News
2025
At the invitation of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Geneva Switzerland, Dr Cynthia C. Umezulike, provided a thematic report and policy consideration statement at the World Food Forum Thematic Youth Assembly on Supporting Women and Girls in Decent Rural Employment. This Forum, held in technical cooperation with the International Labour Organization (ILO), focused on advancing sustainable economic opportunities for rural women. 
Drawing from her research, Dr Cynthia presented insights from extensive interviews and surveys conducted with rural market women - all under the age of 30 - in Enugu State, Nigeria. Her work highlights the structural barriers these women face in securing sustainable livelihoods and achieving economic inclusion.
Dr Umezulike emphasised that “Financial inclusion and economic stabilisation are non-negotiable if rural women are to continue anchoring local economies, strengthening food security, and sustaining their vital role in the agricultural value chain.” Her contribution underscored the urgency of targeted interventions to empower young rural women, ensuring they are financially included, less vulnerable to economic shocks and remain key drivers of resilient and sustainable food systems
Congratulations! 🎉 to the few selected delegates for the prestigious Advocacy and Social Action Development Program Cohort II at the University of Bedfordshire UK, Centre for Sustainable Development, Energy Transition, and Climate Change (CSDETCC), standing out among over 300 applications from across the world.
This selection is a testament to your passion, dedication, and commitment to driving social change and sustainable impact. As a participant in this transformative program, you are joining a global network of emerging leaders, change-makers, and advocates dedicated to shaping a more equitable, sustainable, and just world.
This opportunity is more than just an academic milestone—it is a platform to refine your leadership skills, engage in critical discourse, and implement actionable solutions for the most pressing challenges in sustainability, human rights, climate justice, and social impact. We encourage you to approach this journey with curiosity, resilience, and a bold vision for change.
Your selection marks the beginning of an incredible experience where you will be challenged to innovate, inspire, and contribute meaningfully to your communities and beyond. We look forward to seeing you embrace this opportunity, collaborate with fellow leaders, and make a lasting impact through advocacy and social action.
Welcome to a community of visionaries, problem-solvers, and global advocates. We are excited to support you in this journey toward shaping a brighter and more sustainable future.
Let the transformation begin!
2024
Dr Cynthia C. Umezulike actively participated in two significant international events: the COP29 Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, and the United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland. 
At COP29, Dr Umezulike emphasized the urgent need for a human rights framework in climate negotiations that prioritizes the needs of vulnerable nations. She called for these nations’ voices and challenges to be central to discussions on climate action. She also stressed the responsibility of high-income countries— the top historical carbon emitters— to significantly increase their financial contributions under the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) for climate finance.
In Geneva, at the United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights, Dr Umezulike participated in addressing the increasing importance of climate change litigation in holding both states and businesses accountable for their roles in the planetary crisis and its human rights implications. She highlighted the potential of climate litigation to influence policy, reshape corporate behaviour, and integrate human rights considerations into climate governance, with particular attention to intergenerational impacts. Dr Umezulike’s participations and contributions underscore the need for a more inclusive, accountable, and rights-based approach to addressing the global climate crisis.
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