Grow food crops or plant trees? The binary dilemma of sustainable forest production and consumption
Monday, 21 March 2022
by David Onen Ongwech
We should not need a reminder that 31 per cent of modern diseases are a result of deforestation, nor another reminder from Franklin D. Roosevelt that “A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forest are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people”. We are at a crucial time to check our consumption of forest products and re-write the history in making bold efforts to grow trees and protect all forest-related resources. It is estimated that forests have the potential of lifting one billion vulnerable people out of poverty and can create 8 million green jobs. If you believe that your children and future generation deserve a much better future, then may this day propel you to make deliberate efforts to do what you can, from where you are, and with what you have!
ActivismDaily MonitorDr Chris DolanErin BainesGilbert NuwagiraInternational Day of ForestsJustice Rapid ResponseKim Thuy-SeelingerLaurel FletcherNew VisionOffice of the Prime Minister-UgandaOnen David OngwechRefugee ForumRefugee Law ProjectRefugees in UgandaSOAS Refugee ForumSOAS University of London
- Published in Climate Change & Environment Debates, Concerned Citizen, Refugee Debate
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“Our Parents Do Not Know” Homeschooling fatigue among refugee children during COVID-19.
Thursday, 07 January 2021
by David Onen Ongwech
In case you missed the 2020 National Virtual Learning Event on Child Protection, and/or the presentation made during the event by Mr. Onen David Ongwech (RLP’s Programme Manager Gender & Sexuality), we are pleased to share a copy of the presentation titled; “Our Parents Do Not Know” Homeschooling fatigue among refugee children during COVID-19 induced lockdown”.
The 2020 National Virtual Learning Event on Child Wellbeing took place from 25 – 26 Nov 2020 and was co-hosted by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and the National Child Protection Working Group (NCPWG) guided by the theme “Child wellbeing during and Post COVID-19 Context in Uganda”.
ActivismCentre for Migration and Diaspora StudiesChild ProtectionChild SafeguardingChildren WellbeingConflict-related sexual violenceDaily MonitorDr Chris DolanForced Migration StudiesGilbert NuwagiraHeleen TouquetJerker EdstromJustice Rapid ResponseKim Thuy-SeelingerOnen David OngwechRefugee Law ProjectSOAS Refugee ForumSOAS University of LondonThe New VisionUN WomenUNHCR
- Published in Human Rights, Refugee Debate
2020 National Virtual Learning Event on Child Wellbeing
Wednesday, 25 November 2020
by David Onen Ongwech
The 2020 National Virtual Learning Event on Child Wellbeing starts today 25 – 26 Nov 2020. The event is co-hosted by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and the National Child Protection Working Group (NCPWG) guided by the theme “Child wellbeing during and Post COVID-19 Context in Uganda”. I’m glad my abstract titled “Our Parents Do Not Know” Homeschooling fatigue among refugee children during COVID-19 induced lockdown was accepted.
2020 National Virtual Learning Event on Child WellbeingActivismAnthropology of DevelopmentCentre for Migration and Diaspora StudiesConflict-related sexual violenceDaily MonitorDr Chris DolanForced Migration StudiesJustice Rapid ResponseKim Thuy-SeelingerMinistry of Gender Labour and Social DevelopmentOffice of the Prime Minister-UgandaOnen David OngwechRefugee Law ProjectSOAS Refugee ForumSOAS University of LondonThe New VisionUN WomenUNHCR
- Published in Human Rights, Refugee Debate
Peacekeepers as allies in tackling sexual violence in conflict
Tuesday, 03 November 2020
by David Onen Ongwech
When peacekeepers are equipped to understand, respond to and prevent some of the dynamics that can destabilise an often fragile peace, then their value is greatly enhanced in post-conflict situations. This is particularly the case if they are able to engage pro-actively on issues of conflict-related sexual violence and its ‘post-conflict’ manifestations in the form of sexual exploitation and abuse. The report offers testimony to the value of such training endeavours, as well as to the importance of the International Protocol as a guiding document around which to organise both the content and the process.
