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  Perspectives on peacekeeping - September 2008    
The International Day of Peace is celebrated on 21 September each year. UN Volunteers bring expertise to UN peacekeeping missions from around the world, and many of them have lived through war and civil strife themselves. They thus have significant experience to share and the empathy they can bring is one reason why their contribution is so necessary and so highly valued.

UN Volunteers serve in more than 200 different job functions, from Human Rights Officers to Water Sanitation Engineers; from Information Technology Assistants to Staff Counsellors. Read on below to meet some of the thousands of UN Volunteers supporting human rights and peacekeeping missions worldwide.

Emmanuel Bryma Momoh from Sierra Leone is a UNV volunteer Human Rights Officer with UNMIL in Liberia. (UNV)
Emmanuel Bryma Momoh, Sierra Leone, Human Rights Officer, UNMIL
01 October 2008
Grand Gedeh County, Liberia: Women continue to face insecurity occasioned by rape, domestic violence and other forms of physical abuse. Very few cases are properly prosecuted... This leads to impunity and perpetrates a vicious cycle of violence against women. I am helping them to break out of it. Read
More about: Gender  Human rights  Peace & conflict resolution
Countries:  Liberia  Sierra Leone
UNV volunteer Mileydi Guilarte (left) from the USA works as a Human Rights Officer for UNMIT in Timor-Leste. "I just had to get involved - I didn't have a choice," she says. (UNV)
Mileydi Guilarte, USA, Human Rights Officer, UNMIT
19 September 2008
Dili, Timor-Leste: I provide advice on policies and legislations; conduct monitoring activities on economic, social and cultural rights, particularly the right to food; and facilitate training on the Human Rights Based Approach (HRBA) to programming, as well as my advocacy work. Read
More about: Human rights  Peace & conflict resolution
UNV volunteer Ann Nyambura Kithaka from Kenya is a Judicial Systems Monitor for UNMIL in Liberia. "I spend most of my working time traversing the two counties of Grand Gedeh and River Gee to gather information and data, to monitor cases, and to give legal guidance," she says
Ann Nyambura Kithaka, Kenya, Judicial Systems Monitor, UNMIL
19 September 2008
Monrovia, Liberia: In River Gee the prison facility is managed by volunteers. I always try to identify myself with them, to appreciate and recognize their contribution. I also caution them to always use their skills and time to bring positive change within their communities. Read
More about: Governance  Peace & conflict resolution
Countries:  Kenya  Liberia
UNV volunteer Claire Whelan from Norway is a Political Affairs Officer for UNMIK in Kosovo. "I am in the middle of the making of international politics," she says. (UNV)
Claire Whelan, Norway, Political Affairs Officer, UNMIK
19 September 2008
Pristina, Kosovo: I am in the middle of the making of international politics... Working within the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General gives you a unique chance to contribute in the making of international affairs. Read
More about: Governance  Peace & conflict resolution
Countries:  Kosovo  Norway
UNV volunteer Eliana Rueda (centre, in blue) from Colombia is a Civil Affairs Officer for MINURCAT in Chad. Her work is "an opportunity, a challenge and a constant learning experience, both personally and professionally," she says. (UNV)
Eliana Rueda, Colombia, Civil Affairs Officer, MINURCAT
19 September 2008
N'Djamena, Chad: Whenever refugees, IDPs, host communities, or local or traditional authorities have the opportunity to express their thoughts, needs, desires or expectations, we open a window of opportunity that can be crystallized through serious, hard work. Read
More about: Peace & conflict resolution
Countries:  Chad  Colombia
Other languages: en español  
UNV volunteer Lubna Abdalla Lasu from Sudan works as a Civil Affairs Officer for UNMIS. (UNV)
Lubna Abdalla Lasu, Sudan, Civil Affairs Officer, UNMIS
19 September 2008
Juba, Sudan: As a Civil Affairs Officer working  in the field, I am most involved in peace building work. Many of the communities in this area are engaged in conflicts over cattle rustling and grazing lands... Read
More about: Peace & conflict resolution
Countries:  Sudan
UNMIL's Aviation Section: "Providing timely uninterrupted aviation service that is safe, effective and reliable." (UNV)
Samuel Ebo Baiden, Ghana, Air Operations Centre Duty Officer, UNMIL
18 September 2008
Spriggs-Payne Airfield, Monrovia, Liberia: I chose to be a volunteer because the only way to close the gap is through volunteerism. Read
More about: Peace & conflict resolution
Countries:  Ghana  Liberia
Theophilus Obie Andrew (right) from Liberia is a Logistics Assistant with MINURCAT in Chad. "Every day that passes by leaves me with the conviction that someone is being helped, saved or blessed," he says. (UNV)
Theophilus Obie Andrew, Liberia, Logistics Assistant, MINURCAT
18 September 2008
Abéché, Chad: As a UNV volunteer 'Log' Assistant, I manage logistic functions including supply, transport, movement, etc. I remain conscious of all logistics needs and equipment maintenance in each location inside the Area of Responsibility (AOR)... Read
More about: Peace & conflict resolution
Countries:  Chad  Liberia
Jordanian peacekeepers with ONUCI in Côte d’Ivoire receive mandatory Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse training. (UNV)
Pierre Millimouno, Guinea, Training Officer, ONUCI
18 September 2008
Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire : As a UNV volunteer Training Officer for the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (ONUCI), I design, develop, coordinate and evaluate training and development courses and workshops for staff to meet mission and staff needs. Read
More about: Peace & conflict resolution
Countries:  Côte d'Ivoire  Guinea
UNV volunteer Rex Castro Jr. from The Philippines brings years of experience to his role as a Software Developer for BINUB in Burundi. (UNV)
Rex Castro Jr., The Philippines, Software Developer, BINUB
18 September 2008
Bujumbura, Burundi: My short stint as UNV volunteer is probably my way to identify the areas where I could be a key player. 'Key player' does not mean the mission will depend on you all along; instead it just means putting something on the table. I just want to contribute but not to be celebrated as the hero – heroes are just in stories anyways. Read
More about: Peace & conflict resolution
Countries:  Burundi  Philippines

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