Volunteer voices of inclusion from IOM Rwanda

Louise Bergman (Sweden), UN Volunteer Project Support Officer with IOM Rwanda, on the UN Day of Tree Planting. Photo: IOM 2019

UN Volunteers support the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in addressing human trafficking and migration challenges. This is the case in Rwanda, where Louise Henry Bergman (Sweden) serves as a UN Volunteer Project Support Officer.

As part of a team, Louise works on the implementation of two counter-trafficking projects, which strengthens the knowledge and capacity of the government to respond to trafficking. The projects include awareness raising in communities, which aims at informing community members about trafficking and related risks.

I was motivated to volunteer with the United Nations because of the excellent opportunity it provided to gain experience on both a professional and personal level. Serving IOM and the counter-trafficking is gratifying and in line with my interests, education and previous work experience --Louise Henry Bergman, UN Volunteer Project Support Officer with IOM, Rwanda

The 2030 Agenda calls for a "just, equitable, tolerant, open and socially-inclusive world in which the needs of the most vulnerable are met". Through her assignment, Louise is contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and striving for inclusion.

Louise’s activities target a wide range of beneficiaries and participants, from high-level government officials to refugees and members of border communities. This includes women and men, elderly and youth, host communities and refugees.

Her assignment is linked to SDGs 8, which call for effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking and SDG 10, which strives to facilitate orderly safe, and responsible migration and mobility of people.

IOM Rwanda is a diverse and multi-cultural workplace with many different nationalities, religions and cultures. My colleagues and I each bring different views and experiences to the team, which is a great asset to our work, and personally enriching. --Louise Henry Bergman