Student-led mountain women advocacy gains recognition from the Department of State

Students from Utah Valley University (UVU) have been commended by the United States of America Department of State for their advocacy on behalf of mountain women at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) on 17 March 2023. Ambassador Michele J. Sison, Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs, recognized their efforts during a visit to UVU on United Nations Day on 24 October 2024.

The UVU students are part of the Utah International Mountain Forum (UIMF), a coalition of student clubs that utilizes an inclusive, co-curricular student-engaged learning (SEL) model. This model allows traditional and non-traditional students to work together, with faculty mentorship, to advocate for mountain communities. Non-traditional students, who are older than 25 and balance education with family and work, bring their maturity and responsibility to the learning environment, teaching younger peers valuable skills in this student-driven initiative.

Through the SEL model, students learn about sustainable development theories and gain practical skills for participating in the CSW, with 50 percent of their final grade based on SEL activities. The UIMF has been advocating for mountain women at the CSW sessions every year since 2017, collaborating with peers from the Kyrgyz Republic. At CSW67 2023, 28 UVU students, led by non-traditional student and mother of five Alitha Thompson, hosted a parallel event and participated in a side event sponsored by the Kyrgyz Republic's Permanent Mission to the UN. They also engaged in discussions with high-level officials, including the President of the UN General Assembly and Ambassador Mills.

UIMF leaders are now preparing for CSW69 in 2025, which will review the implementation of the Beijing Declaration. Their focus remains on advocating for mountain women, a group that has not been specifically mentioned in this declaration adopted 30 years ago. The UIMF’s parallel event is scheduled for the first day of CSW69.

Source: Utah Valley University

For more information: United Nations Day: Ambassador Michele J. Sison Inspires UVU Community | Utah International Mountain Forum | Utah Valley University