UNV Practice Notes

PRACTICE NOTES

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Contribution of Volunteerism to Peacebuilding

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Front Cover: A group of women from the Ramesha Association in Bujumbura, Burundi singing proverbs that highlight Burundi’s common heritage to promote peace (Sylvain Liechti, 2009)

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CONTENTS . 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS List of acronyms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Executive summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Background and rational. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Peacebuilding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Volunteerism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Volunteerism and Peacebuilding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 UNV Peacebuilding Roles and Activities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Volunteerism in action: Case studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Case Study #1:Engaging Grassroots Community Groups in the Promotion of Peace (Burundi) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Case Study #2: Enhancing Local Ownership of Peacebuilding and Sustainable Development Efforts (The Philippines). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Case Study #3: Empowering Marginalized Youth to Contribute to National Development (Liberia) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Case Study #4: Securing Human Rights for the Most Vulnerable As an Essential Component of Peacebuilding (Cambodia) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Case Study # 5: Facilitating the Return and Reintegration of Internally Displaced Persons (Kosovo) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Provide a Timely and Purposeful Response . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Strengthen Local Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Foster Linkages with Grassroots Organizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Encourage Wide Community Participation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

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2 . UNITED NATIONS VOLUNTEERS: PRACTICE NOTES

LIST OF ACRONYMS BINUCA

United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in the Central African Republic

BNUB

United Nations Office in Burundi

CPR

Crisis Prevention and Recovery

DFS

Department of Field Support

DPA

UNAMID

African Union/UN Hybrid operation in Darfur

UNDAF

United Nations Development Assistance Framework

UNDP

United Nations Development Programme

UNGA

United Nations General Assembly

UNIPSIL

United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone

UNMIK

United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo

Department of Political Affairs

DPKO

Department of PeaceKeeping Operations

EAD

Electoral Assistance Division

IDP

Internally displaced person

UNMIL

United Nations Mission in Liberia

MINURSO

United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara

UNMIS

United Nations Mission in Sudan

UNMIT

United Nations Integrated Mission in East Timor

UNOGBIS

United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office in Guinea-Bissau

UNV

United Nations Volunteers

VSO

Voluntary Service Overseas

MINUSTAH

United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti

MONUSCO

United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo

PBSO UN

Peacebuilding Support Office United Nations

UNAMA

United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY . 3

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Practice Note on the Contribution of Volunteerism to Peacebuilding was developed to provide an understanding of volunteerism and its relationship to this focus area. This document is primarily intended for United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme staff based in the organization’s headquarters and field units. It intends to contribute to strengthening UNV’s capacity to more effectively engage partners in peacebuilding during its advocacy and programming work.

In post-conflict situations, community involvement in peacebuilding is fundamental to fashioning nonviolent, sustainable societies. The process of peacebuilding may include fostering cooperation and communication between different segments of society, re-establishing basic services and the rule of law, and boosting economic development. All of these activities help mitigate the risk of continued violence and conflict.

Effective peacebuilding requires trust to ensure open dialogue between stakeholders, a sense of community ownership in the rebuilding process and feelings of self-reliance and empowerment among members of the community. Civic engagement through channels such as volunteerism offers an essential mechanism for building trust.

This Practice Note provides an overview and understanding of how voluntary action can enhance national and local capacities to rebuild post-conflict countries. The Practice Note aims to help strengthen UNV capacity to engage partners on the ground through UNV advocacy and programming initiatives, and through appropriate assignments for UN Volunteers.

The Practice Note begins with background information on volunteerism, the role of UNV and basic concepts related to peacebuilding. It then presents various case studies that examine volunteerism in action within peacebuilding efforts of the United Nations and other organizations.

Each of the case studies identifies specific scenarios within the context of peacebuilding. These include human rights protection, the reintegration of displaced persons, and ways to engage youth and grassroots organizations.

The paper concludes by highlighting good peacebuilding practices for volunteers. These include drafting a clear and timely plan for technical assistance, increasing the capacity of local actors to assume long-term responsibility for sustainable peacebuilding, partnering with grassroots organizations, encouraging wider community participation, and empowering the most vulnerable and marginalized segments of society.

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BACKGROUND AND RATIONAL What is peacebuilding?

The term peacebuilding came into widespread use after 1992, when then-United Nations SecretaryGeneral Boutros Boutros-Ghali published his Agenda for Peace.1 This document described postconflict peacebuilding as “an action to identify and support structures which will tend to strengthen and solidify peace in order to avoid a relapse into conflict.” The document’s strategy attempted to address root causes of conflict and the effects of conflict on a country’s social fabric, political system and the economy. Methods preferred for peacebuilding included reconciliation, institutionbuilding, and political and economic transformation.

