This year, for our second annual gala, UNICEF-UM is focusing on ending child marriage in the United States of America. UNICEF defines child marriage as "a harmful practice and a violation of child rights and believes that marriage under age 18 should be prohibited in all circumstances, everywhere." Both UNICEF and the United Nations declare child marriage a human rights violation.

While our gala seeks to celebrate the work of our incredible members over the past academic year, and recognize and send off our seniors, we also hope to inspire our university community to take action with us in an effort to protect children.


UNICEF at Michigan also welcomes three special guests:

Dr. Fatma Müge Göçek: Dr. Göçek is UNICEF UM's faculty advisor and Professor of Sociology at the University of Michigan.

Her research focuses on the comparative analysis of history, politics, and gender in the first and third worlds. She critically analyzes the impact of processes such as development, nationalism, religious movements, and collective violence on minorities. She is currently working on a theory book, constructing social theory from the vantage point of minorities. Learn more here.

Paul Callejas: Paul is a Community Engagement Associate for the Midwestern United States and has become an integral connection for UNICEF UM's members who are eager to take their commitment to UNICEF USA to the next level. We welcome Paul as our special guest to thank him for his immense efforts in community mobilization and youth empowerment.

Paul grew up in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago. Being a product of the public school system, Paul believes that all youth deserve an equal chance of success. He has defeated many socioeconomic barriers as an indigenous man from Guerrero, Mexico; Paul has over six years of youth development and project planning, working with various non-profit organizations. He aspires to help as many Chicago teens reach their potential and become global citizens. Learn more here.

Keynote Speaker

Alicia Godsberg, Deputy Director of Global Programs at UNICEF USA & Keynote Speaker
Alicia has been with the Global Programs team at UNICEF USA (UUSA) since July 2016. Her portfolio covers UNICEF’s work in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and climate, energy, environment, and disaster risk reduction (CEED); she also supervises work on UNICEF’s Health and HIV/AIDS portfolios. Prior to working at UUSA, Alicia served as the Executive Director of Peace Action New York State and was the Research Associate for the Strategic Security Program and UN Affairs at the Federation of American Scientists in Washington, D.C. Alicia has a master’s degree in political science from The Graduate Center of the City University of New York and received her undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Michigan. Learn more here.




All proceeds will go directly to UNICEF USA's efforts to protect the rights of children

UNICEF at the University of Michigan is committed to following UNICEF USA's child-safeguarding best practices