Volunteering for Peace and Development

Regional Newsletter no. 1, October 2013

UNV East Asia & Pacific

In this issue:
We have the privilege to share with you the first issue of UNV East Asia and Pacific portfolio newsletter. This document is a recognition of the way UN Volunteers contribute to peace and development. Volunteerism has an important role to play in harnessing the potential of people. Every year, the UNV Field Units manage hundreds of UN Volunteer assignments in East Asia and Pacific. UN Volunteers work with UN partners, governments and civil society organizations, enabling them to deliver on their mandates. In this issue you will find some good examples of UN Volunteers contribution to achieving the Millennium Development Goals, e.g., cleaning of landmines in Cambodia; road safety in China; sustainable food production in Micronesia; sex education in Indonesia; advocating against gender-based violence in Lao and Mongolia; LGBT rights in the Philippines; promoting literacy in Papua New Guinea; refugee protection in Thailand; youth empowerment in Timor-Leste; and biodiversity protection in Viet Nam. East Asia & Pacific Portfolio Team

I volunteer for

Biodiversity

I volunteer for

Gender equality

I volunteer for

Environment

UN Volunteers in East Asia & Pacific

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development, and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers. In most cultures volunteerism is deeply embedded in long-established, ancient traditions of sharing and support within the communities. In this context, UN Volunteers take part in various forms of volunteerism and play a role in development and peace together with co-workers, host agencies and local communities. In all assignments, UN Volunteers promote volunteerism through their actions and conduct. Engaging in volunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and social realities, as well as create a bridge between themselves and the people in their host community. This makes the time they spend as UN Volunteers even more rewarding and productive. The East Asia and Pacific Portfolio covers 27 countries across the region: Cambodia, China, Cook Islands, Fiji, Indonesia, Kiribati, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru, Niue, DPR of Korea, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Viet Nam. 19 out of these 27 countries are active (i.e. with UN Volunteers). The Portfolio oversees its countries and programmes through Field Units, which have a combination of a UNV Programme Officer supported by a Programme Assistant, or, in some active countries, a UNV Focal Point.

Why UN Volunteers matter In 2012:

6,807 UN Volunteers and 6,912 UNV
assignments:

4,929 International (36% 64% men) 1,878

men)

women,

National (47% women,

53%

39% women, 61% men 127 countries of assignment 159 nationalities 81% from developing countries, thereby

The UNV Field Units, support international and national UN Volunteers in their respective countries and some ongoing development projects, in the following focus areas and social inclusion pillars: Delivery of Basic Services, including:

Primary health care and HIV/AIDS Non-formal education

making UNV a very large contributor to Triangular South-South Cooperation and capacity building.

Strengthening local governance; Environment and Climate Change, including:

Average age:

38 with relevant work experience 11,037

5-10

years

Online Volunteers/16,196

Access to renewable and efficient energy and climate change mitigation Food security and climate change adaptation Natural resource management and biodiversity conservation

assignments 62% of these volunteers were from the South.

In East Asia and Pacific the UN Volunteers

Crisis Prevention and Recovery, including:

Disaster prevention and risk reduction Recovery, including livelihoods initiatives Conflict prevention and post-conflict recovery

32 different entities including UN agencies, governments and NGOs.

worked for

UN Volunteers Specialists contribute with

their professional

experience

Humanitarian Assistance; Operational and Capacity Building Support to UN Missions; Youth, Women and other Marginalized Communities.

and knowledge to the achievement of

Millennium Development Goals and human development in

East Asia and Pacific.

UNV Field Units in East Asia and Pacific

UNV Mongolia
Programme Officer: Hyun Jee

UNV Viet Nam UNV China

Programme Officer: Eirene Chen Programme Assistant: Zhang Xiaodan Programme Officer: Patricia English Programme Assistant: Tran Thi Kim

UNV Lao
Programme Officer: Carla del Castillo Programme Assistant: Khamkhoune

Chung
UNV University Student Volunteer:

Takahiro Ogawa

Xayalath

UNV Cambodia
Programme Officer: Isabelle Devylder Programme Assistant: Markara Nuon Communications, Youth & Outreach:

Veronika Jemelikova
UNV University Student Volunteer:

Shuji Sekine

UNV MCO Samoa

Programme Officer: Jasmine Subasat

UNV Thailand
Programme Assistant: Warunsiri Manaviboon

UNV Indonesia
Programme Officer: Wendy Shapiro Programme Assistant: Grace Panjaitan Volunteering and Post 2015 National Officer: Ika Rini Indrawati

UNV MCO Fiji UNV Philippines UNV Timor Leste

Programme Officer: Katerina Manova Programme Assistant: Delfina Ferreira National coordinator for MDG/Post 2015: Teodosia Fernandes Programme Officer: Soojin Chen Programme Assistant: Kenneth Pinili UNV Youth Intern: Stefanie Ladewig Programme Officer: Lioba Van Dam Programme Assistant: Alesi Ali UNV University Student Volunteer:

Chiharu Ogawa

UNV Focal points in Asia and Pacific

Portfolio Team
Democratic People's Republic of Korea :
Nasantuya Chuluun Sol Hyang Kwak

Myanmar:
Nyi Nyi Aung Khin Thuzar Win

Malaysia:
Anita Ahmad Lum Sau Fong

Portfolio Manager: Rafael Martinez Portfolio Associate: Beryl Mackey Portfolio Associate: Sovannaroth Diep

Beyond the possible: Cambodia free of landmines

Cambodia is one of the most heavily contaminated countries in the world by landmines and ERW with some 1,800 square kilometers of known affected areas. Over 64.160 casualties recorded over the period of 1979 2012 were caused by these legacies of decades of conflict. In order to stress the importance of the issue in 2003 Demining, UXO (unexploded ordnance) and victim assistance became the 9th Millennium Development Goal for Cambodia.

