Shuhei Nishiyama, UN Volunteer Associate Protection Officer was based in Nakivale, a refugee settlement, in Uganda between 2023 and 2024. He was with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and was responsible for monitoring youth projects in communities. His volunteer assignment was fully funded by the Government of Japan under the Japan-funded Global Human Resource Development Programme for Peacebuilding and Development (HRD).
A friendship match bringing together young refugees into the fold of opportunities—was one of the highlights of Shuhei's assignment. Uganda hosts the largest number of refugees in sub-Saharan Africa, with 80 percent of the refugees across 13 districts. Coming up with creative ways to have young refugees meet different groups of people while feeling included and part of society—was what Shuhei thought would be a positive means to an end.
Basketball and football games at Nakivale refugee settlement basecamp that Shuhei Nishiyama, UN Volunteer Associate Protection Officer helped organize. @ UNV 2024.
With the bigger picture in mind—the impact on the lives of approximately 180,000 refugees and asylum-seekers, Shuhei coordinated activities and interacted with programme partners and leaders of youth groups. The situation on the ground evolved quite rapidly—at times daily, says Shuhei. However, constant communication with supervisors and his ability to adapt to change was what he regarded as vital.
Youth is an important stakeholder in developing countries in the long run. Volunteering gave me the space to involve young refugees where they feel part of the process." Shuhei Nishiyama, Association Protection Officer with UNHCR, Uganda.
Shuhei Nishiyama (third from left) UN Volunteer Associate Protection Officer provides information on the voluntary repatriation scheme for Burundian refugees. @ UNV 2024.
Presently in 2024, there are approximately 120 UN Volunteers from Japan serving in some 60 countries around the world, of these 25 are fully funded by the HRD programme. A joint partnership between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and United Nations Volunteers, HRD was established in 2007 and is aimed at creating opportunities for skilled individuals in the peacebuilding and development initiatives of the UN.