Development Perspectives

Although we are now seeing many Canadians eager to engage in international volunteer opportunities once again, we have heard from our IGNI+E partners that bringing together volunteers who can represent both national and international perspectives not only helped sustain momentum, but—as was the case at ACADES—also strengthened their results. So we undertook a study with our partners to learn more about their experiences during this unanticipated adaptation of our volunteer mobilization approach. Here are five key findings.

As part of their World Refugee Day campaign, UNHCR released their latest Global Trends report on the state of forced displacement around the world. Every year, UNHCR includes an analysis on data related to forced displacement, including the latest number of refugees, asylum seekers, stateless, and internally displaced people worldwide. Here are our five takeaways from…

Author Neha Chollangi This year’s International Forum dove into the “common purposes and shared futures” of social movements and global development leaders WHY IT MATTERS? Many communities in need are fighting multiple battles including the pandemic, climate change, and social justice issues. While local and international groups are pushing for change, intersectional and sustainable efforts are…

On March 15, 2020, the Government of Kenya closed schools nationwide in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result, millions of children’s education has been severely disrupted, leaving significant gaps in learning. For girls, in particular, being out of school for such a long period of time also increased their vulnerability to sexual and…

On November 17, WUSC co-hosted an exciting Roundtable Discussion: State of Play on Refugee Leadership: Young Refugee Leaders in Conversation with Allies. The global virtual event, organized with the Global Refugee Youth Network (GRYN), brought young refugee leaders from around the world, together with international practitioners, including representatives of governments, NGOs, multilateral organizations, academia, and…

Gender-based violence (GBV) affects nearly 1 in 3 women globally in their lifetime. While both men and women experience GBV to varying degrees, women are disproportionately affected, which both reflects and reinforces deeply rooted inequalities and discriminatory norms and beliefs. In addition, certain groups including girls and women from poor, rural or Indigenous communities; refugees…

Since 2016, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of refugee representation in policies and decisions that impact the lives of refugees around the world. The increasing participation and engagement of young refugees in decision-making processes is a positive step towards a better refugee response. Refugee leaders and refugee-led organizations (RLOs) around the…

Like many people I had a dream, and my dream was to become a successful diplomat. Thus, it was decided at my young age that I would study International Relations and Diplomacy in  university. I was extremely dedicated to my studies and spent eight hours a day at school without eating. Regrettably, after only one…

Hello, my name is Christine Achot Dior. I am a South Sudanese urban refugee living in Nairobi, Kenya. Before moving to Nairobi, I  previously lived in Kakuma Refugee Camp for a good number of years.  I have worked voluntarily for the refugees both at the The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the…

My name is Racheal Athiak Makuei, and I am a law graduate and an alumnus of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa. I am a refugee youth living at Kakuma Refugee Camp in Turkana County, in Kenya. I was born and raised in Kakuma and completed both my primary and secondary education in the camp.…