Activismannie buntingAnthropology of DevelopmentBrandon HamberCentre for Migration and Diaspora StudiesConflict-related sexual violenceCSiWDaily MonitorDavid LisakDr Chris DolanErin BainesErin GallagherForced MigrationForced Migration StudiesGilbert NuwagiraHeleen TouquetJerker EdstromJustice Rapid ResponseKen ClearwaterKim Thuy-SeelingerLaurel FletcherNew VisionNTV UgandaOffice of the Prime Minister-UgandaOnen David OngwechRefugee ForumRefugee Law ProjectRefugeesRefugees in UgandaSOAS University of LondonThe New VisionUN WomenUNHCR
- Published in Human Rights, Sexual Violence Debate
“Hard and Unbearable”: COVID-19 Induced Challenges as told by Refugee and Host Support Group Leaders
Thursday, 06 August 2020
by David Onen Ongwech
Since the first case of COVID-19 was detected in Uganda, lives have and continue to change dramatically. With several measures and televised Presidential directives, the #StayHome mantra continues to impact lives in various ways. Refugees and host communities have not been spared – if any, the pandemic has worsened the already biting challenges and vulnerabilities.
With some vulnerable communities in ‘hard-to-reach’ places at the receiving end of the directives and its associated enforcement and curfew, many of the things happening in and around refugee-hosting areas haven’t made it to the media. Many refugees and hosts are mired in inadequately documented challenges.
While communities have not resigned themselves to the hurdles at hand and are adopting numerous creative coping mechanisms, the ways in which such resilience and positive coping mechanisms can be supported and replicated elsewhere by government, civil society, and international actors requires further exploration.
Activismannie buntingAnthropology of DevelopmentBrandon HamberCentre for Migration and Diaspora StudiesConflict-related sexual violenceDaily MonitorDr Chris DolanForced Migration StudiesHeleen TouquetJerker EdstromJustice Rapid ResponseKen ClearwaterNBS TVNTV UgandaOffice of the Prime Minister-UgandaOnen David OngwechRefugee ForumRefugee Law ProjectSOAS Refugee ForumSOAS University of LondonThe New VisionUNHCR
- Published in Refugee Debate
What if we responded to sexual violence in conflict as an existential threat? Statement for International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, 2020
Friday, 31 July 2020
by David Onen Ongwech
In the statement to mark the occasion, RLP asked the question; What if we responded to sexual violence in conflict as an existential threat? The press statement took a critical look at what the national and international response to COVID-19 has taught us thus far about our collective potential to end sexual violence in conflict. If we can mobilise the resources and will to develop a vaccine for COVID-19, if we can close airports and public transport to better control the virus, couldn’t we do the same to better control sexual violence in conflict? While COVID-19 has directly harmed our capacity to respond to survivor needs in the short term, it has also made clear that to eliminate sexual violence in conflict we need a sea change in how it is perceived. We need to see it as the existential threat it undoubtedly is, and invest time, effort and resources correspondingly.
ActivismAnthropology of DevelopmentConflict-related sexual violenceDaily MonitorDr Chris DolanErin BainesForced Migration StudiesGilbert NuwagiraHeleen TouquetJerker EdstromJustice Rapid ResponseKen ClearwaterKim Thuy-SeelingerLaurel FletcherNew VisionOffice of the Prime Minister-UgandaOnen David OngwechRefugee ForumRefugee Law ProjectRefugees in UgandaSOAS Refugee ForumSOAS University of LondonUN WomenUNHCR
The High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement should focus on addressing the causes of long-term displacements
Sunday, 15 December 2019
by David Onen Ongwech
On 23 October 2019, the UN Secretary-General announced the establishment of a High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement in an event organised to mark the 10-anniversary of the adoption of the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Africa a.k.a Kampala Convention. Herein, I argue that the yet to be composed panel should look deeply into the vulnerabilities of refugees and focus on addressing the root causes of internal displacements.
