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 LAVANYA KARKI, A MILLENNIUM FELLOW FOR THE CLASS OF 2025.
University of Delhi North Campus | New Delhi, India | Advancing SDG 10 & UNAI 9
" A commitment to make the world a better place to live in along with a belief that a single step can lead to significant change- has driven me towards the prestigious UN Millennium Fellowship. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me to collaborate with fellow change makers and bring real impact in the lives of people, while solving actual problems of the community. My creativity, problem-solving skills and inquisitiveness, backed by determination and hardwork, will encourage me to make the most of this Fellowship. As I embark on solving problems like waste management, air pollution and lack of quality education at the grassroots level, I will be able to gain valuable experience and learning that transcends the boundaries of books. I strongly believe that the biggest reward of doing something for the society is the satisfaction that comes with it. I hope that by the end of this Fellowship, I will be able to bring a smile on the faces of some of my people. "
Millennium Fellowship Project: Project I Square: Involve and Include
Project I Square, an independent project led by Millennium Fellow- Lavanya Karki, is an endeavour to make our university campus, and through that, the society and the nation, more inclusive for Persons with Disabilities, through the power of people-to-people connect. I envisioned implementing SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and building a space where the differently-abled are able to realize their potential and social sensitivity becomes the norm, rather than the exception.
The Project envisioned mapping the needs of differently-abled students on campus through first-hand interaction. Based on an analysis of their needs, a Plan of Action was erected with a motivation to come up with and implement solutions that could bring some positive impact. Over the course of this Project, I have undertaken the following initiatives:
1. Awareness Generation on Disability Rights and Disability Inclusive Language:
By collaborating with the Enabling Unit of my college, I organized a Special Lecture on 'Fostering everyday inclusion through awareness of Disability Rights and Disability- Inclusive Language.' The Resource- Person was Dr. Abha Khetarpal, a leading disability rights activist in India. The session, with a strength of 40 students, proved immensely beneficial, as it provided novel perspectives on everyday inclusion and equipped participants with a knowledge of disability legislation in India as well as rights that empower them. 2. Digital Solutions to empower Persons with Disabilities:
Through the course of the project, I have worked on a website that provides digital solutions to foster inclusivity. I have developed an 'Accessibility Rating System' that allows users to rate the accessibility of various colleges of University of Delhi, North Campus as well as make informed decisions by reviewing average ratings. The platform has the potential of serving as a watchdog, in addition to developing a community of student contributors. In addition, I have worked on a preliminary speech recognizer and text-to-voice system, that facilitates easy communication.
My vision was to make the world a little better place to live in, especially for those who are special, in their own unique ways, as well as for those community, who will benefit by becoming more socially sentient. The inspiration for this Project is a quote- “Be the change you wish to see in this world.”
About the Millennium Fellow
Driven by a commitment to serve humanity and create a real impact in the lives of people , Lavanya Karki has been an academic achiever all through, an ardent MUNner, a TED Speaker, a published author with a flair for writing, researching and debating. Currently pursuing BA Political Science Hons. with minors in Economics from Miranda House, University of Delhi- Lavanya brings with her a vast and diverse experience of working with the community. A critical thinker who wants to solve ordinary problems of the world in extraordinary ways and a value driven individual and who has high regard for principles, she is characterized by inquisitiveness and humility. Currently, Lavanya is serving as the General Secretary of Students' Union of the Department of Political Science, while contributing in the activities of societies like Policy Centre and Gender Lab, Enactus etc. Lavanya's ambition is to serve the community in all her capacity, and to make the world a better place to live in.
