by Outi Kristiina Karppinen

03 September 2000

Guatemala City: Three years ago, Oskar Mejía, a Swedish sociologist and teacher, left his home country to become one of 13 "UN Peace Promoters" in Guatemala. Confronted with conditions of extreme poverty, racism and social and political marginalization of the population, the UNV of Salvadorean origin soon realized that lasting peace in Guatemala was still a long way down the road.

The "Peace Promoters" project is financed by the Swedish Government and implemented by the United Nations Volunteer programme (UNV). It aims to fight conditions of poverty and social exclusion through increased social participation. "The project creates new opportunities to effectively and concretely support the peace process in communities that have been victim to armed confrontations in the past," Oscar explains. In this context, the Movement for Sustainable Regional, Human and Ecological Development, known as "Tzukim-Pop" (MTP), was formed in 1994. Through its 14 member organizations, the movement lends concrete support to the communities affected by the armed conflict. A good example is the work of the organization "Pies del Occidente" in Guatemala's Western Plateau. It aims to increase the awareness of the rural and mainly indigenous population in terms of basic health care. Together with traditional midwives and healers, UN Volunteers develop needs-oriented health care modules comprising both indigenous and Western health practices.

Oscar's flatmate Guillermo Pantoja, a 35-year-old UN Volunteer from Mexico, works to improve technical capacities of MTP's different member organizations. He is responsible for the areas of project management and planning as well as communication and administrative issues. To Guillermo, the most fascinating aspect of the project lies in the common interest of all volunteers to contribute to the re-establishment of peace in the country.

National UNV Eddy Cupil, a promoter of human and indigenous rights, notes the "exceptional extent to which the UN Volunteers are accepted by the organizations and the trust that exists among them". He adds that "the exchange of ideas and skills among Swedish and national Volunteers not merely enriches the organizations' knowledge and quality but also promotes and facilitates the construction of a lasting culture of peace and solidarity that goes beyond borders". Next year Eddy plans to go to Sweden where he intends to continue his studies in international law.

Forum Syd, a Swedish umbrella association grouping 138 development NGOs, is in charge of the recruitment of Swedish volunteers for the different projects. Representative Roger Brandin is satisfied with the project as it has created new and effective ways of cooperation. "The project allows for Swedish society, along with Guatemalan civil society organizations, to contribute directly to the peace process in Guatemala through the United Nations," Roger explains. He points out that last year's project evaluation recorded successful results in 72 per cent of all assessed volunteer locations: "What other project can demonstrate such high-impact results?"