalization, ecological degradation, and governance inefficiencies. The goal is to evaluate the failures and successes of tourism on the coast while identifying public or private ways to sustainably balance tourism infrastructure and development with the protection of artisanal fishers, local communities and environment. Through educaitonal materials nad talking to people about the issue, I hope to raise awareness about it.

About the Millennium Fellow

Sarika Chennur is a senior at the University of Pennsylvania studying International Studies and Business with a focus on Energy, Environment & Sustainability in the Huntsman Program. Growing up between India and the Philippines, she developed a passion for sustainable development in the Indo-Pacific region. Sarika aims to use her interdisciplinary education to drive global change at the intersection of environmental resilience, social equity, and economic development. Her passions have inspired her international experiences from working in Vietnam at a start-up to encourage public transport adoption to studying human rights and city diplomacy during her semester abroad in France. Through the Millennium Fellowship, Sarika aims to deepen her understanding of urban resilience while creating an impact in climate-vulnerable countries and communities. After graduation, she hopes to work or pursue a graduate degree in the international development sector and sustainable management.

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