Grow food crops or plant trees? The binary dilemma of sustainable forest production and consumption

International_Day_of_Forest_www.onendavid.com
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!
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Peacekeepers as allies in tackling sexual violence in conflict

Peacekeepers as allies in tackling sexual violence in conflict
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.
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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

Participant showing his message3
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.
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‘Unless documented and shared; it didn’t happen’: Upskilling ‘First Responders’ to do so

Training-on-Documentation
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.
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In support of the Civil Society Declaration on Sexual Violence

Civil Society Declaration on Sexual Violence 2019
After several years of work on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV), this declaration is a demonstration that through rigorous advocacy, we can collectively realise progressive transformation towards better support for survivors/victims and gender inclusivity. However, herculean hurdles lie ahead of the journeys toward realising contexts where all survivors can access and uptake services without discrimination, and where survivors/victims are not only beneficiaries of services but also active partners in response to and prevention of sexual violence.
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Amateur or Organic? Re-imagining photography in forced migration work

Police Band in action during the march
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.
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Perspectives of urban refugee children on humanitarian actions in Kampala

Children's Perspectives on Humanitarian Intervention in Kampala
This briefing paper follows RLP's participation in the commemoration of the Day of the African Child (June 19) under the theme "Humanitarian Action in Africa: Children's Rights First" during which we organised two roundtable discussions - one with children and the other with adults caretakers to discuss key issues related to the theme of the day.
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Towards the ‘Whole of Society’ Approach of Refugee Management in Uganda: 2018 Reflections & Recommendations

The presentation draws on lessons learnt during the course of last years’ engagements with refugees and host communities in northern Uganda. Specifically, lessons learnt from RLP’s successful implementation of a project generously funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Uganda titled “Securing Refugee-host Relations in northern Uganda through Enhanced Protection”.
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When your work speaks for you: An anecdote of a weekend well spent

Hits: 86 Download PDF Version After a traumatic experience with two dentists who had conflicting recommendations for a procedure I’m supposed to undergo – for which I’m yet to seek a third opinion, I decided to reflect on the week in style. It was a Saturday evening after a small get together with colleagues in
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‘Putting People First’ Requires Bold & Inclusive Actions

This year 2018, under the theme 'Putting People First', the UNHCR Consultation with NGOs took place from 27 - 29 June 2018 at the International Conference Centre Geneva (ICCG). Indeed honoured to have been invited, and to have represented Refugee Law Project in this very important international event.
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