Peacebuilding generally begins with a brokered peace agreement between parties formerly at odds.

It refers to the implementation of that agreement, is a long-term process and while it can coincide with peacemaking and peacekeeping, extends beyond these mediation activities to enable a durable peace and to prevent the recurrence of violence. However, the steps required to create and maintain a lasting peace do not follow a linear sequence, which underscores the importance of implementing peacebuilding activities throughout the rebuilding process.

There is often a heightened risk of relapsing into conflict during the early years of a peace accord. It is therefore critical that efforts to build and consolidate peace are timely, dedicated and participatory to stave off recurring violence. Accordingly, conflict prevention is vital to a peacebuilding process because of the uncertainty of a transitional period, when stability is still fragile. For example, many of those victimized during armed conflict may again be

1. An Agenda for Peace: Preventive Diplomacy, Peacemaking and Peacekeeping, 17 June 1992 (A/47/277 - S/241111).

targeted in the postconflict transitional period because the rule of law and other developmental initiatives that are part of peacebuilding have yet to take hold.

"Volunteerism… is a fundamental source of community strength, resilience, solidarity and social cohesion. It can help effect positive social change by fostering inclusive societies that respect diversity, equality and the participation of all."

Peacebuilding typically Ban Ki-Moon, United Nations Secretary-General, International aims to address Volunteer Day, 5 December 2007 fractured or absent social dynamics in a post-conflict situation. Hence, peacebuilding requires a fundamental investment in civilian capacities to rebuild local trust, confidence and cooperation—all core prerequisites for reestablishing the rule of law, basic services and a viable economy.

What is Volunteerism?

Volunteerism is a fundamental source of community strength and resilience that exists in all societies throughout the world. People volunteer through a wide range of activities, including traditional forms of mutual aid and self-help, formal service delivery, campaigning and advocacy, as well as other forms of civic participation. The United Nations General Assembly (A/RES/56/38) defines volunteerism as “an act undertaken of free will, for the general public good and where monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor.”

Following the International Year of Volunteers in 2001, the United Nations General Assembly (A/RES/57/106) recognized that “volunteerism is an important component of any strategy aimed at…poverty reduction, sustainable development, health, disaster prevention and management and social integration and, in particular, overcoming social exclusion and discrimination”. Furthermore, the General Assembly noted, “volunteering, particularly at the community level, will help to

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BACKGROUND AND RATIONAL . 5

achieve the development goals and objectives set out in the United Nations Millennium Declaration.�

How does volunteerism relate to peacebuilding?

History has shown that when people are faced with conflict, they have the will and instinct to react with resilience and resourcefulness, even in situations of extreme instability.

This response typifies the spirit of civic, voluntary engagement and highlights its power to catalyse reconciliation and reconstruction efforts in divided societies. Volunteerism, which is largely perceived as a neutral force for positive change by motivated individuals, can help unite people who are otherwise divided, improve cooperation and dialogue and galvanize wider community participation. Case Study 1, the Remesha Association in Burundi, exemplifies how active citizenship can help to promote and build peace at the grassroots level.

Another key benefit of volunteerism is that it can help re-engage marginalized groups typically rendered vulnerable by conflict situations. Examples of these groups include young people, often recruited by armed forces to perpetrate violence, and displaced persons forced by war to flee their places of origin. However, as the examples in this Practice Note demonstrate, efforts to engage such groups can help to not only facilitate their reintegration into society, but also encourage their self-empowerment as role models during the peacebuilding process (see Case Studies 3 and 5).

Volunteerism that simultaneously involves both local and international participants is beneficial for addressing the unique challenges of post-conflict societies. The influx of external skills, knowledge and solutions from international volunteers can help rebuild local capacities often depleted and fractured during situations of armed conflict, or non-existent due to entrenched conflict. As highlighted by the

work of the Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) in the Philippines (see Case Study 2), the contribution of international volunteers is most effective when it leads local community members to meet their own long-term needs.

Meanwhile, local volunteers play a vital role in connecting their communities to those who are in charge of peacebuilding programmes. With a strong knowledge of local needs, assets and sociocultural and political conditions, local volunteers are ideal interlocutors to deliver constructive messages about participatory processes, reconciliation and civic responsibility. Local volunteer involvement builds trust and enhances dialogue at the community level that can lead to stability.

In the aftermath of conflict, people demonstrate a strong willingness and desire to restore their livelihoods, yet the effects of conflict involve social, political and physical barriers that often hamper this potential collective spirit. Volunteerism works to counter this dynamic by bringing people together on the ground, reaching out to the marginalized and galvanizing wider participation among community members. Volunteers have a critical role to play in rebuilding and strengthening local capacity during peacebuilding efforts.