After two years of work with UNDP on disarmament-related issues in Geneva, Switzerland, Esteban Olhagaray joined UN Volunteers and decided to come to Cambodia to work on the mine action project Clearing for Results. When I received the offer from UNDP in Cambodia to work on the landmine clearance project, I didnt think about it twice, says Esteban, who is now embedded as an advisor to the government in the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA).
Esteban Olhagaray (left) presenting on a conference on the mine action.

avoiding accidents and casualties. But in Cambodia the landmine clearance has definitely also had a great impact on agriculture and therefore helps to alleviate hunger and poverty, explains Esteban.

Cooperation with locals saves lives

Over 800 square kilometers have been cleared from landmines since 1992, but there is currently over 1,800 km of suspected mined areas. Cambodia, from what we know now, has one of the biggest landmine and ERW contamination in the world. But the progress in reducing casualties is very impressive: The number of casualties per year dropped from 4 320 in 1996 to 186 in 2012, says Esteban and adds that increasing safety of people relies on local knowledge. Here in Cambodia communities are well settled and are aware of their surroundings. Everybody knows where there was an accident and what happened. Local people are very accurate in their threat assessments and knowledge on casualties, disabled people, injuries, contamination and they know more than anybody. Its amazing. We rely a lot on them for gathering information. That is also a reason why often landmine clearance organizations hire people from communities, where they conduct the clearance, says Esteban.

The Clearing for Results project aims to support the national authority to coordinate, regulate and monitor the mine action sector. In my work, I deal with various issues. I work on capacity building as well as project management and increasingly more also on the socioeconomical impact of projects. Clearing for Results has now three clearance projects in Battambang, in Pailin and Bantey Mean Chay, says Esteban, who adds that landmine clearance in these projects cost currently over 3 million dollars per year. Even though removing landmines is a very expensive procedure, Cambodia manages to get great results for the invested money. The landmine clearance programme in Cambodia is the cheapest one in the world in terms of efficiency. Of course over time it might get more expensive as we move to less accessible areas, as Esteban describes the situation.

World - wide recognition of de - miners

After years of experience with clearing their country Cambodian de-miners are gaining world-wide recognition. Cambodians are known for their skills in landmine clearance. Currently Cambodian deminers are deployed as a part of peacekeeping operations in Lebanon and South Sudan and they do a great job. Previously they were deployed also in Central African Republic, recounts Esteban and adds that having these highly qualified people deployed as peacekeepers contributes to countrys prestige. Cambodia established its 9th Millennium Development Goal in 2003 with the objective of reducing landmine and UXO related casualties in Cambodia to zero, which, according to Esteban, is a very challenging goal. But being able to see the incredibly positive impact we have on peoples life and safety when the threat of landmine and ERW is removed is what keeps me going, Esteban concludes.
Farmer Prak Chrin, first from right, and her children plant green bean seeds in her new land recently cleared of land mines in Samlot district, Battambang province. (Photo: UNDP/Alejandro Boza; Aug 28, 2012; Battambang province)

Cleared land for farmers reducing poverty

Because most of the landmine contaminated areas in Cambodia are agriculture lands, the UNDP landmine clearance programme not only helps to remove the threat and increase safety of Cambodians, but also helps to reduce poverty. Releasing land for agriculture use allows poor farmers to increase their agriculture production and earn more for living. In some post-conflict countries landmine clearing takes place in so called recovery areas. It is about removing the threat and

