19 September 2008

Dili, Timor-Leste: After working as a journalist for a daily newspaper covering an array of issues, I gained an interest in development and humanitarian affairs. As such, I traveled to conflict affected countries and realized I wanted to combine my journalistic skills with more hands-on development issues. I felt that with all the political instability and human suffering taking place around the globe, I just had to get involved - I didn't have a choice.

And so I began to gain academic and professional experience in human rights and conflict resolution. Before my UNV assignment in Timor-Leste, I worked for the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, mainly involved in analytical activities linked to social development and crisis prevention.

My responsibilities include: providing advice on policies and legislations; conducting monitoring activities on economic, social and cultural rights, particularly the right to food; and facilitating training on the Human Rights Based Approach (HRBA) to programming, as well as engaging in advocacy work.

A 'typical' day could include monitoring an Internally Displaced Person (IDP) return process, providing comments to an inter-agency food security initiative, and planning a training workshop in one of the regions.

As a human rights officer, I assist the Human Rights Unit in achieving the mission’s mandate through rigorous monitoring and reporting of economic, social and cultural rights, an area within the human rights field which is increasingly gaining recognition. Our team aims to assist the Government in fulfilling its obligation in this area.

The Government of Timor-Leste has ratified the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights, and as such has the obligation to ensure that everyone can enjoy the rights listed in the national laws and international treaties, including (among others) the right to food, the right to housing, and the right to health.
    
I came to Timor-Leste as a UNV volunteer because I wanted to make a contribution. I wanted to be exposed to critical development issues on a day-to-day basis and gain valuable work experience which could in turn prepare me for future challenges. To date, I can say I have accomplished all of these!