Page 38 - 80 YEARS OF VOLUNTEER IMPACT WITH FAO

Climate resilience Adaptation in action: Responding to climate change

Barbora Chmelova

MAKING CLIMATE COLLABORATION WORK

THROUGH VOLUNTEERISM

As an international UN Volunteer in Agricultural Economics, I served with
the FAO office in Hanoi starting in April 2017. My work focused on improving
rural livelihoods and food security, as well as supporting efforts to adapt
and mitigate climate change.

One of my main roles was supporting the UN Result Group on Climate
Change. I helped organize and facilitate meetings, kept communication
34 flowing among group members and prepared materials to support their
work. This was part of a wider effort to improve how UN agencies work
together in Viet Nam and around the world.

While most of my work took place in the office, I also joined monitoring
visits across different provinces and represented FAO at national workshops
and events. I believe there is great potential to involve more national UN
Volunteers in FAO’s work, especially in disaster preparedness, climate Barbora Chmelova was a UN Volunteer in Agricultural Economics with
awareness, and outreach in rural communities. FAO in Viet Nam. She shared her experience at a learning session for UN
Volunteers and national volunteers about community-based projects and
Every day at the UN helped me grow, both professionally and personally. volunteer mobilization in Czechia. [UNV, 2017]
I truly appreciated working with experienced colleagues, learning from
experts and connecting with national and international volunteers.
Sharing knowledge and perspectives with diverse teams has shaped my
path in agriculture, sustainable development and volunteerism for peace.

“FAO and UNV brought a perfect balance to my

work life. I find it unique to have the opportunity
to combine in my work two areas which I am truly
passionate about—agriculture, climate change and

sustainable development, along with volunteerism.”