What We Stand For

"(1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit. (2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace."

 

– Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Letter from the Executive Director

Although education is a fundamental right clearly outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, there are countries, including UN member states, which do not recognize education as a human right. Consequently, they see no need to provide a free, public education system, much less one of good quality. On the other end of the spectrum, there are countries like U.S., arguably the most powerful and influential nation in the world, which has a staggering child poverty rate of 20.7 percent. According to Census data released in 2010, in our country alone, 1.4 million children fell into poverty in last year. Imagine what these numbers look like in developing countries.

 

With all the talk about Millennium Development Goals and fighting poverty, young people have become increasingly more excited to join the fight. There are many organizations that encourage young people to volunteer their time, energy, and even money to provide aid to children that live in poverty-stricken areas around the world. There are young people that have been inspired to build schools for children in poverty-stricken areas and collect money for health centers in these areas. While these are noble ventures, they only mask the underlying issues of poverty. MODEL26 seeks to take aid one step further by educating young people about the root of the poverty they want to eradicate (ethnic and religious tensions, corruption, lack of infrastructure, lack of educational opportunities, etc). Through strategic partnerships with international aid organizations, we will send campus leaders to poverty-stricken areas around the world, giving them physical exposure to the problems and the communities they will be working to help. Summer conferences and leadership institutes for dedicated students will feature keynote speakers such as policy experts, economists, and NGO directors as well as hands-on workshops to expose students to the ways that policy and non-profits can achieve permanent change in the world. These conferences, internship experiences, and service projects will create globally aware leaders and motivate students to pursue careers in public service or policy, thus tackling the causes of poverty instead of continually putting a band-aid over a bleeding wound.

 

If you browse through our website you will find detailed information about our programs and services, goals and mission, and our vision and purpose. If you are a student, I hope this website will answer most, if not all, of your questions about how you can get involved, as well as motivate you to take action. If you have the opportunity to participate in one of our programs, I hope that it opens your eyes and your mind to the possibilities and potential you have to change the world. If you are reading this as a potential donor or partner, I hope what you find inside will inspire you to join us in our fight against poverty and educational inequities by supporting us financially or providing mentor opportunities and experiences for our students.

 

In Solidarity,

 

Dyci Manns

Executive Director and Founder