Preventing accidents and saving lives

Traffic accidents are the eighth largest causes of death worldwide and the main cause of death for people 15 to 29 years old. National UN Volunteer Li Rong could not be more aware of this issue. As a member of the World Health Organizations China road safety team since December 2012, he observes that every year, 1.24 million people around the world die from traffic accidents. The UN General Assembly proclaimed a Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020 to call upon global road safety activities to save millions of lives. In todays China, where urbanization and rates of vehicle ownership continue to rise rapidly, thousands of people lose their lives each year due to road traffic crashes. For example, electric bikes (e-bikes) have become a dominant transportation mode in China. However, while e -bikes are a cheap and convenient mode of transport, injuries and fatalities associated with e-bike accidents have increased markedly over the past few years. The number of people killed in e-bike crashes increased from 589 in 2004 to 4029 in 2010 Doing volunteer throughout China. works is not Saving Lives easy, especially The project Li Rong has been involved in when the work is is the Bloomberg Philanthropy Global associated with Road Safety Program. This initiative is life and health. being conducted in 10 low- and middle -income countries including Brazil, Cambodia, China, Egypt, India, Kenya, Mexico, Russia, Turkey and Vietnam. The overall goal of this project is to support the government to implement good practices in road safety and reduce traffic related death and injury. Since then, Saving Lives has been a personal mission of volunteers like Li Rong. Doing volunteer work is not easy, especially when the work is associated with life and health. The feeling of commitment and responsibility from within requires me to treat every task carefully. When I see people's smiling faces, when I know that I have been contributing a bit to saving lives, all hard work becomes beautiful memories, and all efforts are worthwhile. Pedestrian Safety is the theme of second UN global road safety week in 2013. The road safety data shows that pedestrians are among those most at risk - least protected they suffer significant death and disability with more deaths to pedestrians than that of car drivers and passengers combined. According to the Peoples Republic of China Road Traffic Accident Annual Statistic Report, pedestrians account for 25.37% of the road traffic death in 2012, which is the largest group.

Walking the talk Under the banner Make Walking Safe, the Second UN Global Road Safety Week, is being celebrated worldwide from 6-12 May 2013. Together with international and national partners, Li Rong and his colleagues led activities with a launching ceremony on 6th May in Beijing. They rolled out an outside advocacy walk to convey the message of "make walking safe" to the public, actively promoting pedestrian protection measures, such as wearing light colored clothing and reflective materials. In addition to outdoor events, Li Rong also supported in translating and editing the key messages for this event online as part of the global action. We can all help improve pedestrian safety by for example raising awareness of existing traffic laws on speeding, drinking and driving, distracted driving and walking, and pedestrian -right-of way, Li Rong said. Inspired by social marketing practices, Li Rong and WHO colleagues also created a social marketing campaign for the RS 10 China project, to increase awareness on the risk factors of drunk-driving and speeding among target populations in the pilot cities of Suzhou and Dalian. They initiated PSA (Public Service Advertisements), radio advertisements, posters for the municipalities of Suzhou & Dalian to conduct social marketing campaign in cities and communities. Li Rong helped develop the social marketing work plan, advocacy materials, and questionnaires for social marketing evaluation. Dr. Brent Powis, the director of the project, commented that this program is successfully exploring and evaluating new strategies to address the risk factors on road safety, such as speeding and drink-driving, focusing on and working with the Healthy Cities of Suzhou and Dalian. UN National Volunteers demonstrated their exceptional sense of responsibility in the development mission of China. As Li Rong said, I could contribute myself in the work of Saving Life, and this is what I enjoy most during the UNV assignment.

National UN Volunteer Li Rong during events of the Global Road Safety Program. Photo: UNV China

Yap Fusion: Innovative Recipes Revolutionize Local Food Industry

A road to sustainable food production in Yap, a small state in Micronesia, started with a high level summit, but the true work has been done in kitchens of local women with help and innovative ideas of a UN Volunteer. In order to face challenges such as rising fuel prices and food crises, the Yap States Leadership decided to call for technical assistance to organize a State Social and Economic Summit. At this point UN Volunteer Linda Germanis arrived to Yap and started her assignments as Development Economist. She organized the State Social and Economic Summit, where among other recommendations the representatives of Public, Private and Community Sectors emphasized the extent of poor choices by consumers in purchasing and consuming food, and their potentially dramatic consequences.

be healthy and produced by local food industries, and ethical marketing is not a privilege of the wealthy niche markets, but a volunteer choice. New way of processing local food She started working on Yap Fusion, which in its beginnings operated informally under the umbrella of Yap Women Association. The startup phase lasted three months and it was based on volunteer exchanges between the women of YWA and Linda. The exchanges didnt include any monetary transactions. The women of the YWA network provided local produce that I processed at my own expense, and returned to the women to taste to improve the new products. The project design involved local communities from the very beginning. Successful experiments resulted in a new innovative way of processing local food and led to official establishment of Yap Fusion as a non-profit organization in February 2013. Since then Yap fusion has focused on creating and

Limited time and unhealthy habits Linda Germanis had an opportunity to experience local Yapese culture, but also the transformation of the society. Recent consumption trends highlight how Yapese people tend to buy more imported unhealthy food due to their changing working schedule and time available to process local food - as well as the desire to highlight a different social status through the 'shopping' experience. This has resulted in a spread of Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) related to unbalanced nutrition as well as higher food costs that impact every household, Linda describes current situation in Yap. Lindas learning and personal growth process led her to the decision to bridge the gap between local practices and global economic requirements. She decided to focus on sustainable food production, because according to her ready-to-eat products can

promoting fusion recipes using local ingredients. The creativity that Yap Fusion advocates for is not about food, it is about passion for local food to rediscover its importance as personal care, its role in committing to Yap, its economy, health, and environmentally sustainable future, Linda explains. Yap Fusion reacts to the change in working schedules by creating ready to-eat solutions with available resources. Some of Yap Fusion products reproduce classic recipes such as pizza, pasta or pie, but the ingredients that recreate these well-known dishes are different according to the season and the prices of local produce. It uses taro, yam, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, eggplants or green tomatoes. Yap Fusion product production involves not only farmers, but opens opportunity to create a local food chain using innovative recipes to create a food industry," Linda describes this very successful and tasty initiative. Read more on www.yapfusion.blogspot.com . 6