In order to build peace effectively, it is important to apply different measures to implement the different components of the peace agreement. As the peacebuilding process involves enacting agreements made during peace negotiations. If the peacebuilding process is delayed or nontransparent, citizens can quickly lose trust in the process and the state will remain fragile.

It is also important to note that gender relations often change because of armed conflict. When men are absent, injured or killed, women become empowered through greater responsibility for families, community resilience, continuation of

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6 . UNITED NATIONS VOLUNTEERS: PRACTICE NOTES

livelihoods, and sometimes involvement in the war efforts themselves. Thus, it is vital to include women in any peacebuilding process, not only as victims, but also as survivors and sometimes conflict participants.

The following examples outline important steps and guidelines on how volunteerism plays an important role in peacebuilding efforts: Consultation – it is extremely important to institute a type of ‘direct democracy’ or ‘multi-track’ peace negotiation in the period before reaching a peace agreement and leading up to a possible election, after which representative democracy will most likely be the mechanism for policy debate, formulation and tacit consent of citizens.

■ Volunteers can rally citizens in different forums

and help bring those voices to other larger forums – civic outreach is the key focus.

■ It is crucial to involve all citizens, especially

women at community level as all too often they are the sole provider for families as a result of the conflict ■ Women are also more likely to volunteer to build

peace at community level because they play a key role in community survival activities Communication of intention and progress – it is extremely important to encourage government counterparts to share information about peace programming, implementation of agreements and where and who will be affected.

■ Volunteer networks and infrastructure can be

instrumental in this phase to sensitize communities for change and to reassure them that they will be the recipients of peace dividends.

■ In addition, volunteers can do much of the work

necessary for communities to enable peace dividends.

■ These efforts are often the beginning of new

livelihood opportunities through experience and trust gained and thus recognition of volunteerism.

■ Recognition through good governance practice

like open communication can lead to volunteers also becoming community representatives, especially women and thus good governance expanded through volunteerism

What role does UNV play in the peacebuilding process?

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the United Nations organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development.

Volunteerism benefits both society and the individual volunteer by strengthening trust, solidarity and reciprocity among citizens, and by purposefully creating opportunities for participation.

UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers. These beliefs inform the concept of volunteerism for peace and development, which is at the core of UNV’s mission.

“The difference UNV makes is by demonstrating peace and development results and impact through volunteerism.

UNV’s comparative advantage is the ability and knowledge to bring about transformational

UNV’s comparative advantage is the ability and knowledge to bring about transformational change through volunteerism, community voluntary action and civic engagement through active partnerships with civil society, volunteerinvolving organizations, United Nations agencies and governments. This is inspiration in action.

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BACKGROUND AND RATIONAL . 7

change through volunteerism, community voluntary action and civic engagement through active partnerships with civil society, volunteer involving organizations, UN agencies and Governments. This is inspiration in action.”

■ United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2001

expanded the UNV mandate on raising awareness and promoting volunteerism for development.

■ United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2005

provided support for corporate volunteering.

UNV is dedicated to supporting the peacebuilding activities of various United Nations entities, through the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), the Department of Political Affairs (DPA), the Peace-building Support Office (PBSO) of DPA and all other United Nations agencies, funds and programmes worldwide. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) administers UNV and thus UNV is accountable to the UNDP Executive Board. UNV supports peace and development by mobilizing volunteers and encouraging partners to integrate global volunteerism into development programming. The core of the UNV mission is the principle of volunteerism for peace and development - “inspiration in action.”

The United Nations established the UNV programme in 1970 to recruit, assign and administer the services of qualified volunteers for United Nations agencies, funds, programmes and governments around the world.

The following key United Nations General Assembly Resolutions and UNDP Executive Board Decisions have since defined and advanced the UNV mandate: ■ United Nations General Assembly Resolution 1976

called on UNV to promote the involvement of youth in development and establish a major operational unit of the United Nations for the execution of youth programmes.

■ United Nations General Assembly Resolution 1978

called upon the UNDP Administrator and Executive Heads of United Nations system organizations to promote the use of UN Volunteers in United Nations-assisted projects and activities.

■ UNDP’s Executive Board (DP/2007) encouraged

UNV to increase its focus on assisting programme countries in developing sustainable, national capacities and to mobilize volunteers domestically through national volunteer schemes, volunteer centres and networks (DP/2007/2).

■ UNDP’s Executive Board Decision 2008 calls

upon UNV to contribute to environmental sustainability and the climate change agenda.

