Laure Anne Storne and Mihail Platinda are UN Volunteers. The focus of their volunteer assignments—to work with Roma communities in the Republic of Moldova and promote their integration into UN programmes and initiatives. On Human Rights Day in particular, we acknowledge the importance and relevance of human rights in our everyday lives, and for societies to be more peaceful, equal and sustainable.
Laure is a fully funded UN Volunteer from France who started her assignment in September 2023.
Good, beautiful and honest, this is what volunteerism is for me. I've been engaged in it for over 15 years through various forms of activism. The call to action, the urgency of the issues, and the desire for social change are what drive me. I am Safet Kubat and this is my story.
I am a Doctor of Interdisciplinary Social Sciences by vocation, although my educational background is diverse, ranging from completing the Institute for Digital Media in Dublin to earning a master's degree in health management, pedagogy, political ecology, and more. I am quite specific and like to combine different tools, knowledge, and experiences to achieve my goals.
I started my volunteering journey as a UN Volunteer in the Republic of the Congo in 2016. This experience did not merely deepen my understanding of humanitarian work—it ignited a passion and that's kept me motivated to make an impact. My name is Augustin Munyabugingo and this is my story.
I was a UN Volunteer in the Republic of Congo from 2016 to 2018. I was an Associate Logistics Officer based with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) field office in Betou. I coordinated logistics during the repatriation of Central African Republic refugees from Likouala to their country of origin. Despite immense challenges, it was a successful repatriation operation and this inadvertently gave steam to my passion for supporting the humanitarian context.
I am Dalida Uguyeneza from Rwanda. Carrying the spirit of Africa means embracing a heritage rooted in resilience, unity, and pride. In Rwanda, this identity is profound—it’s a bond to the Bantu people, a legacy of community strength and a warrior’s heart. My melanin skin is more than appearance; it’s a radiant symbol of my heritage, a testament to the beauty and dignity that define our continent.
Yet, despite Africa’s richness in resources—diamonds, gold, and natural beauty—life here has its share of challenges. As an orphan raised by my father, I grew up without access to essential sexual education due to cultural taboos.
Like many, I became pregnant at 17, but I was fortunate to continue my education.
Today, Rwanda is working toward empowering young people through advocacy and awareness campaigns, fostering a brighter future.