What is a condom? UNV responding to need for sex education

flawlessly. They all shared stories and laughed and cried together. Most amazingly they all felt respected and accepted: a rare feeling in the life of a sex worker. P3M is here to love and empower those still living as sex workers so that they can find the courage and confidence in themselves to make a very difficult step in changing their lives, said founder Wilda R. Wakkary. Increasing Self-Esteem and Expression Through An Exhibition of Indonesian This is why P3M and its vision Dances, Photo: Azadeh Joharifard ,UNV Indonesia, 2013 is so successful, because it is real and pragmatic. It doesnt shame the sex workers or society; instead it In March 2013 , UNV Indonesia had a Capacity understands why women and men are stuck in Development and Learning Fund (CDLF) event for all prostitution. UN Volunteers in Indonesia. This was the first time all volunteers had been brought together in over 5 P3M is able to offer what is needed immediately -condoms and counselingas well as what is needed years and the event was a great opportunity for to sustain those who finally want to make the emphasizing the volunteerism component of UNV change, which is safe houses and vocational training. work as well as team-building. Building project management skills One of the goals of the seminar was to build the project management skills of UN Volunteers by encouraging their volunteer activities. Each UN Volunteer was invited to present a project idea and helped to develop a plan of action. Small funds from POEM (Programme Officer's Empowerment Mechanism) were available to implement the projects after the workshop. Suggestions included an event for women in prostitution; a learning center for refugees; a clothing exchange; creation of handcrafts to benefit a nature reserve and a childrens photography contest. The 1st completed project was for women in prostitution and was competed the end of April. Friendship and counseling for sex workers In a country like Indonesia where sex education is not emphasized, P3M is often faced with sex workers who may not even know what a condom is. P3M shows them why they should use a condom and how. The P3M team uses this opportunity to share their own life-changing stories to inspire and empower these women so that they can make the same changes in their lives. P3M listens to the sex workers life stories, stories that nobody else is interested to listen. Through these heart-to-heart and face-to-face exchanges, P3M is able to offer its friendship and counseling. Their next goal is to own houses where they can set up counseling, skill training, education and provide safety for sex workers to start a safe and healthy new life.

International UN Volunteer from Canada Azadeh Joharifard began working with UNHCR in Northern Sumatra Sex Workers Share About Their Lives with Founder of P3M, Wilda R. Waklate last year. After she arrived kary, Photo: Azadeh Joharifard ,UNV Indonesia, 2013 she quickly became connected with a volunteer organization, P3M (Perempuan Peduli Pedila Medan, or Women Who Care For Medans Female Sex Workers), which encourages women in the sex trade to follow safe practices and works to build their sense of empowerment and self-esteem. With the funding from UNV, Azadeh helped P3M to hold a concert and awareness-raising event on 21 April for 110 attendees, including 25 young women beneficiaries. Dancing for confidence The women received training in the traditional songs and dances, which they performed

Battle against Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and Victim Blaming

Gender based violence (GBV) has been recognized as a serious development issue that has substantial impact on the social cohesion and resilience of communities, which ultimately affects the economic growth and poverty reduction of the country. In Lao PDR, GBV is a largely hidden problem. Its underlying causes have been attributed to weak or absent definitions and distinctions of violence in legislation, says Nicole Ann Hosein, UN Volunteer from Trinidad and Tobago, who works for UNFPA on issues of GBV with a particular focus on intimate partner violence (IPV). For example, the Penal Code does not address domestic violence or marital rape. Additionally, there is a culture of silence and impunity as well as poor access to justice for women in rural, ethnic communities, Nicole describes the challenging environment. The Lao Social Indicator Survey (LSIS) recently conducted in 2011-2012 and supported by UNFPA and UNICEF indicated that a higher proportion of women (58%) than men (49%) feel that a husband is justified in beating his wife or partner for a variety of reasons, including neglect of children, demonstrating autonomy, arguing with him, refusing to have sex and burning the food. Lao PDR however has limited data on GBV, which is much -needed to serve as evidence for the improvement of legislation, policy and programmes relating to prevention of and responses to GBV and VAW. In order to respond to this need for data, UNFPA along with UN Women and WHO are supporting the government to conduct a national study on the prevalence of violence against women. The results of this study will demonstrate evidence on prevalence and frequency of different forms of violence against women. It will also help identify causes and associated risk and protective factors. The study is expected to sample 3,000 women, says Nicole about the study she has been assisting to coordinate. Perpetrators not held accountable, excessive alcohol to blame We had been observing that the few articles that did discuss GBV issues had been written from the point of view of victim blaming and often times excessive alcohol intake was seen as the reason for the abusers behaviour. This did a lot to reinforce the thinking that women needed to be kept in line and perpetrators were not to be held accountable for their actions. Nicole comments on the situation of media coverage of GBV in Lao. In order to strengthen the capacity of Lao journalists to sensitively cover and report on GBV issues, UNFPA together with UN Women conducted a gender sensitization training for journalists who write for different local newspapers, radio and TV stations in Vientiane. We worked with a local consultant to develop a program that would help strengthen the capacity of Lao Journalists to sensitively cover and report on GBV issues, and empower participants to be proactive in preparing gender sensitive feature stories and articles on GBV related issues. Nicole describes the objectives of the one day workshop, which was conducted in commemoration of the International Womens day. We had an overview of GBV in Lao PDR and the media coverage it got, provided tips on how to report more sensitively on the issue and conducted a practical exercise with the participants to reinforce what they learnt throughout the day, says Nicole and adds that all thirty journalists, who attended the workshop in Vientiane, were eager to learn about the issues surrounding GBV in Lao PDR.

