“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead
It is our belief that the delegates and staff of NAIMUN XLIX are just the group of citizens to affect this lasting, positive change through NAIMUN Philanthropy.
Recognizing the importance of incorporating philanthropy into our initiatives to educate students on important international issues, NAIMUN has partnered with several non-profits in recent years. Through the generous support of delegates, moderators, and staffers, NAIMUN Philanthropy has raised over $58,500 for international charities since its inception at NAIMUN XLV.
Most recently, NAIMUN partnered with Free the Children, raising a phenomenal $25,340 to build a village in India. A report from Free the Children about our efforts can be found here.
NAIMUN XLIX is very excited to partner with Charity: Water, whose commitment to making possible those things so many of us take for granted, and to providing immediate practical assistance aligns closely with NAIMUN's goals.
Audrey Atencio
a.atencio(at)modelun.org
Director of Philanthropy
Charity: water at NAIMUN
More people die each year of diseases caused by lack of basic sanitation and unsafe water than from violent incidents like war. Almost 30,000 people die each week from unsafe water and unhygienic living conditions, and 90% of them are children under the age of five. According to the UN, if sanitation and water supply were improved around the world, global diseases would harm 90% fewer people.
Besides the simple health risks of unsafe water, there is a massive economic cost in the search for water; 40 billion hours are spent per year walking to obtain water in just the continent of Africa alone. Those 40 billion hours could be spent with families, working, or obtaining an education if water was located closer to the people who need it. Families are often forced to spend up to 11% of their yearly income to buy water in areas in which collecting water is difficult. It is estimated that $28 billion, around 5% of GDP, is lost every year in Africa as a result of unsanitary conditions and unsafe water.
Charity: water’s work also promotes gender equality. Women are able to pursue other activities, rather than spending the vast majority of their time collecting water. Access to water can improve the social structure of villages and empower women around the world.
The work of charity: water cannot be underestimated. On average, every $1 spent in charity: water’s water and sanitation projects yields $12 in economic returns.
A unique aspect of charity: water is the 100% Model: 100% of NAIMUN’s donation to charity: water will go directly to fund water projects in the field. With our goal of raising $25,000, NAIMUN will be able to sponsor a water project in a school and a separate water project in a village. The school water project will serve up to 1,000 people and the village water project will serve an average of 250 people with safe drinking water.
Once our water projects have been completed, NAIMUN will receive the GPS coordinates of the projects so that we can find our projects online and provide pictures and reports to NAIMUN delegates of how our Conference Charity donations have affected the lives of hundreds.
We look forward to your enthusiasm and support in fundraising for the conference charity, and challenge all delegates to break the record of $25,341 that was raised for the conference charity at NAIMUN XLVIII. At NAIMUN XLIX, numerous opportunities will exist for delegates, moderators, and staffers alike to support charity: water. Initiatives ranging from candy gram and raffle ticket sales to exciting and engaging in-committee fundraising will help us meet our $25,000 goal. If you would like more information about NAIMUN Philanthropy or how your delegation can fundraise for charity: water even before arriving to NAIMUN, please email Director of Philanthropy Audrey Atencio at a.atencio(at)modelun.org.
Social Justice at NAIMUN
In addition to our efforts to positively impact the global community through the Philanthropy program, NAIMUN strives to affect change in the lives of delegates by engaging them in social justice. NAIMUN XLIX will see the continuation of the annual Friday morning community service project, as well as the redesign of the Social Justice Symposium. At this event, delegates will have the opportunity to learn more about social justice projects designed and implemented by their peers, as well as the chance to meet with representatives from leading NGOs. We hope that this event can be both inspiring and educational for NAIMUN delegates!
