Post United Nations ECOSOC - UMUNYA VILLAGE INITIATIVE
The 30th April 2026 Introductory program on The Post United Nations ECOSOC Youth Forum and Umunya Youth (UMUNYA VILLAGE INITIATIVE), was well attend…
Read MoreRepresentatives of the Bar JUNI & Irene Menakaya Foundation International attended the United Nations Education Forum in New York, presenting the Foundation's RURAL+ model as a replicable framework for advancing SDG 4 in developing regions.
Prof Ada Juni Menakaya
April 28, 2026
2 min read
Foundation Participates in United Nations Education Forum in New York The Bar JUNI & Irene Menakaya Foundation International was honored to participate in the United Nations Education Forum held in New York, where Foundation representatives presented the RURAL+ Initiative as a replicable and scalable model for advancing Sustainable Development Goal 4 — Quality Education — in developing regions around the world. Professor Adaeze C. JUNI Menakaya, the Foundation's Consultant on United Nations Affairs, led the delegation. With her extensive background in UN affairs and education policy, Professor Menakaya was well placed to articulate the Foundation's approach to closing educational gaps in rural and underserved communities through a combination of solar-powered infrastructure, community engagement, and digitally enabled teaching. Sharing the RURAL+ Framework During the Foundation's presentation session, delegates from over 40 countries heard how the RURAL+ model addresses three core barriers to rural education: unreliable electricity, lack of trained teachers, and the prohibitive cost of learning materials. By tackling all three simultaneously — through solar power, teacher development partnerships, and subsidized digital content — the program has demonstrated measurable improvements in attendance and literacy rates in its pilot communities. The presentation generated significant interest from peer organizations working in Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, with several groups expressing a desire to adapt the RURAL+ framework for their own regional contexts. Strengthening Global Partnerships The Forum also provided an opportunity for the Foundation to strengthen existing partnerships and explore new collaborations with international NGOs, development banks, and UN agencies. These relationships are critical to the Foundation's long-term vision of reaching 50 communities by 2030. The Foundation remains committed to sharing its learning openly and working alongside global partners to ensure that no child — wherever they are born — is left behind. For partnership enquiries, please get in touch.
The 30th April 2026 Introductory program on The Post United Nations ECOSOC Youth Forum and Umunya Youth (UMUNYA VILLAGE INITIATIVE), was well attend…
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The Umunya Village Youth Initiative hosts a landmark Post UN ECOSOC Youth Forum Reflection on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at St. James Anglican Church Ha…
Read MoreRepresentatives of the Bar JUNI & Irene Menakaya Foundation International attended the United Nations Education Forum in New York, presenting the Fou…
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