Some of the Lao PDR journalists who attended the gender sensitization workshop in commemoration of the International Womens Day. From left to right: UNFPA Deputy Representative, Rizvina de Alwis (standing in back row in blue), with UN Volunteer from Iceland who is with UN Women, Gudrun Sif Fridriksdottir (in purple shirt), and UN Volunteer Nicole Ann Hosein, Gender Officer UNFPA (in green shirt).

Communicating for Change

Mongolia has experienced rapid political, economic, and social transformation from a Soviet client state to a democratic, independent, market economy. Health service and access to education improved rapidly, especially for Mongolian girls, who now outnumber boys in tertiary education. However women are still underrepresented in politics and suffered disproportionally in the transition to market economy and associated structural adjustment programs. Violence against women has become one of the most pressing issues. UN Volunteer Tikue Girmay has worked for UNFPA Country Office in Mongolia as Media and Behaviour Change Communications (BCC) Specialist. I see my work as an expression of UNFPA motto: Delivering a world where every Tikue Girmay, Behavior Change and Communication Specialist (on pregnancy is wanted, every child-birth is left) with Oyun Banzragch, National Gender Officer, (in the middle) safe and every young person's potential is and Eri Taniguchi, Junior Professional Officer, developing communifulfilled, says Tikue. UNFPA in Mongolia was a driving force in a coalition of partners cation material. Photo: UNFPA Mongolia that pushed for the adoption of Mongolia's Gender Equality Law which also addresses gender based violence issues. of local NGOs and government partners, Tikue comments on the consequences of preparation of Coaching and sharing knowledge the awareness raising activities. UNFPA continues to advocate against GBV and works to improve the status of women in all sectors of society. UNFPA Mongolia is working with various implementing partners and advocacy is at the heart of our work, explains Tikue. The most interesting part of my assignment at the UNFPA Country Office has been working with programme staff in developing various communications materials. We have produced a number of TV spots and print products which are well received by the public. For Tikues work cooperation with national staff and local NGOs was particularly beneficial, and the awareness raising material was a result of many brainstorming sessions and shared development of messages and their evaluation. Coaching and sharing knowledge helps to transfer experience and builds capacities Critical situation in the provinces The awareness raising activities against Gender Based Violence in Mongolia continues until December 2013. The issue of GBV is particularly critical in the provinces, says Tikue and adds that UNFPA selected three focal provinces to implement the activities. Another important part of Tikues work is liaising with various media outlets and informing the audience about programme activities of UNFPA in Mongolia. My work on various documents and publications about activities of UNFPA contributes to increased visibility and promotes UNFPA mandate in moving towards accomplishment of MDG 3 (promote gender equality), MDG 4 (reducing child mortality) and MDG 5 (improving maternal health) ,concludes Tikue.

Material developed for the UNFPA campaign against Gender-based violence. On right: Be free from violence. No one should be victim of violence. On left: Be free from violence. Violence is not a solution to family conflict. UNFPA, Mongolia

The Largest LGBT Conference of Its Kind

Being LGBT in Asia is a ground-breaking, first-ofits-kind joint analysis undertaken by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) together with grassroots LGBT organizations and community leaders to understand the challenges faced by LGBT people in Asia. It is implemented in Cambodia, China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam. the largest conference of its kind National UN Volunteer Christopher M. Reyes works on the implementation of the project Being LGBT in Asia in the Philippines. During his assignment as LGBT Human Rights Officer for UNDP he had an opportunity to work and participate on the National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Community Dialogue, which was the largest conference of its kind so far in the Philippines, gathering sixty LGBT community leaders, rights advocates and international development partners. The conference was organized by UNDP and USAID from 29th to 30th June 2013 and aimed to advance understanding of the social and legal environment faced by this community in the Philippines. Seeing the excitement and enthusiasm of the participants was truly remarkable, says Christopher. The dialogue inspired the advocates and generated a momentum for LGBT rights. The opportunity to work with these leaders and to be the mover of the Philippine National LGBT Community Dialogue is by far my greatest achievement for the Filipino LGBT people, he expressed his excitement about the success of the event.

stressed the importance of including the perspective of minorities within the LGBT community particularly the differently-abled, people with disabilities, senior LGBTs and those from indigenous populations in the discussions. As one participant shared, we want full equality for all Filipinos, and with this national dialogue, we hope for a new conversation, one that is directed towards inclusion of all, regardless of ones sexual orientation and gender identitythis agenda is clear and that is why I am here. Toshihiro Tanaka, UNDP Philippines Country Director commented on the event: The United Nations promotes and upholds the rights of each and every citizen. Human rights apply to everyone without exception and regardless of gender orientation. Thanks for joining us today and help better understand the LGBT human rights situation in the country and identify effective actions that we all can take together to realize equal rights for LGBT and all.