Activismannie buntingAnthropology of DevelopmentAsylum SeekersBrandon HamberCentre for Migration and Diaspora StudiesDaily MonitorDr Chris DolanForced Migration StudiesGilbert NuwagiraHeleen TouquetHigh-Level Panel on Internal DisplacementJerker EdstromJulia PurcellJustice Rapid ResponseKen ClearwaterKim Thuy-SeelingerLaurel FletcherOffice of the Prime Minister-UgandaOnen David OngwechRefugee Law ProjectSOAS Refugee ForumSOAS University of LondonThe New VisionUN WomenUNHCRWilton ParkWilton Park Conference
- Published in Forced Migration Podcasts
Uganda’s Commitment to Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Requires ‘Whole-of-Society’ Approach of Intervention
Saturday, 07 December 2019
by David Onen Ongwech
The Kingdom of the Netherlands recently (7-8 October 2019) demonstrated its commitment to improving Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) for millions of people affected by conflicts and forced displacements through the first International Conference on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Crisis held in Amsterdam. I bring to you the (audio-recorded) speech of Dr. Olaro Charles, Director of Clinical Services at the Ministry of Health who represented the Government of the Republic of Uganda at the conference.
ActivismAnthropology of DevelopmentBrandon HamberCentre for Migration and Diaspora StudiesConflict-related sexual violenceDaily MonitorDr Chris DolanErin BainesForced MigrationForced Migration StudiesHeleen TouquetJerker EdstromJustice Rapid ResponseKen ClearwaterOkot Francis OyatOnen David OngwechSOAS Refugee ForumSOAS University of LondonThe New VisionUN WomenUNHCR
- Published in Forced Migration Podcasts
‘Unless documented and shared; it didn’t happen’: Upskilling ‘First Responders’ to do so
Monday, 02 December 2019
by David Onen Ongwech
Despite tremendous technological advancements, increase in number of ‘experts’ with spectacular insights on laws and policies to make this world a better place, international community still grapple with disturbing cases and statistics of human rights abuses including conflict-related sexual violence. Consequently, the need to empower national and international practitioners on documentation and investigation has suffused among humanitarian and development actors as one of the measures of tackling impunity and guaranteeing non-repetition of human rights abuses and violations.
Activismannie buntingAnthropology of DevelopmentAsylum SeekersBrandon HamberConflict-related sexual violenceDaily MonitorDr Chris DolanJustice Rapid ResponseKingdom of the NetherlandsOnen David OngwechProject Expedite JusticeRefugee Law ProjectRefugees in UgandaSOAS University of LondonThe New VisionUN WomenUNHCRWIGJ
- Published in Sexual Violence Debate
Amateur or Organic? Re-imagining photography in forced migration work
Tuesday, 15 October 2019
by David Onen Ongwech
I have had an interesting photography journey thus far! With numerous interactions with ‘professional’ photographers, I have learnt to view the world in an entirely different way. That said, I have contributed to Refugee Law Project’s photo gallery with my ‘raw’ photos which 'professional' photographers refer to as amateur, but I brand them as ‘organic photos’ since they contain no artificial additives. For those who missed out on my photos shared via social media and/or struggle with the constant bustle and alerts of the 'new media', worry no more – the Photo Gallery on RLP’s website is up and running with carefully selected and stunning photos.
ActivismAmateurCentre for Migration and Diaspora StudiesConflict-related sexual violenceDaily MonitorDr Chris DolanNBS TVNTV UgandaOffice of the Prime Minister-UgandaOnen David OngwechOrganic photographyPhotographyRefugee ForumRefugee Law ProjectRefugees in UgandaSOAS Refugee ForumSOAS University of LondonThe New VisionUNHCRWBS TV
- Published in Refugee Debate, Sexual Violence Debate
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