Skip to main content
WFUNA home

Global citizens
for a stronger UN

WFUNA home

Our Global Network

UNA Directory

UNA Activities

Establishing a UNA

WFUNA Youth Network

European UNA Network

Peace and Security

CSO Dialogues with the President of the UNSC

Security Council Debates & Briefings

UN Security Council Exit Briefings

Sustainable Development

Under the Starry Sky

16+ Forum

Dialogues at the UN

Human Rights

Human Rights in Action

Not under the UN Flag

Global Citizenship

Model UN

Mission Possible

Training Programs

Youth Camp: Korea

WFUNA Supporters

Youth Empowerment

Youth Participation at the UN

Youth Seminar Series

Young Leader of the Year

UN75

Media

Resources

FAQs

About WFUNA

Media & Newsroom

Global citizens
for a stronger UN

Back to News
  • Global Citizenship

Mission Possible: India Alumni Spotlight

Nandan

WFUNA Mission Possible Agent of Change Alumnus

The WFUNA’s Mission Possible program has been encouraging youth worldwide to identity and tackle local solutions important to them and their communities. Since 2015, the program has reached nearly 400 students that have implemented and managed youth-led development projects addressing one of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While the Mission Possible program lasts only five to seven months, WFUNA Mission Possible students make a commitment to serve as lifelong Agents of Change and carry forth the newly acquired skills, tools, competencies, and insights.

The Mission Possible team decided to catch up with Nandan Konety, a tenth grade Mission Possible alumnus from Vidyashilp Academy in Bangalore, India to learn about his work as an Agent of Change. After having worked on two Mission Possible projects: Team Corona (SDG 7) and Project Enact (SDG 11), Nandan continues to initiate development initiatives in and around his community. His new project is a campaign to give sight to 20 elderly people from villages in Bangalore (SDG 3). We thank Nandan for taking out the time to provide us with the following insights:

 

Q) When did you first start working towards the development of communities around you?

Ever since I was in preschool, I have felt an obligation to help…it was just the right thing to do in my eyes. I think that everyone has good intentions, the important thing is to take those good intentions and convert them into actions that better the community. WFUNA gave me the opportunity to channel beliefs towards something concrete that [makes]a tangible difference in people’s lives.

Q) We know that you have previously worked on two Mission Possible projects — how was your experience with those?

I really learnt a lot from both [of] my experiences... The projects I did changed my life path. I think of myself as someone who is socially conscious and aware of issues going on around the world. If not for WFUNA, I wouldn’t be the kind of person [I am now]. The projects taught me how to [turn] my thoughts into action.

Q) We recently came to know that you are leading a personal project to help elders in selected rural areas receive cataracts surgery. What inspired you to help these elders?

When I heard about WFUNA, I knew I wanted to do [Mission Possible], and [this feeling was] the same with my current project. [With] any volunteering opportunity that comes up, [I find that] it is the right thing to do so might as well do it. I make the same decisions I think most people [would] make but what I do differently is that I listen to every opportunity that comes my way because you don’t know if something will work out, [especially] if you don’t listen to the idea first.

Q) What has been your biggest challenge while leading your personal project?

The biggest challenge had to be doing [my personal project] all alone. Usually I work in a team and this [was]the first time I tried to raise funds alone, which was a big challenge. I couldn’t bank on anyone to get half the funds [and] had to do it all myself — which was a challenge. But this can also be a good thing.

You learn how to work alone, you learn to trust yourself, and most importantly you understand that you on your own can make a difference. You learn that it doesn’t take a half dozen people which drove me at least. I understand that one person can really make a difference, which makes me want to do more.

Q) What role does youth play in development?

Young people play a major role in development and it is critical that [they] keep getting involved [since they] bring something new to the table. New ideas and new perspectives [are needed] when the same people consistently fail to address an issue — it is vital to bring [in youth] that will.

Q) What advice would you give to a youth member that is passionate about working for development of their local communities?