Participants of the Philippine National LGBT Community Dialogue, which fueled sense of inclusion and inspired further collective actions. Photo: UNV Philippines

Inclusive national dialogue The National LGBT Community Dialogue was very eventful and its participants decided to develop a common conceptual framework and approach for SOGIE advocacy (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression) to raise awareness about the LGBT issues in the Philippines. The participants also

The Philippine National LGBT Community Dialogue was a concrete evidence of increasing contributions of LGBT people and the diversity of LGBT groups in the country, says Christopher, who adds that sharing experiences during the conference encouraged and inspired its participants to move forward and work in unity on the forefront of promoting LGBT rights. Particularly it is worth mentioning that some cities in the Philippines such as Angeles, Cebu, Davao and Quezon City enacted local anti-discrimination bills. Events such as the National Dialogue can fuel the sense of inclusion and inspire further collective actions, concludes Christopher on the far-reaching impact of effective joint collaboration of LGBT human rights advocates.

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Promoting literacy in the country of 800 languages

UNV Multi-Country Office (MCO) based in Samoa serves four countries. Together Fiji MCO and Samoa MCO cover almost all the Pacific, except for Papua New Guinea. However Samoa hosts also the UNESCO Sub-Regional Office that covers 17 countries including Papua New Guinea, where UN Volunteer Yusuke Nii was assigned to work for UNESCO as Education Officer. Supporting many education - related projects in the Pacific are the major objectives of Yusuke Nii, UN Volunteer from Japan. He is involved in project Accelerating National Efforts in Papua New Guinea to Achieve Education for All (EFA). As a part of the Literacy Initiative for Empowerment, the project was launched in 2011. UNESCO is through work on Education for All (EFA) reinforcing the global commitment to meet the target of MDG 2 on achieving universal primary education and MDG 3 on promoting gender equality and womens empowerment, trying to narrow the gender gap between girls and boys. The most linguistically diverse place on earth Yusukes role in the project was primarily to review the reports, provide comments to build capacity of the Papua New Guinea government in report writing, eliminate inconsistencies and reduce textual and numeric errors. Important part of the project was a household literacy survey, which provided a unique picture of literacy levels in Papua New Guinea. In this country there are over 800 spoken languages today, making it the most linguistically diverse place on earth, followed by Congo and India. Yusuke had a chance to write the executive summary based on the data from the literacy household survey, which was conducted with a great care, given the cultural and language diversity, and which required sensitive approach and deep understanding of local traditions. Book: a mans best friend The survey result identified the possible target areas to be tackled in order to achieve the MDG 2. One of the interesting findings of the survey was some correlations between family background/ literacy environment and the levels of literacy. The number of reading materials at home seems to have an impact on each household members level of literacy rather than the economic level of a household. That is to say, instead of creating a direct connection between poverty and low literacy rate, the literacy level of a household can be determined by the number of reading materials available at home. Based on this finding, the report advised the PNG government to establish reading corners at school and/or community center, building a library in order to ensure the access to reading materials. I liked the project because the survey identified a concrete and possible way of improving the level of literacy in Papua New Guinea. Based on my experience, Im sure establishing reading habit is crucial especially for children and the youth. By reading picture books, novels, newspapers etc., people could not only improve literacy skills but enrich their mind and broaden their view, Yusuke commented on the project.

Empower readers, involve women Gender mainstreaming in all aspects of the project was the key to achieving the MDG3. However Yusuke was faced with the challenge of involving girls and women in implementation of the literacy initiative due to the high level of gender inequality in Papua New Guinea, which ranks 134 out of 143 (Human Development Report 2013). Yet another difficulty was caused by the large distance from UNESCO office in Apia, Samoa to Papua New Guinea, where Yusuke works. Poor internet and telephone connection and the absence of government officials from the office when they travelled to provinces were difficulties Yusuke often encountered. Yusuke closely cooperated with the Department of Education and National Statistics Office in Papua New Guinea. In the future, effective use of funds and successful national literacy project require government staff to understand the importance of empowering marginalized people and especially to involve of women, says Yusuke, who also believes the results and impact of this project are yet to be seen. Im sure the survey results suggested possible reasonable ways to the PNG Government to improve literacy levels. Now it is up to the government to demonstrate their capacity to make this happen by expanding reading corners and libraries all over the country to guarantee the population access to reading materials, Yusuke concludes.

