31 Jul
Global Citizenship Insights, Global Citizenship Learning Program, News, Senior Fellow Initiatives

From Fellowship to Leadership: A Life of Public Service and Global Connection

In a recent conversation, the Melton Foundation Executive Office connected with Carlos Rilling Tenorio, Senior Melton Fellow and Executive Director in the Office of the President at the University of Chile. A lifelong champion of social equity and global citizenship, Carlos leads strategic initiatives in university governance, institutional planning, and international cooperation.His impact extends beyond national borders. He represented the University of Chile in the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) and was selected for the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), the U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange program. Whether contributing to Chile’s 2023 constitutional process or fostering global...

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18 Jul
Global Citizenship Hubs, Melton Grant Opportunities, News, Projects, Senior Fellow Initiatives

Redefining Period Talk: Empowering Girls Through Knowledge and Empathy

In India, where menstruation is still considered a taboo subject in many households, young girls often enter puberty with incomplete, incorrect, or harmful information. For many, the onset of menstruation marks not only a biological change but a sudden onset of shame, stigma, and silence. According to a 2022 report by UNICEF, 1 in 5 girls in India drops out of school after getting her period, and a further 71% are unaware of menstruation until their first cycle (UNICEF, 2022).Mental health, already a fragile subject in the broader education system is seldom part of the menstrual conversation. And yet, the...

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25 Jul
Melton, Projects, Senior Fellow Initiatives

Decoding the Indian General Elections: Insights from Melton Café

From the beginning, the Melton Cafe Session was based on the fundamental idea of inclusivity. This focus on establishing a secure and welcoming environment went beyond simple rules; it was a cornerstone that fostered an environment that supported meaningful and respectful discussions. Encouraged to freely and respectfully share, the fellows added to a rich tapestry of viewpoints that represented the variety of their experiences and backgrounds. The recent Melton Café session provided a profound exploration into the recently concluded Indian General Elections. The session featured insightful perspectives that dissected the complexities and nuances of India’s political landscape. The conversation was rich,...

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04 Jun
Projects, Senior Fellow Initiatives

Fostering Empathy and Understanding: Highlights from our ‘Melton Meet-up Café’ 2024

We recently hosted a virtual Melton Meet-up Café session, bringing together 47 Melton Fellows from around the world. The session, held on May 19th, 2024, is the start of many, focused on fostering open dialogue, empathy, and understanding, particularly in discussing humanitarian issues, resonating with Melton Fellows.The session began with a warm welcome to all attendees, emphasizing the importance of empathy in understanding complex humanitarian challenges. Our facilitator then provided background information on the ongoing humanitarian challenges faced by Palestinians, highlighting the urgency of finding compassionate solutions.Attendees were encouraged to share their personal experiences or insights related to the issue,...

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10 May
Projects, Senior Fellow Initiatives

Empowering Women Through Poultry Farming

Witnessing the growth and resilience of these women has been deeply inspiring. As they tended to their flocks with care and dedication, I saw their confidence soar. No longer confined by the limitations imposed by their circumstances, they emerged as entrepreneurs, capable of shaping their own destinies. The impact extended beyond economic empowerment; it permeated every aspect of their lives, instilling a newfound sense of agency and pride. As a global citizen, this experience has reaffirmed my belief in the power of grassroots initiatives to drive meaningful change. It has underscored the importance of supporting local communities in their efforts to...

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09 May
Projects, Senior Fellow Initiatives

Empowering Youth Through Science: A Collaborative Initiative in Chile

Collaborative Efforts:The success of this endeavor owes much to the collaborative efforts of various institutions. The Department of Morphological Sciences and the Biomedicine and Translational Research Laboratory at the University of La Frontera (UFRO), along with the Law Department at UFRO, played pivotal roles in providing expertise and support. Additionally, Bicentennial High School Padre Nicolás de Vilcún in Chile served as a vital partner, facilitating direct engagement with the students.Empowering Rural Youth:The project's impact reverberates beyond the confines of the classroom, reaching deep into rural communities where opportunities for scientific exploration are often limited. Through extensive conversations with educators and...

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21 Sep
Projects, Senior Fellow Initiatives

Together, the Africa we want is within our reach

Key Takeaways and Top Insights from the Main Summit Plenary:From the panel discussion sessions and conversations that the delegates had in the four days of the summit, they had the following insights.As the current and future custodians of our planet, youths stand to lose the most if the challenges facing Africa remain unabated amidst the multifaceted nature of most of them like climate disasters.Recognizing and providing assistance to marginalized young individuals who actively contribute to SDG attainment. Doing so acknowledges their invaluable efforts in overcoming adversity while driving positive change in their communities and ensures that their potential is maximized...

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06 Sep
Melton Grant Opportunities, Projects, Senior Fellow Initiatives

Stories across Boundaries: The Global Storytelling Festival 2021

The festival comprised of three events. It started with the mini-story contest that asked participants to submit stories that spoke about intercultural commonality and bridged inherent differences. The second was the impact storytelling workshop 101 which educated participants in the art of storytelling and the festival ended with a showcase that featured celebrated speakers and storytellers.Impact Storytelling 101 Workshop -  Demystifying the Art of StorytellingThe Impact Storytelling 101 Workshop was conducted on the 14th of August 2021. This hands-on workshop helped participants understand the importance of creating an effective narrative and taught them the necessary skills, tools, and processes needed...

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02 Oct
Projects, Senior Fellow Initiatives

Design Thinking and Skills Workshops for Melton Fellows

Lights, Camera, India GCC 2019!The India GCC 2019 at BMS College of Engineering began on the evening of the 23rd September 2019 with a brief address by our Learning Director, Alafia Stewart who introduced a very interesting ice-breaker game to energize the crowd.  Director of Strategy, Lars Dietzel, with a strong call to think outside the box in order to collaborate across boundaries and differences.We then heard from the newest members of our Melton Staff, Sonali Keshwa Murti, Program Assistant, and Ashitha Nayak, Communications Consultant, about their experience and role in the #IndiaGCC2019 and beyond.The session then progressed with a...

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18 Nov
Melton Grant Opportunities, Projects, Senior Fellow Initiatives

This Melton Fellow is meeting refugees halfway

Many people feel powerless as they watch a human catastrophe such as the European refugee crisis unfold. But not Melton Fellow Leo Schwarz. Leo decided he could not sit idle while so many people were experiencing unspeakable suffering so close to his doorstep. Read about his journey!

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18 Jun
Projects, Senior Fellow Initiatives

Storytelling: A trip to Qatar opened my eyes

Senior year, many say, is the best and the worst time of their high school career. For me it was the time of pressure, standardized testing, college letters and, worst of all: prom. (No, I’m kidding – prom was awesome!) But there’s something in this list that never in my wildest dreams I would have imagined would happen to me, and that was traveling to the Middle East.

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