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 PALESA TAFARA PHIRINYANE, A MILLENNIUM FELLOW FOR THE CLASS OF 2025.
University of Botswana | Gaborone, Botswana | Advancing SDG 10, SDG 16 & UNAI 6
" Me being part of the Millennium Fellowship will enhance and further my skills on the field I am already in. Morever, it sharpens and paves my path, increasing my level of experience and acquisition of skills. The skills and experience I will acquire from this fellowship will make my social impact on schools that are aligned with the UNAI principles and SDGs . I am really excited to embark on this journey and see what this programme has in store for me. "
Millennium Fellowship Project: Safe Haven
Safe Haven: Speak, Heal & Empower.
•Situation analysis: to understand the local context, conduct community surveys, and speak to survivors. Challenges in the law and support systems. OBJECTIVES •to create a safe space for victims of GBV
• educate boys and men on gender sensitivity • Strengthen the community system to prevent and respond to GBV
• Raise awareness on GBV
Safe Haven is a project I have pondered on for some time ever since our country has been facing a rise of GBV cases. Safe Haven is all about creating a safe space, as the name suggests. This initiative is all about building safe environments where men, women, girls and boys can speak up, get educated on socialization, the urgent call to address is that of socialization, and also act against Gender-Based Violence (GBV). We wish to end the silence on problems including inequality, harassment, and abuse. We will teach both girls and boys about respect, consent, and equality by means of enjoyable and interesting activities including talks, seminars, artsy activities such as poetry nights and social media campaigns. We will also assist those impacted by GBV and educate young leaders to contribute to the safety and equality of our communities for all.
During the 4 months of the Safe Haven project, I have high hopes and expectations that it will not only solve problems but also make dreams come true and enhance security and project voices of victims. As of 2024, Serowe, Molepolole and Francistown recorded high cases of GBV. My project will be focused however on Molepolole because of the societal stigma attached to it when it comes to violence. My project will be trying to impact directly victims and perpetrators of Gender Based Violence but mostly the women, girls, and boys of Molepolole.
About the Millennium Fellow
Palesa Tafara Phirinyane is a 21 year old female, born and raised in the great and historic Republic of Botswana. She is pursuing her law degree at the University of Botswana, currently on her 5th year. For as long as she could remember, Palesa has always been so passionate in advocating for gender equality and making the world a better place by participating in activities that help eliminate social injustices as well as biased systems of justice. This passion has translated from Palesa’s choice of her field of study, her voluntarism in gender equality projects, and being a follower of the girls4girls movement. Moreover, she has interned at the Directorate of Public Prosecutions office in Botswana, which is an office that combats all forms of criminal cases by prosecuting criminals thus ensuring justice. Throughout her high school and varsity years, she has successfully organized and participated in social justice movements and projects, which through her excellent leadership skills, she plans to continue in the future. Palesa thrills and aspires to be in a professional field that is aligned with her societal goals as an individual and contribute in the development of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
