Kennesaw State’s United Nations’ International Children’s Emergency Fund partnered with Mighty Earth, an organization that seeks to promote the well-being of the environment, on their “Fish Yamaha Out!” campaign.
The “Fish Yamaha Out!” campaign is intended to increase pressure on Yamaha Motor Company to stop supporting legislation undermining environmental protection.
“If we do not bring attention to this issue, we could cause serious harm to our ecosystem,” UNICEF KSU’s President Marisol Mendez-Vasquez said. “The ocean is already in trouble due to climate change and pollution. Why add more damage?”
Mendez-Vasquez and others believe Yahama’s support of federal legislation could reduce environmental protections on fisheries.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, that legislation is the Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act of 2017 and the Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act of 2018.
“We focused on advocating for the protection of fisheries because if we didn’t, it would affect the environment resulting in an unsafe environment for our children,” Mendez-Vasquez said. “Additionally, UNICEF’s policies are based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as they believe that in order to provide a safe world for the children, we should focus on [protecting the environment].”
UNICEF KSU came to partner with Mighty Earth last semester when UNICEF KSU aided Mighty Earth in searching for a venue for their “Fishing For Change” concert. Thanks to the connections made at the time, Mighty Earth campaign organizer Celeste Nahas decided to ask for UNICEF’s help in increasing pressure on Yamaha.
Mendez-Vasquez said that UNICEF KSU involves a large amount of networking and fundraising, working directly with UNICEF USA’s Atlanta office. The club also participates in occasional meetups with fellow UNICEF clubs in the area.
“Last year, we got to meet Anucha Browne who is the Chief Strategy and Engagement Officer of UNICEF USA,” Mendez-Vasquez said.
“UNICEF works on protecting children’s rights throughout the world, bringing awareness about environmental, political, and social issues, and raise money to help communities throughout the international community,” Mendez-Vasquez said. “I learned about UNICEF through Model United Nations when the Community Engagement Fellow from the Atlanta office came to do a presentation about UNICEF’s work. I am majoring in International Affairs and I wanted to get more involved with organizations like UNICEF that protect human rights.”
Mendez-Vasquez said she hopes that anyone with an interest in protecting the Earth will join. She added that the club is a great way to network, volunteer and help build a resume.
“I hope to get more of the student body involved in our fundraisers and events,” Mendez-Vasquez said. “It is just so great to see so many people care about UNICEF and their work.”
UNICEF KSU hosted the Oceans Celebration on Wednesday, Feb. 13, to discuss the “Fish Yahama Out!” campaign.
As preparation for the event, officers and members of UNICEF KSU and Mighty Earth gathered signatures, promoted the event via social media and ran information tables on campus to attract attendees to the event.
“We had many conference calls and one-on-one meetings with Mighty Earth to plan the event,” Mendez-Vasquez said. “We did a lot of advertising on Facebook, Instagram, GroupMe and [sent] emails to spread the word around about the event.”
UNICEF KSU is currently planning its “Mile For Change” event to be held in March. Mendez-Vasquez encourages anyone interested in helping prepare for the event to contact UNICEF KSU via email at unicef.kennesaw@gmail.com.
To learn more UNICEF KSU visit owllife.kennesaw.edu/organization/unicefksu. To learn more about Mighty Earth visit facebook.com/MightyEarthATL/.