Griffith University has been selected to host a United Nations (UN) 2023 Millennium Fellowship Class (MFC) for the fourth year in a row, fostering student-led projects which support Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Griffith is one of two Australian universities chosen in a rigorous selection process, and among only 260 universities chosen from more than 3000 hopeful universities worldwide.
Fourteen Griffith students were selected as Millenium Fellows and will engage with a global network of undergraduate leaders to advance UN goals in the semester-long world-class leadership development program.
Vice Chancellor and President Professor Carolyn Evans said the appointment as a UN 2023 Millennium Fellows Campus reflects Griffith’s social impact values.
“We are honored to host the Millennium Fellowship Class of 2023 and congratulate the 14 Griffith students appointed this year,” Professor Evans said.
“The program provides our students with tools and resources to learn how to advance the SDGs and gives them the opportunity to engage with like-minded students around the world.”
Only 4,000 students were selected from 44,000 hopeful applicants worldwide, to participate in the 2023 program.
The 2023 Millennium Fellowship Griffith students are:
- Ella Toomey (Campus Director)
- Noah Simpson (Campus Director)
- Anna Brandon
- Asher Piari
- Claire Jukes
- Claire Smallhorn
- Georgia (Gigi) Souyave-Murphy
- Hannah Hastings
- Isabel Van Der Walt
- Jenny Woo
- Jesse Zborovsky
- Manolo Iachizzi
- Seyoung Ahn
- Ben Rhodes
Griffith Honours College and Student Success Manager Rhys Cooper said the achievement is a real win for Griffith.
“The application process is no small feat and illustrates Griffith students are eager to engage in social impact activities and want to make a difference in the world,” Mr Cooper said.
“This year’s cohort is an exciting mix of genuine, caring students who are very keen to act on the SDGs.
“Our students will be guided through the curriculum to sharpen their skills and take informed action for the UN goals while working collaboratively on innovative project ideas.”
Griffith Student and 2023 Millennium Fellow Claire Jukes is a first-yearbiomedicine student and aspires to work in an industry that tackles SDG2 Zero Hunger andSDG 3Good Health and Well-Being.
Ms Jukesis passionate about social impact projects and has a long history of facilitating and volunteeringfor programssuch St Vincent de PaulYouth, Rosies, and Griffith ENACTUS which is a community of students passionate about social entrepreneurship.
“The application process was a challenge and I’mso excited to be accepted intotheMillennium Fellowship program,” Ms Jukes said.
“When I was in high school, I participated in a Red Earth immersion program to Indigenous homelands in Cape York, and it was a truly enlightening experience.
“Discovering that one of the traditional owners, who was battling multiple sclerosis, had to undertake a seven-hour car journey to access medical care, was truly heart-breaking.
“The physical and financial constraints made this situation an unbearable burden.
“That particular experience served as a profound inspiration for me to consider a career in medicine, and to actively engage in initiatives that have positive societal influence.”