14 February 2022 - How would you describe yourself in a couple of sentences? I tend to be a kind and, at the same time, professional humanitarian. I’m passionate when my career gives me the opportunity to assist people in difficult situations. I’m optimistic, approachable, and often supportive to my teammates.
Who inspires you/has inspired you? Albert Einstein and Karl Raymond Popper. They’re my heroes. I admire them and their work as they started out with a set of beliefs that was prevalent at their time. But eventually, they were brave enough to challenge even their most fundamental views. They were so creative in fact that they inspired a lot of intellectuals in other disciplines.
Do you have a motto you live by? Let me quote Einstein for this: you can’t solve a problem with the same mindset that created it.
Working for UNODC/GLO.ACT what were your first impressions? Before joining GLO.ACT, I worked in humanitarian emergencies which is a very fast-paced environment, which requires you to improvise a lot. At UNODC, the culture was totally different. I had different work habits but soon got used to the working style at UNODC. I love the fact that we often had time to think, consult with others, plan, and make better informed decisions. Reflecting, I really appreciate that one has the opportunity to think before having to act. And of course, I can’t help but to appreciate that within our team, the support is always there if you need it.
What are your main takeaways from your time with UNODC/GLO.ACT?
Working on countering Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling under GLO.ACT what do you perceive to be most valuable? Under GLO.ACT, when you do something, you have the feeling it'll eventually help people most at risk of exploitation and harm. It's a good feeling and a motivator.
What’s next for Sassan? I'm going to work with UNICEF Iran as a National Emergency Response officer. My role will include responding to natural disasters and population movement. In my new role, I'm tasked with helping children in emergencies. And I firmly believe that ensuring the well-being of the most vulnerable is an investment in our societies. On a personal level, I'm trying to develop myself into more strategic and decision-making roles. I hope to be an international professional within the UN family someday. That would be my dream.
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This project is funded by the European Union
The Global Action against Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants – Asia and the Middle East (GLO.ACT-Asia and the Middle East) is a four-year (2018-2022), €12 million joint initiative by the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) being implemented in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in up to five countries: Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (Afghanistan), Islamic Republic of Iran (I.R. of Iran), Republic of Iraq (Iraq), Islamic Republic of Pakistan (Pakistan). GLO.ACT-Bangladesh is a parallel initiative also financed by the EU and implemented with IOM.
The project builds on a global community of practice set in motion in GLO.ACT 2015-2019 and assists governmental authorities and civil society organizations in targeted, innovative, and demand-driven interventions: sustaining effective strategy and policy development, legislative review and harmonization, capability development, and regional and trans-regional cooperation. The project also provides direct assistance to victims of human trafficking and vulnerable migrants through the strengthening of identification, referral, and protection mechanisms. The project is fully committed to mainstreaming Human Rights and Gender Equality considerations across all of its activities.
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