When code meets culture: UVP devs sync in Morocco

Shalmoli Das and Steffen Schneider, UNV Information and Communication Technology
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In May 2025, Unified Volunteering Platform (UVP) developers from around the world converged, both in person and online, for a dynamic hybrid meet-up in Morocco. The event blended the buzz of face-to-face collaboration with the reach of Microsoft Teams, creating a space where ideas sparked, code flowed, and connections deepened.

The focus? Supercharging delivery, utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, and aligning on key initiatives—especially the business process streamlining project. But beyond the tech, the gathering was a celebration of what really powers development: people. 

From seasoned engineers to rising talent, participants shared one mission. Build better, smarter, and more human-centered UVP solutions. Whether onsite or remote, everyone brought their voice to the table, proving that great code starts with great communication and leads to stronger technical outcomes.

Be Present. Be Open. Be Human.

Urvashi Bundel, UN Volunteer Refugee Status Determination Officer, UNHCR Somalia
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I don’t carry a stethoscope or deliver food. I don’t build shelters or distribute clothing. I work with something less visible; but just as urgent. I listen. My name is Urvashi and I am a UN Volunteer with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Somalia.

As a Refugee Status Determination Officer, I help people fleeing war, persecution, and violence find protection. I meet them at their most vulnerable, often just after they’ve crossed a border or survived a life-threatening journey. My job is to hear their stories and help decide if they qualify for refugee status. In simple terms, I help them access safety through the law.

I have worked in Ethiopia and now in Somalia. 

"I come from the same community I serve"

Didier Habimana, UN Volunteer Refugee Youth Coordinator, UNHCR Kenya
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The UN is not just buildings and acronyms. It is people. People who care, who listen, who act. My name is Didier Habimana. I serve as a UN Volunteer Refugee Youth Coordinator with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Kenya. And I believe that if you bring passion, patience, and persistence, there is space for you here. 

Long before the UN Volunteer role, I was already doing volunteer work. I grew up volunteering—joining community initiatives, working with refugee-led organizations, and offering support where I could. In 2015, I became an interpreter for UNHCR. That experience opened my eyes. I saw what was happening behind the scenes in humanitarian response. I saw how systems worked—and sometimes, how they did not. I saw spaces where I could contribute more meaningfully. 

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