Working to end extreme poverty – Alumni Stories, Michelle Beckett
We’re always excited to hear what our former students have been up to since leaving York St John, and so we were delighted to hear from Michelle Beckett, who was recently awarded the British Empire Medal for services to disadvantaged people in the United Kingdom and abroad.
Michelle, who graduated in 1995, has worked with children all over the world in countries as diverse as Romania, Brazil, India, Mozambique, South Africa, Mexico and the United Kingdom. Passionate about social justice since she was a child, Michelle spent time before university helping at a Romanian orphanage, and whilst a student took the opportunity to work with street children and in the favelas in Brazil. After graduating she returned to Brazil, spending six months living and working in the favelas where she set up a pre-school, vital work for helping prevent children ending up on the streets.
Working in areas of extreme poverty soon led Michelle to consider what could be done at a governmental level, not just on the ground, “There are examples all over the world where people’s human rights are not being upheld and I knew I had to do something,” she said. “I began to write papers, lobby and raise awareness about extreme poverty by delivering presentations to schools, universities and churches.” This led to work with the United Nations regional consultation meetings regarding the Post-2015 Development Framework (Sustainable Development Goals), which succeeded the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.
York St John alumna Michelle Beckett, third from left.
Michelle’s work was recognised in the Queen’s 2017 New Year’s honours list, when she received the British Empire Medal. Looking back on the work which led to receiving this honour, Michelle reflects on her time at York St John. “I am truly thankful for the opportunity I had to study both Social Sciences and English and Related Literature at York St John. These programmes helped provide me with the essential skills I needed; I wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for the education and experiences I received at York St John.”
One thing underpinning Michelle’s work is her Christian faith. She currently serves the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) on their Refugee Task Force and United Nations Team and this work has included speaking at the United Nations and contributing proposals on behalf of the WEA Refugee Task Force for the United Nations Global Compact on Refugees and the United Nations Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. Michelle is currently preparing resources for World Refugee Sunday which this year is held on the 17th and 24th June, 2018. Further information can be found on the refugee highway partnership website.
Going forwards, it’s much more of the same for Michelle. “My heart’s desire is to continue working towards the eradication of extreme poverty, as well as doing more to help people who have been forcibly displaced from their homes due to persecution, violence, war, natural disasters and hunger. Ultimately, to follow my calling from God: to alleviate suffering and bring His love and hope to the poor and needy.”
Do you have a story to share with us? we’d love to hear from you, drop us an e-mail to alumni@yorksj.ac.uk
