by Alexandra Haglund Petitbó

01 September 2000

Twelve UN Volunteers from 11 countries in Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America are currently serving as information assistants for visitors to the United Nations Pavilion at the World Exposition/EXPO 2000 in Hannover, Germany. The UN Volunteers provide information on the structure and on activities of the United Nations and relate their practical experiences in working with the UN, ranging from preparing Bosnian elections to promoting the rights of children in Central America. One of the UNV information assistants is Alexandra Haglund Petitbó, a Swedish and Spanish national. She was seconded from her UNV assignment with a Brazilian human rights and voluntary organization to serve at the UN Pavilion in Hannover. After settling in to her new functions, she submitted this report:

"I arrived at work at the Parana State Ombudsman's Office one morning and was told there was an urgent email for me from UNV headquarters in Bonn. The person sending the email asked about my ability to speak German, hinting that there was something going on in Germany. I wondered what I was going to be doing in Hannover, as UNVs normally take up work in developing countries. It sounded different, exciting and fun to be part of a team of 12 UNVs from all continents of the world. So I decided to join the UNV team at Expo 2000 and help represent the "human face" of the UN by explaining what type of projects we work on and what we believe in.

The first day was a very special one. We were all ready for our new assignment at the UN Pavilion, and we were also a bit nervous as we awaited the arrival of our special first visitor -German President Johannes Rau. From that day on, the Expo became our new home. Each day is different from the last, since the Expo programme is so varied and extensive. At the Expo, representatives from governments, private sector as well as non-governmental organizations (NGOs) meet every two weeks at a 'Global Dialogue Forum' to discuss concerns and solutions for a better world. Visitors at the UN Pavilion vary from middle-aged professionals to school pupils. Young people enjoy trying out touch screens with new scent technology, which allows them to sense the smell of forests, seas and oceans, right at our pavilion. The pavilion, built in the form of a shell, features audiovisual displays and interesting information relating to the three themes of Expo 2000: Humankind, Nature and Technology. Visitors learn what the UN is doing in these fields and how the UN works for them. We also tell the people that UNVs are more than 4,700 experienced professionals working in a spirit of volunteerism to help people in some 140 countries. We are proud of our work and enjoy sharing this with the visitors. People are most interested in UN activities to fight poverty, support children and youth, enhance education and carry out peacekeeping operations. We also answer questions about the exhibit and the UN in general and respond to inquiries from potential UN Volunteers.

Since my childhood I, like many of the visitors to the UN Pavilion, wanted to make this world a better place. That is what prompted me to apply to become a UNV after completing a degree in international cooperation and NGO management. The situation in Africa's Great Lakes region caused me to rethink my life and my privileged situation in Spain. I decided I should contribute something out in the field. UNV offered me a chance to revisit dreams from my childhood of a world in different colours, thoughts, languages and landscapes, whose people could live in harmony and respect. So off I went to southern Brazil for a two-year assignment with a local NGO and the Parana State Ombudsman's Office. The assignment has helped me become acquainted with indigenous communities and their hardships in a modern, fast-moving world. Much of what I have done as a UNV in Brazil mirrors what the United Nations is all about: making citizens of the world aware of needs, problems and possible solutions. The UN exists to resolve conflicts and create forums for dialogue to secure a better future for everyone."