Nikki Bozinoff

Committed to bringing the media and citizens closer together in developing countries

Nikki Bozinoff became aware of her talent as a communicator at an early age and quickly realized that it was a duty to communicate ideas and arguments. “I firmly believe in social journalism, in the contribution of communities and in the development of democracy by giving all citizens the power to communicate,” the arts and sciences student at McGill University emphatically asserts.

When she was only 13 or 14 years old, Nikki Bozinoff sent her first letter to the editor of the Toronto Star. “It was in the context of a public forum informing citizens on how to take part in critical debates and I spoke of the place that should be granted to young people. At the time, I was asserting something that I still believe in today: that taking volunteer action is not short-term involvement, it is a way of life.”

Ever since, Nikki has always exhibited her potential and a steadfast desire to play a part in change. For example, at high school where she was enrolled in a French immersion program, Nikki was a member of the Adolescent for Community Teamwork organization and was even editor-in-chief of the student newspaper. Moreover, one of the first things she did upon entering McGill was to get involved with The McGill Daily. After writing articles for all, or nearly all, of the paper’s sections, she was nominated to the editorial staff and also held the position of editor. In 2009, she won first prize in the category Solution-Oriented Writing of the prestigious Canadian University Press’ John H. McDonald student journalism awards.

First and foremost, Nikki is deeply affected by the inequalities of world health and has been an active member of the executive committee of the McGill Global AIDS Coalition since 2007. As well as participating in various fundraising activities, she put her leadership skills to the test above all when she organized a week of activities aimed at reminding students that AIDS still exists. Among other things, she supervised all communications aspects, and also organized a debate between different guest panellists who were invited to discuss AIDS in East Africa On two occasions, Nikki has come face to face with the health problems of Africa. The first was when she participated in a three-month training course in Africa with 40 other students, and the second during an internship in Ethiopia as research assistant for the BBC, helping produce special reports.

“In Montréal, I was able to see the influence that the media can assert on the population and how it can serve as an information and prevention tool in terms of health. This is what motivates me to do my share in helping developing countries capitalize on the media,” she confides.

Nikki fully masters the ins and outs of the written press but she has also signed up as a volunteer at the CKUT radio station in Montréal so as to get a better understanding of this medium and subsequently be able to turn it to her advantage. At the station, she helps produce the Health on Earth program.

“I know Nikki well enough to confirm that she has exceptional skills for making connections, pinpointing problems and prompting others to get involved in resolving critical situations. In short, she is brimming with talent,” maintains McGill professor Claudia Mitchell.

Nikki Bozinoff