171 million people could be lifted out of poverty if all students in low income countries left school with basic reading skills equivalent to a 12% cut in world poverty. Source: Education Counts (EFA Global Monitoring Report, UNESCO, 2011)

Literacy survey conducted in Papua New Guinea

UNV Multi-Country office: From left: Yusuke Nii, Solomon Tesema Schuni, Youjin Jung and Jasmine Subasat. Photo: UNV MCO Samoa

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Giving Refugees a Chance to Live in Peace

give their trust to UNCHR asking for international protection and we try our best to fulfill their expectations. I really enjoy this everyday interaction with asylum seekers coming from many Today there are nearly 82,000 registered refugees and some 13,000 asylum different countries, in Africa, Middle seekers in Thailand (as of June 2013). Most refugees are ethnic minorities East and Asia, Mathilde describes her from Myanmar, mainly Karen and Karenni, who live in nine camps in four international work environment.
provinces along the Thai-Myanmar border. Refugees in Thailand have been fleeing conflict and crossing Myanmar's eastern border jungles for the safety of Thailand for nearly 30 years. (source: UNHCR, Thailand)

In the morning she heads to a meeting with asylum seekers, sometimes one person, sometimes entire families. She listens to stories about different countries, problems and reasons why people were forced to abandon their homes and flee. Mathilde Crepin is a UN Volunteer. She works for UNHCR Bangkok as an Eligibility Officer in the Refugee Status Determination department. Her work forms a crucial part of the process of finding durable solutions and providing assistance for thousands of asylum seekers in Thailand. I have been working for UNHCR for about 3 years now. My work is to conduct interviews with asylum seekers in order to understand their story and their past experience. After interviewing them I write recommendations in order to determine whether or not they are eligible for refugee status, says Mathilde. Thailand is not a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention, but according to UNHCR it hosts some 84.900 registered refugees and an estimated 62.000 unregistered asylum-seekers. UNHCR conducts refugee status determinations under its mandate for all urban asylum-seekers with exception of asylum seekers from Myanmar, who have been confined to nine closed camps and whose status is determined by procedure led by the Thai Government. There are some 2,100 urban refugees and asylum-seekers of approximately 39 different nationalities in Thailand, who are assisted by UNHCR. What I like the most about my assignment here is the fact that I am in direct contact with the people of concern. They all

Asylum seekers are a very vulnerable and, according to Mathilde, females are especially exposed. In my work I often talk to women asylum seekers who claim that they have been victims of gender based violence and discriminations. When this is the case, they are usually eligible for refugee status and for international protection. They generally flee countries where gender discrimination is widespread and through helping those women we try to promote gender equality," she says.

UNHCR protects refugee children in the camps, especially some 7,000 girls and boys without parents or guardian.

Outside of refugee camps, refugees in Thailand are not provided additional protection and are regarded as illegal migrants. Their confinement to refugee camps is however creating many social, psychological and other problems. The long term dependency on assistance is not a sustainable solution. Therefore since 2005 more than 80.000 refugees were resettled to third countries, which provide them with necessary protection. I hope that through my work, I have helped as many asylum seekers as possible to be granted refugee status and be resettled in a third and safe country for them to live in peace! Mathilde concludes.

In 2012, UNHCR submitted the application of some 6,500 refugees from Myanmar to eight resettlement countries. A total of 6,845 Myanmar refugees departed for third countries. Since 2005, 82,000 Myanmar refugees have been resettled in 13 countries. (source: UNHCR)

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UNV Empowers Students to help Timor-Leste

I volunteer for youth empowerment is the theme for year 2013 in UNV Field Unit located in Dili, Timor -Leste. Therefore, a one-day briefing was held by the support of UNV for the students of Universidade Nacional Timor Lorosae (UNTL) to enhance their capacity in engaging with local communities and empowering them to solve their challenges. On Friday, 10 May 2013, more than 30 students participated in a briefing to learn how they can help Timor Leste face challenges and get one step closer to achieving Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The aim of this course was to train UNTL students on how to engage with rural communities, especially the youth, during their field work in the districts. Experts from UNICEF, WHO and Na Terra NGO provided training in three MDG-related fields; nutrition (MDG 1), water, sanitation and hygiene (MDG 7), and sustainable agriculture (MDG 7). Students of Faculties of Education, Agriculture and Medicine expressed high interest in the event, as they improved their understanding about volunteering and MDGs, as well as learning how to prepare and present information briefings to local communities in districts where they will do their field work. They were also equipped with sports materials to engage local youth, inspire them for volunteerism and inform them about the importance of young peoples engagement in development and peace in Timor-Leste.
Afonso, student of Faculty of Agriculture of the UNTL said the trainings were very useful: It brought what I studied into practice in the field. In Beto area, west Dili, a lot of young people want to use the sport fields, but there are no facilities, now we are able to unite the young people and create solidarity to maintain peace in the area. Photos: Vina Barahman/UNV , UNFPA Communications officer, 2013

From right: Delfina Ferreira, Programme associate, UNV FU, Katerina Manova, UNV PO and Hendra Manafe, a student of the UNTL Medicine Faculty, who said that the trainings were really helpful for my field work in the district, as one of the main problems is that the local community in most districts does not have access to clean water. Sport is a very powerful method to engage the youth, as it not only brings them together for a good cause, but it also improves their physical health.

The methods I learnt for maintaining nutritional health with all the material that are affordable and the daily food that the local community consumes, are very practical and doable in districts, said Mnica del Arajo, a student of Faculty of Education in UNTL.

