By Theresa Schliep

If you have been on Facebook recently, you’ve probably seen photos of clubs, sports teams and friends posing for the Trick or Treat for UNICEF campaign. Monica Olveira, FCRH ’18, president and co-founder of UNICEF at Fordham, is one of the people behind the campaign.

“I have followed UNICEF’s work for a long time, and when I realized that Fordham didn’t have a UNICEF club, I saw an amazing opportunity to step in,” said Olveira.

Olveira was born in the United States, but her family is originally from Spain. In elementary school, she and her family moved to a small town in Spain called Vejer de la Frontera, where she stayed until high school. Her experiences revealed a reality that many in the United States turn a blind eye to.

“As a child growing up in southern Spain, it was common to hear stories of Sub-Saharan migrants, especially children, embarking on dangerous, ocean journeys to reach our shores,” said Olveira. “From an early age, I was struck that people could go through such troubles in search of a better life.”

Olveira is studying international political economy on the French Language track. She’s interested in languages, education and migration, and says Fordham has let those interests flourish. She says her IPE major keeps her focused on the big picture.

“It helps me maintain a global mindset, think critically about international issues, and stay connected to my life in Spain,” she said.

UNICEF took off at Fordham in Fall 2016. Olveira says the highlight was traveling to Washington D.C. for UNICEF’s Annual Meeting, where the executive board was able to meet with United States representatives and advocate for children.

In Spring 2017, Olveira interned for UNICEF under the Sports Partnerships department. Now, she serves on the National Council of UNICEF USA, which is comprised of six college students chosen from across the United States.

“It’s hard not to be inspired by an organization like UNICEF,” said Olveira. “From providing vaccines to advocating for educational access, UNICEF’s scope and international influence on the lives of children is truly unparalleled.”

UNICEF is a program under the United Nations that works on advocating for children. Some of its work includes providing children worldwide with lifesaving vaccinations, promoting education for both girls and boys and providing emergency relief to children and their families in the wake of disasters. Monica says some of these issues are bleak, but the work inspires her.

“The issues and realities we deal with at UNICEF are grim, but the culture and the people are so positive and warm,” she said. “Innovation and resilience are at the heart of UNICEF’s work and they give me hope that it’s possible to take strides towards combatting hunger, poverty and inequality.”

One reason Olveira gives for the importance of her work is the apathy that some in her generation show.

“I worry that people have become desensitized and detached from the suffering of others,” said Olveira. “My work through UNICEF has allowed me to challenge fellow students and friends to reject indifference and choose empathy. In choosing empathy, we become a community of individuals driven by action and change.”

Outside of UNICEF, Monica interned for Religions for Peace USA at the United Nations in her sophomore year where she, “focused on combatting Islamophobia and building positive, inter-religious networks in the United States.”

Last year, she received a research grant and traveled to Europe to study the refugee crisis and education. Now, she works for Ambassador Flores at the Permanent Mission of Honduras to the United Nations, serves on the United Student Government House Committee, interns in the West Wings Scholars Program and is a member of the Fordham Club.

One of Monica’s current projects is the Trick or Treat for UNICEF campaign. They team up with sports teams, clubs and student groups to expose some of the issues affecting children worldwide. There is still time to sign up, too.

“Thanks to our wonderful student photographers, we organize fun photoshoots on Eddie’s where participants can learn more about our work and get their photos taken with some of our UNICEF props,” she said.

As for Olveira’s plans after she graduates, her future is wide open. She’s considering going to Cambridge University for their master’s program in Education, Globalisation and International Development. She’s applied for the 2018-2019 academic term. If not, she’ll stay in New York City and continue her work with UNICEF and the United Nations.

Those who are interested in joining the Trick or Treat for UNICEF campaign can email [email protected], or attend one of their weekly meetings in Keating 114 at 8 p.m.