Advocacy
Advocating for the rights and well-being of refugees and host communities — influencing evidence-based policies for children, youth and families.
Our Advocacy Approach
NORRU strongly advocates for the use of research findings to influence evidence-based policies and best practices. Our mission is to advance the well-being and rights of refugees (children, youth, and their families) and host communities in Uganda through dedicated research and advocacy for ethical practices.
We aim to influence evidence-based policies, enhance research capabilities, and provide unwavering support to refugees, hosts and the research community.
Key Advocacy Areas
Based on the challenges faced by both refugee and host communities, our advocacy efforts focus on:
Access to Basic Services
Improving access to healthcare, education, clean water, and sanitation for all refugees and host communities.
Living Conditions
Addressing overcrowded living conditions and inadequate infrastructure in settlements.
Food Security & Nutrition
Combating food insecurity and malnutrition among refugee populations.
Economic Opportunities
Promoting employment opportunities and pathways to economic self-reliance.
Psychosocial Support
Providing crucial psychosocial support for trauma due to displacement and violence.
Legal Status & Documentation
Advocating for better legal status and documentation to improve mobility and access to services.
Gender-Based Violence
Preventing and responding effectively to gender-based violence within refugee and host communities.
Child Protection
Strengthening child protection mechanisms against exploitation and forced labour.
Quality Education
Ensuring access to quality education for both refugee and host community children and youth.
Healthcare Systems
Supporting and advocating for strained healthcare systems in refugee-hosting areas.
Host Community Relations
Mediating land disputes and fostering positive relations with host communities.
Environmental Protection
Addressing environmental degradation in refugee settlements and host communities.
Security & Protection
Enhancing security and protection from localized violence.
Social Integration
Facilitating social and cultural integration for displaced populations.
Information Access
Improving access to timely and accurate information to combat isolation and misinformation.
Decolonizing Research for Policy Impact
As a refugee-led organisation, NORRU is committed to decolonizing research by challenging the traditional top-down model of knowledge production. We believe that “research about us, without us, is not for us.” By leading our own research and using evidence to influence policy, NORRU champions an inclusive, justice-driven approach that centres the voices of marginalised populations.
Engaging with Policy Makers
NORRU serves as a bridge between researchers, refugee communities, host communities, humanitarian actors, and policy makers. We advocate for Africa-led, refugee-led research models that reflect the realities of displaced populations.