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Protecting one of the worlds Richest Biodiversities

Viet Nams biodiversity is among the top ten richest in the world. Ten per cent of the worlds mammal, bird and fish species live here and more than 40 per cent of local plant species are believed to exist nowhere else in the world. However around 900 species are critically endangered and nine are already extinct, including the Javan rhino. Viet Nam has made a significant progress in achieving the Millennium Development Goals, but effective biodiversity conservation remains critical to ensure environmental sustainability. The challenges of green development, climate change and environmental protection that Viet Nam faces in the coming decades fueled my motivation to become a UN Volunteer says Nastassja Hoffet, who is working with the Sustainable Development Team at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Viet Nam. Raising awareness among the public about the value of biodiversity is one of the important components of Nastassjas job. So far, the most exciting part of this work was preparation of the International Day of Biological Diversity (IBD), she says. The celebration of IBD included a photo and logo contest on Biodiversity in Viet Nam. More than 340 works from 140 photographers and 50 logos were collected, reflecting the diversity of nature and threats to its preservation. "Being part of the jury of this contest allowed me to understand better the Vietnamese vision of fauna and flora as well as attitudes and actions for safeguarding biodiversity," recounts Nastassja. Maintaining biodiversity in national parks Winners of the competition were awarded with a field trip to Cat Ba Island, which is located in the most significant terrestrial and maritime protected area of the North of Viet Nam. Participants of the trip were able to learn more about the current work of

national parks to conserve biodiversity. This trip helped me to gain a better understanding of the role of national parks and maintaining biodiversity. I would love to be more involved in conservation activities! said Ms Truong Ti Nhi Ny, 22 years old prize winner from Ho Chi Minh City. For Mr. Kieu Van Chinh, second prize winner of the logo contest, the visit was important to observe the strong links between local livelihoods and environmental protection.

The field trip was a significant step to raise awareness among young people. comments Nastassja and adds that youth holds the best position to adopt and promote environmentally friendly lifestyle, including saving water and energy, as well as the sustainable use of natural products, to help to save our planet. The spirit of volunteerism wasnt lacking during the celebration of IBD either, as many young volunteers attended the event and together spread a message against wildlife trade and trafficking as well as the need of biodiversity conservation by joining in a cycle tour. Supporting the organization of this event was a great opportunity for me as a UN volunteer to mobilize and engage volunteer organizations in achieving the MDG 7, Nastassja concludes and reveals future plans: A great amount of work remains to be done in order to raise awareness in Viet Nam on biodiversity issues. One of our major activities is the launch of the new policy document - the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.
Photo and logo exhibition in the IBD event A cycle tour by young volunteers from Hanoi Youth Union to Ca Ba National Park (UN photos)

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Cambodia Niet-Smajet Myanmar Viet Nam Tnh Nguyn Vin Thailand Asasamak Aur-fue-pue-prae Mettra Karuna Karnhai Jit-asa Federated States of Micronesia

U N V E a s t - A s i a a n d P a c i fi c
China zhi yuan zhe East Timor Voluntrio Fiji Ira dau veivuke Indonesia GOTONG ROYONG meuseuraya Palau Solomon Islands Wantok Volontia Samoa Auaunaga e ofo fua Vanuatu bislama Olgeta blong helpem olnawan Papua New Guinea Tuvalu Fesoasoani ki tino Malaysia sukarelawan Philippines Bayanihan Tokelau tino faigaluega ofo fua tana fehoahoaniga Nauru Ateng puok Kiribati Te tia ibuobuoki Lao People's Democratic Republic A sa sa mak Marshall Islands Kumit Mongolia Sain duryn uil ajillagaa Sain durynhan
;

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Hydrologist Environment

MEDICAL

DOCTOR

LAN

Officer
OFFICER

COORDINATOR Statistics Advisor URBAN DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

Advisor

AGRICULTURE

Community Development Officer ICT TECHNICIAN LABORATORY OFFICER COMMUNICATIONS ADVISOR MIDWIFE Disaster Management Officer TRAINING OFFICER FOOD SCIENTIST
ELIGIBILITY OFFICER HIV/AIDS Officer WEBSITE OFFICER CAPACITY BUILDING OFFICER ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT ASSISTANT
COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

UN Dispensary Physician ENGINEER

LOGISTICS OFFICER HEAD OF OFFICE YOUTH COUNSELOR Crisis Prevention & Recovery Advisor Operations Officer PROJECT MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT Public Information Officer Media Relations Officer HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER
DATA ENTRY ASSISTANT FIELD OFFICER HEALTH OFFICER PROJECT MANAGER Nutrition Officer Engineering LEGAL ASSISTANT CIVIL AFFAIRS OFFICER FINANCE

ADVISOR

Advisor

Vehicle Mechanic SMALL BUSINESS ADVISOR Judicial Officer

Electoral Officer MONITORING AND EVALUATION OFFICER REINTEGRATION OFFICER Economics Assistant
Psychologist

Sociology Assistant

ENVIRONMENT ASSISTANT

W ATER & S ANITIATION O FFICER

Finance Assistant
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