ABOUT THE MILLENNIUM FELLOWSHIP - CLASS OF 2025
United Nations Academic Impact and MCN are proud to partner on the Millennium Fellowship. This year, 60,000+ young leaders applied to join the Class of 2025 on 7,000+ campuses across 170 nations. 290+ campuses worldwide (less than 5%) were selected to host the 4,500+ Millennium Fellows.
UNITED NATIONS ACADEMIC IMPACT AND MCN PROUDLY PRESENT MUHAMMAD YOUSAF ILYAS, A MILLENNIUM FELLOW FOR THE CLASS OF 2025.
National Defence University | Islamabad, Pakistan | Advancing SDG 13 & UNAI 9
" I am excited to be a Millennium Fellow because it aligns with my passion for addressing the disproportionate impacts of climate change on marginalized communities. These communities are often the least responsible for environmental degradation, yet they face the most severe consequences, from rising sea levels to extreme weather events. I believe that by elevating their voices and fostering solutions rooted in their lived experiences, we can create lasting, equitable change. Through the Fellowship, I look forward to working alongside like-minded individuals and mentors to expand climate resilience, develop sustainable strategies, and advance the SDGs. This opportunity will allow me to turn local knowledge into global action, ensuring that climate justice is not just a concept but a lived reality for those most affected. "
Millennium Fellowship Project: Project Evergreen
Project Evergreen:
●Our first activity was a *plantation drive* where we collaborated with the Green Youth Club of NDU to plant trees and promote a greener environment.
●The second activity was an *awareness session* in underprivileged schools. In these sessions we educated students about climate change ,its causes, impacts, and the steps that can be taken to address it.
●The third activity was a *cleanup drive* during which we cleaned the environment and encouraged people to take responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean and avoiding pollution.
●In the fourth activity we focused *donations for flood victims* . While carrying out all our activities, we simultaneously collected donations and later provided to support to those affected.
To maximize impact, we also used social media platforms such as Instagram,Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok. Through these we raised awareness by posting pictures, posters and videos highlighting both our activities and ways people can contribute to combating climate change.
About the Millennium Fellow
Muhammad Yousaf Ilyas, born in Sargodha, is an International Relations student at National Defence University, Islamabad, whose determination has only grown since losing his vision at age 10. Dedicated to advancing inclusion and social impact, he has volunteered with the Helper Association of the Blind, leading awareness campaigns, organizing support programs, and advocating for accessibility. Under Project Ibtada, he has planned and help to implement 8 community initiatives addressing critical UN Sustainable Development Goals, from poverty alleviation to climate action. He is devoted to shaping a society where equality, resilience, and sustainable progress are not aspirations but everyday realities.
