SDG 1: No poverty, SDG 2: Zero hunger, SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities, SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
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.
18 June 2025
East and Southern Africa
Success stories
SDG 1: No poverty, SDG 2: Zero hunger, SDG 3: Good health and well-being, SDG 4: Quality education, SDG 5: Gender equality, SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
17 June 2025
West and Central Africa
Exposure story
SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
The political transition in Syria, which started in December 2024, presents a historic opportunity today—promoting justice, reconciliation, and sustainable peace. During my recent mission to Damascus, I couldn’t help but think of the millions of Syrians who crossed in the opposite direction over the last decade, forced to leave their homes in search of safety and dignity. And today, a shift gradually unfolds. Signs of cautious political stability, and with it, new opportunities for return, for recovery, and hope.
17 June 2025
Arab States
Success stories
SDG 4: Quality education, SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth, SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
When I first arrived in Poland, I felt alone, as if I had stepped into a world where I didn’t belong. The language barrier made everything more difficult—making friends, understanding lessons, and even simple conversations. I was afraid to speak, afraid people would laugh at my mistakes. But when I finally worked up the courage, I was met with kindness. People didn’t mock me; they encouraged me. This gave me the motivation to keep learning, to keep trying, and to believe that I could find my place in this new world.
17 June 2025
Europe and Central Asia
Success stories
SDG 1: No poverty, SDG 2: Zero hunger, SDG 3: Good health and well-being, SDG 5: Gender equality, SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation, SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth, SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
16 June 2025
West and Central Africa
Exposure story
SDG 1: No poverty, SDG 2: Zero hunger, SDG 3: Good health and well-being, SDG 4: Quality education, SDG 5: Gender equality, SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation, SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth, SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
Before volunteering with the UN, Pavlo Tishkov crunched numbers at the National Bank of Ukraine. But when war broke out, spreadsheets weren’t enough—he wanted to make a real difference.
16 June 2025
Europe and Central Asia
Success stories
SDG 3: Good health and well-being, SDG 5: Gender equality, SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy, SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 13: Climate change, SDG 15: Life on land, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
Fully Funded UN Volunteer from Japan, Akinori Miyamoto, a Project Specialist, connects smallholder farmers to market techniques.
13 June 2025
Asia and the Pacific
Success stories
SDG 3: Good health and well-being, SDG 5: Gender equality, SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
Raised between Kathmandu and Dublin, and half Irish, half Nepali, I am shaped by two vibrant cultures on opposite ends of the world. That dual experience frames my perspective: I’ve seen the glaring inequalities that exist, but also the resilience of communities facing them.
13 June 2025
West and Central Africa
Success stories
SDG 1: No poverty, SDG 2: Zero hunger, SDG 3: Good health and well-being, SDG 4: Quality education, SDG 5: Gender equality, SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation, SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy, SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth, SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities, SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production, SDG 13: Climate change, SDG 14: Life below water, SDG 15: Life on land, SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
12 June 2025
Asia and the Pacific
Exposure story
SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 13: Climate change, SDG 15: Life on land, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
Afryandani, known as Afry, is a Project Clerk with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Climate Promise project in Indonesia.Even though I’m not on the front lines planting trees or delivering speeches, I know that every contribution I make, allows those impactful actions to be fulfilled efficiently.”
12 June 2025
Asia and the Pacific
Success stories