UNICEF Campus Initiative National Council Excited for the Academic Year Ahead

The UNICEF Campus Initiative National Council, founded in 2008, strengthens the Campus Initiative program and works closely with the U.S. Fund to represent and support campus clubs around the country. This is the Council’s collective account of a two-day training held in New York last month.

As the newest members of the UNICEF Campus Initiative National Council, we met from August 24–26 in New York City at the U.S. Fund for UNICEF (USF) for an exhilarating weekend of training and learning. During this training we were introduced to USF staff, leaders and advocates to better understand how, in partnership with USF, we will effectively support over 120 UNICEF clubs and hundreds of student leaders. 

From left to right: Priya Parikh (Rutgers University), Cynthia Espinoza (University of California - Los Angeles), Brittany Stopa (Vassar College), Jackie Garcia (Texas A&M University), Carey Utz (The Ohio State University), and Soraiya Thura (Virginia Commonwealth University).

Throughout the weekend we participated in a number of informative discussions about awareness, advocacy and on-campus fundraising efforts with members of the Global Citizenship Fellowship, the Campus Initiative Alumni Association, and outgoing Council members. By exchanging best practices and discussing opportunities for future collaborations, we developed a work plan to further strengthen the Campus Initiative in 2013. 

Additionally, we were trained on the specifics of UNICEF’s flagship campaigns and resources, including Trick-or -Treat for UNICEF, the UNICEF Tap Project, the End Trafficking initiative and the newly launched UNICEF Action Center. Council member Jackie Garcia notes, “The training was amazing! It was great to work with wonderful people who share the same passion as me. I learned about more resources for campus clubs and ways for me to help clubs. I am so excited for this upcoming year!” 

The weekend was action-packed and helped to motivate and inspire us for the upcoming year. Cynthia Espinoza reflects, “This weekend was so incredibly valuable. It’s made the very difficult task of reducing 21,000 infant deaths a day a reality—a reality which I can’t wait to start working on and sharing with absolutely everyone.” 

We are extremely excited to work with campuses in their noble effort to help prevent child deaths all around the world. Truly, together we can make ZERO a reality.

To learn more visit our Campus Initiative Campaign page on the UNICEF Action Center. Questions? Please email campus@unicefusa.org.