Abyei, Sudan: After years of north-south war, the signing of Sudan's peace agreement in early 2005 meant refugees could go back to their places of origin. As a 'triple R' officer, I assist people as they come home and guide them as they begin to rebuild their lives. Read

Bonn, Germany: The UN Volunteers programme (UNV) is preparing to deploy the first of almost 600 UNV volunteers to the Darfur region in Sudan to provide substantive and mission support ranging from human rights and child protection to medical services, communications and logistics. Read

“Midwife Bahga, I will never forget how I have suffered and still do," said 13-year old Mehad, “I underwent female genital mutilation (FGM) at your hands.”  Addressing an awareness-raising session at a girls’ school, Midwife Bahga confessed, “I did not do this out of ill will, but out of ignorance.”  FGM is a fundamental violation of human rights that causes severe pain, trauma, sexual dysfunction, birth and other health complications.  Around 89% of women in the Sudan are affected by FGM. Read

TOKTEN, or Transfer of Knowledge Through Expatriate Nationals, is an innovative UNV programme that allows expatriates from programme countries to return home for a period ranging from two weeks to three months to contribute their skills and services to their homeland’s development. Read

It is a great honour to be invited to address this National Symposium, to be at this important event alongside such distinguished colleagues and to have the opportunity to share some of my thoughts. I believe it is particularly fitting that we are gathered together at Mogran, the very place where the two Niles meet, converge and flow forward as one. Read