By Jordyn Bain
There are many stakeholders involved in the issue I am exploring. Ukrainian refugees are the most direct stakeholders. Their daily lives and futures are directly shaped by the resources offered to them by these local NGOs. Local NGOs are also direct stakeholders, as they provide services ranging from legal aid to housing and psychosocial support. Furthermore, International aid organizations and donors influence the availability of resources through funding and policy recommendations.
Some indirect stakeholders include Czech citizens, especially those living in areas with large refugee populations, whose attitudes may influence public support or opposition to refugee aid. EU governing bodies, which shape regional refugee policy and funding frameworks. Furthermore, there are volunteers and advocacy groups, who provide supplementary support and advocate for policy change.
My connection to this issue stems from both academic and personal motivations. As a student of international affairs and economics, I’ve studied the systemic causes and responses to humanitarian crises, and I’m particularly drawn to how policy and community-based responses intersect. Assumptions I’m actively challenging include the belief that all NGOs are well-resourced or universally effective. My early interactions with NGO representatives have made clear that these organizations maintain a deep connection to this issue and a desire to spread their message.
My connection to this issue stems from both academic and personal motivations. As a student of international affairs and economics, I’ve studied the systemic causes and responses to humanitarian crises. Assumptions I’m actively challenging include the belief that all NGOs are well-resourced or universally effective. My early interactions with NGO representatives have made clear that even the most prominent organizations face limitations tied to funding, staff capacity, and public support. I bring a deep respect for grassroots efforts, but also a desire to critically analyze their efficacy and raise awareness of how individuals can contribute to their cause.
The existing research I’ve reviewed highlights the institutional and organizational perspectives—how NGOs are structured, their funding challenges, and how they frame their mission. Academic work tends to focus on macro-level trends or policy critiques, with less attention paid to refugees’ first-hand perspectives and day-to-day challenges faced by frontline workers in NGOs. In my research, I hope to elevate the views of the voices of Ukrainian refugees, and investigate the day-to-day challenges experienced by NGOs on the local level.
The perspective I hope to bring is a human-centered view that uplifts refugee voices while also critically analyzing the operational constraints NGOs face. I aim to bridge academic research with lived experience, something I believe is essential for developing realistic policy recommendations. I see myself most closely related to “the advocate.” Growing up in the generation of social media I have seen the power of awareness. By raising awareness regarding the challenges Ukrainian refugees face and the necessities of the NGOs helping them we can motivate people to contribute their time, talents, and assets to make a real change in the community. I hope to lend myself to this issue not only in a physical capacity. Through my research I hope to reach a larger audience and direct hearts and minds to this very real issue.
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