I am Emi Leung from Japan and I am a UN Volunteer Governance Officer with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in The Gambia. My volunteer assignment is funded by the Government of Japan since March 2025. My work centers on one mission: supporting the electoral processes and helping Gambians shape their democracy. After more than 20 years of authoritarian rule, the peaceful transition in 2017 was a historic turning point. But progress remains fragile. Reforms have stalled, politics are deeply polarized, and misinformation is spreading fast. In this landscape, every effort to strengthen electoral processes and civic participation matters.
Working closely with the Independent Electoral Commission, I focus on the next electoral cycle (2026–2027). One of the most rewarding parts of my work has been joining a nationwide training mission across all ten regions of the country.
The initiative Strengthening Inclusive and Participatory Elections marks a decisive break from the past, positioning The Gambia to honour its international and regional commitments. The process has been widely praised for its inclusivity, engaging Gambians from all walks of life—women, men, youth, persons with disabilities, and the diaspora. So far, we've reached around 293 participants, including 53 persons with disabilities and 164 women. Sessions are delivered in local languages and supported by a sign language interpreter so nobody is left behind. These trainings have become safe spaces for people to share personal experiences, challenge discriminatory norms, and prepare to take part in elections with confidence.
My role extends beyond elections. Under the UNDP’s Governance Unit, I also support projects such as the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS and the Security Sector Reform initiative.
Working across sectors—from health to security has shown me how deeply governance connects to everyday life. The challenges of transition aren’t abstract; they live at both the grassroots and national levels, and they demand listening as much as technical know-how.
In July 2025, I served as UNDP The Gambia’s focal point for the Sahel Governance Forum—a regional platform on governance, social cohesion, and public trust—organized with the Goodluck E. Jonathan Foundation, the UN Sahel Office, and International IDEA, under the leadership of The Gambia’s government.
I coordinated logistics, led rapporteurs, and prepared briefing materials. The Forum brought together former heads of state and diverse regional stakeholders and launched The Future of Governance in the Sahel report, underscoring a truth I witness every day: when community perspectives guide high‑level policy dialogue, public trust grows.
Volunteering has also changed me. Balancing intensive field missions with strategic, high-level events has sharpened my project management and coordination skills. More importantly, listening—really listening—to communities has reinforced why platforms for citizen voice matter. I bring my academic and professional background to the table, but I also learn from people in return. That exchange is the heart of service.
Working with UNDP has given me the opportunity to grow both professionally and personally. The testimonial of the Team Lead from the Governance and Peacebuilding Cluster at UNDP in The Gambia encapsulates the core of my service: "Emi has demonstrated remarkable flexibility and adaptability, fitting seamlessly into our multicultural team and building strong relationships with both staff and partners in a very short time."
Volunteering isn’t only about giving back—it’s about building bridges of trust and ensuring communities have the knowledge, tools, and space to shape their democratic future with confidence and dignity.