Billy Batware is from Rwanda, where he lived through the civil war and the genocide until he was 13 years old in July 1994. Having experienced violent conflict and its consequences first-hand, he fled to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), then Zaire, where he lived as a refugee. In a DRC refugee camp, Billy volunteered for the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and met aid workers who supported him and other refugees. This was a life-changing experience that marked the beginning of what would be Billy’s peacebuilding work. In the refugee camp, he helped UNHCR in providing needed support for himself and other refugees in the camp. In doing so, he witnessed acts of humanity and found a purpose that helped him to cope with the experience of the conflict and the difficult environment he was living in. 

His first-hand experience inspired him to found iSCAN in 2018. School and education were refuge for Billy throughout his journey as a refugee in different countries. Billy is also the Founder of the United for Education and Sustainable Futures, whose flagship project is Youth Education Ambassadors, and Co-Founder of the Regional Academy on The United Nations. Billy is a visiting lecturer on international conflicts and development, a certified trainer in international security, and a certified leadership and systemic coach. Billy has a BA in Diplomatic Studies and a MA in International Security Studies. In his spare time, Billy works to educate and empower young people. Currently, Billy is a Programme Officer at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).