12 September 2000

Bonn, Germany: An independent panel of international experts is urging the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) to increase its use of UN Volunteers following eight years of "dedicated and competent" UNV performance in crisis zones around the world.

According to the recent Report of the Panel on United Nations Peace Operations, more than 4,000 United Nations Volunteers recruited and fielded by the Bonn-based UNV programme have served in 19 different peacekeeping operations since 1992. They take up assignments in over 120 professional categories.

About 1,500 UN Volunteers have been assigned to new missions in East Timor, Kosovo and Sierra Leone in the last 18 months alone. They work in civil administration, electoral affairs, human rights and carry out administrative or support roles.

"United Nations Volunteers have historically proven to be dedicated and competent in their fields of work. The legislative bodies have encouraged greater use of United Nations Volunteers in peacekeeping operations based on their exemplary past performance," notes the panel's report (www.un.org/peace/reports/peace_operations/).

The nine experts suggested a comprehensive staffing strategy which "should address the use of United Nations Volunteers in peacekeeping operations, on a priority basis". The panel's report also recommends: extensive restructuring of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations; a new information and strategic analysis unit to service all United Nations departments concerned with peace and security; an integrated task force at Headquarters to plan and support each peacekeeping mission from its inception; and more systematic use of information technology.

The average UN Volunteer attached to a UN peacekeeping mission is 37 years old with 10 years of work experience in respective professions. These UNVs represent 135 nationalities, and 60 per cent of them come from developing countries. Some 28 per cent are women.

UN Volunteers have assisted peacekeeping missions in: Liberia, Somalia, Mozambique, South Africa, former-Yugoslavia (two missions) Guatemala, Rwanda, Haiti (three missions), Angola (two missions), Central African Republic, Iraq, East Timor (two missions), Kosovo, and most recently, Sierra Leone.