Zimbabwe UNESCO Project

My name is Lucy Chiwaka. I am the Zimbabwe Youth Ambassador for UNESCO Center For Peace. Last year I was chosen to represent Zimbabwe at the annual UCP Camp after entering the Worldwide Multimedia Competition. At the camp, I excelled and won Honorable mention and a medal for Best Position Paper in my committee. It was an enriching experience. However, one of the most shocking things was that I was the only Zimbabwean delegate, and the very first one to go the program. After speaking with the director, we decided there needed to be more Zimbabwean representation. I was thus given duties as an ambassador and will officially receive my title at this year’s camp. I am therefore pleased to announce that this year, for the first time, we have a Zimbabwean delegation travelling to Frederick, Maryland for the annual UNESCO Center For Peace Camp in mid-July.

UNESCO Center For Peace was founded in 2004 and works with the U.S. Federation of UNESCO Centers and Associations (USFUCA) and the U.S. National Commission for UNESCO Clubs, Centers, and associations (USNCUC). The main aim of UCP is to promote UNESCO, aiding them to achieve their goals in society, promoting their main targets i.e. education, natural, social, and human sciences, as well as communication and culture. The Summer and Winter Programs bring together youth, to discuss issues going on in their communities, exchanging ideas and exploring new ways of improving society. They include International Model United Nations, where delegates engage in a three-day debate to come up with a resolution for a problem going on around the world. Delegates can also engage in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) where they will explore all types of sciences and how they can coordinate them to address world issues. There is the UCP Local Project, where delegates learn how to develop and implement projects in line with the 17 Sustainability Development Goals. Lastly, delegates have the chance to travel to well renowned places in the USA, such as the UN Headquarters and Capitol, learning about historical events which have shaped our world today.

With all these opportunities, delegates are exposed to new things they haven’t seen or experienced before. This goes beyond a travelling opportunity. It is the start to representing our nation internationally, getting our voices heard, and improving Zimbabwe as we know it. With the delegates coming from a wide variety of communities, they get to come back with new ideas and visions on how they can improve society, making great use of the opportunity that has been given to them.

Our delegates were chosen from a rigorous competition that we held. Online applications were completed, and delegates were shortlisted from there. They then went on to do interviews in front of a panel of judges, and our delegation was chosen from the group of finalists. All our delegates possess phenomenal communication skills, leadership qualities displayed from the works they have already begun in their communities, from waste cleanup, advocating for young women and teen pregnancies, to excelling in the world of STEM. Unfortunately, many come from either very disadvantaged backgrounds, or financially restricting backgrounds which do not enable them to pay for the trip themselves.

UCP Zimbabwe has started a GoFundMe to raise money for our delegates. The trip requires a large amount of funds due to its extensive nature, thus we ask that you help us to raise the amount needed. Whether it’s spreading the link or donating, we greatly appreciate your help. We are willing to be accountable and give financial statements on how the money is used.