His passion for social causes, coupled with a strong desire to make a positive impact on people’s lives, is what motivated Vangel to become a UN Volunteer. Meet Vangel Trkaljanov, a North Macedonian national who has served as Community and Educational Inclusion Programme Specialist with UNICEF. He shares with us his experience as a volunteer and the sense of accomplishment he felt from empowering educational assistants for the benefit of persons with disabilities.
Vangel joined UNICEF already equipped with a strong set of skills and understanding of social inclusion issues: his educational background, his previous experience in the private sector and with NGOs and his work at the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy had provided him with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by persons with disabilities and the importance of changes at the policy and system levels.
“I am passionate about contributing my skills, knowledge and dedication to support national-level efforts in promoting disability rights and social inclusion. Volunteering with the United Nations would allow me to leverage my diverse experiences and make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities”.
As a Community and Educational Inclusion Programming Specialist he was, among other things, the focal point for the UNICEF Office for the UN Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD), contributing to the various phases of project management, from developing the proposal to providing technical and operational support. He also engaged in tasks related to programme implementation, which included monitoring the progress of activities, evaluating outcomes and reporting on project achievements.
But what he found truly fulfilling were the train-the-trainer courses for educational assistants he organised and conducted; more specifically, he helped to develop training material, deliver the sessions and assess the impact of the training courses on participants. It was through these courses that he could see how his work could impact not only the direct beneficiaries, but also the community at large: “We witnessed a noticeable improvement in their instructional approaches, individualised support and inclusive classroom practices. This, in turn, positively impacted the learning experiences of students with disabilities, promoting their overall educational inclusion. As a result, there was a notable shift in attitudes and perceptions towards persons with disabilities. This increased awareness fostered a more inclusive and supportive environment, by reducing stigma and discrimination, and promoting the active participation of persons with disabilities in the local community.”
“Knowing that I played a part in creating a more inclusive and supportive learning environment is truly rewarding.”
What’s more is that this experience turned out to be a stepping stone to a new position, as the skills and competencies gained during that time made Vangel the perfect fit for the role of Project Coordinator on the UNPRPD project at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
He would not hesitate to recommend this experience to anyone wishing to broaden their perspectives, enhance their skills and forge lasting partnerships.
“Volunteering with the United Nations has allowed me to build a valuable network of professionals and organizations working in the field of disability rights and inclusive policies. The opportunity to collaborate with government agencies, NGOs, and community organizations has not only enriched my work experience, but also opened doors for future collaborations and career opportunities. The connections I have made during this experience have been instrumental in expanding my professional network and have the potential to create lasting partnerships for future endeavors.”
Story drafted by Online Volunteer: Anna Quici