My vision for a world without barriers

Nadina Imamović is a UN Volunteer Programme Associate with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where she brings both personal insight and professional strength to promote disability rights. Her journey began long before her current role. In high school, she joined the U.S. Department’s Youth Exchange and Study programme, spending ten months in Ohio and earning recognition as Student of the Month. That was the beginning of her social activism and what she calls her "power of giving back.” 

Nadina has two degrees in social work from the University of Sarajevo. Through student exchanges, she connected with people from all walks of life, especially persons with disabilities—learning firsthand about their needs and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Those friendships still support her today.

Having low vision, she knows that inclusion isn't just about access—it's about being seen, heard, and empowered. And that's why her UN Volunteer role is an avenue for her to highlight the voices of persons with disabilities. She supports the UNDP Inclusion Strategy, sharing real-life experiences with the UN Country Team, and working with disability organizations and civil society.

Becoming a UN Volunteer is deeply meaningful to me. It has allowed me to contribute to an organization that protects human rights, grow both personally and professionally, and support my own community in a way that promotes dignity and aligns with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Outside the UN system, persons with disabilities in Bosnia and Herzegovina face widespread segregation in all aspects of life, including employment. According to the Disability and Poverty in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as of 2017, more than 350,000 individuals with disabilities of the 569,000 registered themselves as unemployed. They remain highly marginalized, often facing stigma and exclusion from the labour market, which in turn limits their access to healthcare, housing, education, and more.

Persons with disabilities are often employed only in special schools, sheltered workshops, or disability associations. This limits opportunities to build connections, friendships, and collaborations with people without disabilities.

Nadina wants to be part of real change—a world without barriers, a society that's inclusive not only in theory, but in practice. For her, volunteerism is a powerful tool for inclusion—especially when many volunteers are involved across different areas. “This can be done not only through UNV but also through many support services. One example is the global support service Be My Eyes, where volunteers use a mobile app to provide support in everyday activities,” says Nadina.  

I believe the UN is an organization that offers exceptional opportunities and support for us to become the best versions of ourselves and to make a significant contribution to the societies we live in. Collective action is extremely important. Only through joint efforts and activism can we create a society where everyone is included, satisfied, and happy.

Originally published on unv.org.