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 MERCY DORICE ODHIAMBO, A MILLENNIUM FELLOW FOR THE CLASS OF 2025.
University of Nairobi Main Campus | Nairobi, Kenya | Advancing SDG 4, SDG 5 & UNAI 9
" This is a great opportunity to turn my ideas into action, connect with change makers worldwide, and create tourism projects that empower women and preserve Kenya’s cultural heritage, most importantly connect and network as much as possible. "
Millennium Fellowship Project: Eco-Equity
EcoEquity is an innovative and youth centered initiative designed to empower teenagers with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to address some of the world’s most pressing environmental and social challenges. At a time when climate change, environmental degradation, and gender inequality are reshaping global realities, young people stand at the forefront of opportunities for meaningful, lasting change. EcoEquity aims to nurture this potential by creating an inclusive platform where climate education and gender equality intersect.
Grounded in the principles of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 13 (Climate Action) EcoEquity promotes transformative learning experiences that inspire environmentally conscious and socially responsible youth. Through interactive workshops, school outreach programs, peer-led learning circles, and digital learning tools, the project equips teenagers with practical climate knowledge, critical thinking skills, and advocacy strategies.
A central focus of EcoEquity is ensuring that both boys and girls have equal opportunities to lead, participate, and innovate within climate action spaces. By integrating gender-sensitive approaches, the project challenges stereotypes, amplifies girls’ voices, and encourages boys to be allies in building equitable and sustainable communities. This dual lens not only strengthens environmental outcomes but also fosters fairness, respect, and inclusion among young people.
EcoEquity ultimately envisions a new generation of empowered youth who understand the urgency of climate action, appreciate the importance of gender equality, and are prepared to champion sustainable change within their schools, families, and communities. By investing in teenagers today, EcoEquity is shaping the leaders, innovators, and advocates of a resilient and equitable tomorrow.
About the Millennium Fellow
Mercy Dorice Odhiambo is a driven tourism and French studies student at the University of Nairobi. Born and raised in Nyakach, Kandaria, Kisumu County, Kenya, and now based in Nairobi, she is passionate about travel, cultural exchange, women’s empowerment, and sustainable tourism. Her vision is to promote women-led rural tourism in Kenya through her brand, *Rural Gems Kenya*.
At university, Mercy serves as the Chairperson of the University of Nairobi Arts and Tourism Association(UONATs), where she is leading efforts to revive and grow the club’s activities. She has also serves as Secretary of the Cercle de Français(CEFRUNA), coordinated teams for the Hult Prize Challenge, and supported major conferences like the Africities Summit. She was recently selected as a Millennium Fellow for the Class of 2025, a recognition by the United Nations Academic Impact and the Millennium Campus Network for her leadership and commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals.
Mercy plans to pursue a Master’s in International Hospitality Management at ESSEC Business School in Paris to expand her expertise and scale Rural Gems Kenya into a sustainable enterprise that empowers rural communities, preserves cultural heritage, and advances the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