For me, the major challenge was getting started and WFUNA was the starting block I needed. So, I would tell [youth] to not wait around for opportunities but [instead] to look for [an issue] around [them]. Once you take that first initiative, there is little that can stop you. Another [is] that one person — [no] matter their age, no matter their skills — one person who tries, can impact another person’s life greatly.

Q) What advice would you give to these youth?

It’s all about voicing your opinion and being confident. If you see an issue and have a [solution], be proactive. Don’t sit around because each person has new different ideas, and you never know if [your ideas will] make a real breakthrough, or find a more effective solution. [More] importantly, each person can make a difference.

 

To learn more about Nandan’s work, refer to the links below:

Mission Possible Project: Team Corona

https://wfuna.org/files/attachment/mission-possible-project/teamcorona.pdf

Mission Possible Project: Project Enact

https://wfuna.org/files/attachment/mission-possible-project/project_enact_vidyashilp_academy_2019.pdf

Personal project

https://www.fueladream.com/home/campaign/10826

 

  • Prev
  • Next

Related News and Events

Mission Possible
November 23, 2020

6 Months of Mission Possible

Since last May, more than 140 students from 15 countries on 5 continents have participated in Mission Possible’s Youth Connect and Kick-Start Your Action programs.
Global Citizenship
Kick-Start Your Action
August 13, 2020

Mission Possible Spans Continents

WFUNA's Mission Possible Online program keeps expanding! Since we launched in April 2020, students from more than 30 schools on five continents have signed up to our Kick-Start Your Action and Youth Connect programs.
Global Citizenship
Mission Possible
August 6, 2020

Mission Possible Releases Fall Schedule

As summer holidays come to an end, Mission Possible has released the dates of the Fall Schedule for the two programs.
Global Citizenship
UN Photo/Manuel Elias
July 29, 2020

WFUNA and ISA Join to Promote Youth Global Citizenship

NEW YORK, NY – The World Federation of United Nations Associations [WFUNA] and the International Schools Association [ISA] have signed a two-year agreement in an effort to promote the Sustainable Development Goals and global citizenship.
Global Citizenship
Mission Possible Conference
February 14, 2020

WFUNA Mission Possible Agents of Change Conference, 2020

The Agents of Change Conference was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City from February 5th to 7th. The annual event welcomed thirty students and teachers who completed the Mission Possible program to participate in educational sessions
Global Citizenship
Agents of Change celebrated their achievements at the Closing Ceremony in Singapore.
June 3, 2019

Closing Ceremony: Mission Possible Singapore, 2018-2019

“It is the first time we did a project where there was actual, real impact,” a student from Tanglin Trust School reflects about their experience with WFUNA Mission Possible: Singapore.
Global Citizenship
  • Load More

Donate

Why We Give: Inspiring Donor Stories

Join

Find your UNA, volunteer, employment, internships, learn more...

Subscribe

Stay in the loop with WFUNA!

  • WFUNA

    1 United Nations Plaza
    Room 0240
    New York, NY 10017, USA

    Tel: 212-963-5610
    info@wfuna.org

  • WFUNA

    Room 708, UNESCO Bldg
    26 Myeongdong-gil
    Jung-gu  
    Seoul, Republic of Korea (04536)

    Tel: +82 2 6925 2695
    View Korean site

  • FMANU

    Palais des nations
    Villa Bocage VB 3
    1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland

    Tel +41 22 917 3213
    info@wfuna.org

  • FMANU

    Rue Montoyer 14
    Bruxelles - 1000 Belgium

    info@wfuna.org

Global citizens
for a stronger UN

Additional Information

  • Sitemap
  • Constitution & Bylaws
  • Leadership
  • WFUNA Secretariat
  • WFUNA History
  • Employment
  • Internships
  • Newsletter
  • Get Involved
Copyright © WFUNA - World Federation of United Nations Associations | Stislow Design | Development: CEDC