Robert Hakiza Explained

Robert Hakiza
Citizenship:	Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Education:	Catholic University of Bukavu, Oxford University
Alma Mater:	Degree in Agriculture
Awards:	TED Fellow, Aspen Institute New Voices Fellow 2017, Obama Foundation emerging African Leader 2019
Website:	https://www.yarid.org/

Robert Hakiza is a Congolese researcher and founder of Young African Refugees for Integral Development (YARID) a community-based organization established by refugees in Uganda, operates a myriad of programs aimed at offering informal language instruction, facilitating Internet access, and providing vocational training to urban Kampala's refugee population.^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}

Early life and education

Hakiza was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo but has been living in Uganda since 2008. He holds a degree in Agriculture from the Catholic University of Bukavu. a certificate in forced migration from the International Summer School of Forced Migration of Oxford University.^[5]

Career

In 2007, Hakiza founded Young African Refugees for Integral Development (YARID) in Uganda and is currently its Executive Director.^{[6] [7]} The organization aims to offer refugees, orphans, and other displaced persons educational programs, accessible healthcare facilities, and skills training opportunities. Hakiza is also a founding member of the Refugee-Led Organizations Network and a founding and steering committee member of the Global Refugee Network (GRN) representing Sub-Saharan Africa.^{[8] [9] [10]}

YARID operates in three field offices located in Kampala, Kyaka II, and Palabek refugee settlements. Throughout 2022, the organization directly catered to over 8,000 refugees across these three field offices, focusing on improving access to education, fostering sustainable livelihoods, and ensuring refugee protection. They are consistently devoted to advocating for their rights and creating opportunities for refugees.^{[11] [12]}

Awards

He is a TED Fellow, Aspen Institute New Voices Fellow 2017, and The Obama Foundation emerging African Leader 2019.

On 23 February 2016, YARID became the first recipient of the Ockenden International Prize, an esteemed international prize that recognizes and supports projects that promote the self-reliance of refugees and displaced individuals. The prize, amounting to US$100,000 was awarded to the ‘Women’s Empowerment Project’ by Young African Refugees for Integral Development (YARID) from Kampala, Uganda.

Publications

(Loan) cycles of innovation: researching refugee-run micro-finance. Authored by Robert Hakiza and Evan Easton-Calabria published in 2016.^[13]

Notes and References

1. Web site: 2022-06-10 . NGOs eye local donors for funding . 2023-11-27 . Monitor . en.
2. Web site: Hakiza . Robert . Robert Hakiza Speaker TED . 2023-11-27 . www.ted.com . en.
3. Web site: Robert Hakiza • Aspen Global Innovators . 2023-11-27 . www.aspenglobalinnovators.org . en-US.
4. Web site: The Ted Talk Questionnaire: Robert Hakiza on Using His Story to Empower Refugees - Okayplayer . 2023-11-27 . www.okayafrica.com . en.
5. Web site: ORCID . 2023-11-27 . orcid.org.
6. Web site: 2020-04-29 . The New Humanitarian Refugee groups fill gaps in COVID-19 response, and they need support . 2023-11-27 . www.thenewhumanitarian.org . en.
7. Web site: 2021-03-08 . Effects of school closure in refugee communities . 2023-11-27 . Monitor . en.
8. Web site: Entrepreneurship and innovation by refugees in Uganda Forced Migration Review . 2023-11-27 . www.fmreview.org.
9. Web site: 2023-11-24 . Protection, inclusion of refugee rights in Uganda MORNING AT NTV . 2023-11-27 . NTV Uganda . en.
10. Web site: 2018-12-07 . Uganda stands out in refugees hospitality . 2023-11-27 . Africa Renewal . en.
11. Web site: Wanume . Elvis . 2023-06-21 . YARID: The Ladder to Learning Initiative - . 2023-11-27 . en-US.
12. Web site: Our Story . 2023-11-27 . YARID Uganda . en.
13. Web site: (Loan) cycles of innovation: researching refugee-run micro-finance . 2023-11-27 . Humanitarian Practice Network . en-GB.