Photo by Ben Dwork for RET Global Communications, © RET International

This month marks RET’s 25th anniversary and a powerful close to the year. Here’s what’s happening across our global community 👇 This newsletter is 793 words or about 3 minutes to read.   

📸 This month’s cover photo comes from Ituri, D.R. Congo: Love participated in RET Germany’s BMZ-funded program to promote food security and peace in a region that’s been subjected to decades of violence.  

• Surviving unspeakable tragedy, Love told us that the project gave her purpose: She was able to rent a new home and proudly showed us her garden that provides enough for her family to eat – and surplus to sell.  

It’s one of the many ways we promote self-sufficiency through education and protection. 

In this edition: 

1.  #16DaysOfActivism 
2. Human Rights Day and RET’s 25th anniversary 
3. Giving Tuesday – Are you in? 
4. A major new D.R. Congo initiative 
5. A global award win

To receive this newsletter to your inbox, click here to join our mailing list.

1. 🧡 Standing Together to #EndGBV 

On November 25, our global teams have mobilized across Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe for the start of our global #16DaysOfActivism campaign – raising awareness, hosting workshops, and creating space for women, girls, and youth to speak out against gender-based violence (GBV).  

Events are highlighting local leadership, prevention, and survivor-centered support, while our digital campaign is amplifying stories and work from Mauritania, Panama, Ecuador, Lebanon, and Türkiye – among others.  

📌 Why it matters: GBV remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations worldwide. Our work this month reaffirms our commitment to safety, dignity, and equality for all. 

The campaign runs through December 10 (more on this below), and you can support it by liking, sharing, and commenting on our posts across social media:  

• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• X (formerly Twitter)
• YouTube

👉 Learn more about this important campaign by clicking here. 

2. 🌍 Human Rights Day & 25 Years of RET 

This December 10, we celebrate Human Rights Day and RET’s 25th anniversary – a moment to honor the communities we’ve stood with since 2000, and to reflect on the humanitarian vision of our founder, Mrs. Sadako Ogata.  

For 25 years, we have worked to protect rights, expand education, and strengthen resilience for refugees, displaced communities, and vulnerable youth. 

Our anniversary highlights the core idea that shapes everything we do: “Education should be a promise, not a dream.” Our role is to help rebuild opportunity, restore dignity, and support long-term solutions. 

👉 Explore our 25-year journey by clicking here. 
👉 Learn about Sadako Ogata’s legacy here.

3. 🎁 Giving Tuesday is December 2 – Are you in? 

Giving Tuesday reminds us that global impact begins with individual action. We work every day in complex environments to improve access to education, safety, livelihoods, and protection for women, youth, and displaced families.  

Your participation on this day – whether through donations, employer matching, or spreading the word – directly supports ongoing programs across the world and benefits millions of people. 

📌 Why it matters: As humanitarian needs rise, flexible funding helps us respond faster, scale successful programs, and invest in innovation and resilience. 

• There’s many ways to help: You can name us a recipient through a Donor-Advised Fund or double – or even triple – your donation through corporate matching programs. 

• We earned a 2025 Candid Gold Seal of Transparency: Learn more by visiting our profile. 

💡 Did you know? For our U.S. supporters, we’re registered as 501(c)(3), and your donation may be tax-deductible.   

👉 Support us by clicking here.

4. New Project in D.R. Congo 🇨🇩 Rebuilding Futures for Girls Affected by Conflict 

RET Germany launched a new initiative in eastern D.R. Congo to support adolescent girls and young women demobilizing from armed groups. The program, generously funded by the German Federal Foreign Office, combines psychosocial support, education, life skills, and livelihood pathways to help participants stabilize, reintegrate, and rebuild their futures. 

The project also reinforces protection systems in communities affected by insecurity, strengthens support networks, and provides safe spaces for girls transitioning out of cycles of violence. It represents a long-term investment in peace, dignity, and recovery. 

👉 Read the full story by clicking here.

5. 🏆 RET Wins Zendesk Foundation Impact Award 

RET International has been recognized as an Impact Award winner in Zendesk Foundation’s Tech for Good program, celebrating organizations using technology to improve lives. The award highlights our commitment to digital inclusion and innovative tools that strengthen educational opportunities, protection mechanisms, and community resilience. 

Zendesk’s support will help RET amplify its digital capabilities across programs, enhancing how we gather insights, connect with youth, and build scalable, tech-driven solutions in displacement-affected communities. 

👉 Read the announcement by clicking here.

✨ Thank you for being part of RET’s mission — this month and for the past 25 years. Let’s continue building a world where every person has the chance to learn, grow, and lead. 

Until next month,

RET International HQ

Help spread the word! If you’ve found our newsletter through a link, subscribe today to receive news even sooner.

---