First Person

Blessing Ojukwu is now a chef.
UNDP Nigeria

First Person: Learning a recipe for freedom in Nigeria

31 May 2021
Women

When Nigerian Blessing Ojukwu became pregnant after she was raped, her family disowned her. She was forced to live with her abuser, who continued to attack her. Now, a UN-backed initiative is giving her, and others in similar situations, a chance to become financially independent, and start new lives. 

Sacha Dench prepares to follow Bewick’s swans on their annual migration in 2016.
Angharad Barlow

First Person: The ‘Human Swan’ inspiring climate action

30 May 2021
Climate and Environment

Australian biologist Sacha Dench has been nicknamed “the Human Swan”, in recognition of her record-breaking, 7,000 kilometre, paramotor (motorized paraglider) flight, tracking Bewick swans across 11 countries, from Arctic Russian to the UK. Ahead of International Day for Biological Diversity, Ms. Dench explains why a drastic shift is needed in the global economy, to save endangered wildlife.

British Army driver and UN peacekeeper, Trooper Jack Drake pilots a Jackal 2 vehicle on patrol in the Gao region of Mali.
Crown copyright 2021

First Person: British UN peacekeeper stays on ‘A-game’ to keep Malians safe

23 May 2021
Peace and Security

A young soldier from the United Kingdom says he must stay on his “A-game” on patrol with the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali, to keep himself, colleagues and Malians safe in one of the most dangerous UN postings anywhere in the world. 

A beehive in Domino Park in Brooklyn, New York City.
Hazel Plunkett

First Person: Gardening is ‘political’ says Irish celebrity horticulturist

16 May 2021
Climate and Environment

For Diarmuid Gavin, a renowned Irish gardener and TV personality, horticulture has a role to play in all contemporary affairs, from the Black Lives Matter Movement to the ongoing pandemic, because “everything is connected, and everything is political”.