The United Nations Secretary-General’s 2009 Report on peacebuilding in the immediate aftermath of conflict (11 June 2009; A/63/881 – S/2009/304) stresses the importance of delivering peace dividends during the immediate post-conflict window of opportunity. This includes provision of basic security, increased confidence in the political process and a strengthened core national capacity to lead peace-building efforts. The report commended the UNV programme for offering “valuable support to the provision of civilian capacities in post-conflict environments in a broad range of occupational areas” and encouraged the deployment of UN Volunteers with relevant expertise and experience for short-term assignments as peace-building volunteers.

Following the Secretary-General’s recommendations, the UNV Programme Strategy (2011-2013) entitled “Volunteerism for Peace and Development” identifies peacebuilding as one of the strategic areas of engagement for the organization.

One of the five programme areas of this strategy is crisis prevention and recovery (CPR), which includes activities in post-conflict recovery situations

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that aim to build trust, social co-existence, and cohesion, and mutual support.

UNV will focus interventions in crisis prevention and recovery through three crosscutting themes outlined in the UNV programme strategy as ‘social inclusion pillars’: youth, gender and marginalised persons. As a result, at both the community and institutional level, target groups in all UNV and related institutional initiatives will reflect each of these social segments. The programme strategy outlines UN Volunteers on-going efforts to increase local institutional capacity for peacebuilding and to achieve consensus through community dialogue.

Planned activities described in the strategy intend to focus directly on supporting community services, gender-sensitive long-term resettlement, and state building including United Nations supported postcrisis electoral processes. This Practice Note is one tool to enable this strategy by highlighting some practices employed by volunteers to promote peace in varying contexts in the case studies.

In 2010, 7,765 UN Volunteers served in 132 countries. Thirty-two percent of volunteers were nationals serving in their own countries with women undertaking 37% of all assignments. Nearly 60% of UN Volunteers work in post-conflict countries. At the end of 2010, 2,261 UN Volunteers work in the DPKO Department of Field Support (DPKO/DFS) and DPAled peacekeeping and peace-building field operations. In United Nations missions, 30% of international civilian personnel are UN Volunteers.

Many other UN Volunteers also work on peacebuilding related projects, in United Nations agencies, funds and programmes.

The comparative advantage of UNV in peacebuilding scenarios Peacebuilding relies on the concept of voluntary action and active civic engagement. UN Volunteers can be the ideal interlocutor to deliver constructive

messages about participatory processes, build trust and promote dialogue. In addition, UN Volunteers are often particularly effective among different stakeholders because they are often perceived as politically and socially impartial and non-threatening, and they come from the communities that the United Nations supports.

The fact that many national UN Volunteers work in their own communities enables them to build bridges among various social groups by opening lines of communication as well as promoting trust, confidence and ownership in peacebuilding activities.

Cooperation among mixed teams of national and international volunteers enables UNV programmes to foster a transfer of knowledge and skills while retaining an understanding of local conditions and a focus on community-based initiatives. The United Nations can deploy UN Volunteers quickly - this is advantageous allowing communities to capitalize on the positive momentum of the immediate postconflict period.

UNV peacebuilding roles and activities UNV participation in United Nations missions ensures the availability of ad hoc skills or functions that are normally unavailable in United Nations Secretariat Departments. For example, in the case of large-scale logistical exercises involving the movement of large quantities of equipment and other material, UNV may be able to deploy logisticians and engineers who have specialist skills or knowledge of construction in rapidly changing environments. Often these volunteers come from a military background so their skills are not easy to locate or replicate from current staffing pools for work in fragile states. UNV also aims to open up United Nations missions to non-traditional staffing.

This adds to the diversity of civilian staff by involving interested citizens with a global consciousness who

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BACKGROUND AND RATIONAL . 9

are eager to share their time and expertise with others.2 The UNV programme engages volunteers within a wide range of thematic areas linked to peacebuilding. Examples include: ■ campaigns to raise awareness of the positive

aspects of peace; ■ monitoring community security and respect for

human rights and the rule of law in order to reduce the incidence of violence; ■ supporting the reintegration of former combatants; ■ encouraging youth to contribute to social

reconstruction, which also provides opportunities for leadership building; and ■ supporting the recognition and participation of

women in peacebuilding activities.

2. The Brahimi Report (A/55/305 – S/2000/809) acknowledged the dedication, competence and exemplary work of UN Volunteers in the field, and recommended their prominent role within a broader comprehensive staffing strategy for peace operations.

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VOLUNTEERISM IN ACTION: CASE STUDIES The five case studies that follow are each from a different post-conflict situation and serve to highlight the role of volunteerism in peacebuilding.

The methodology for the development of the case studies followed a four-step process: a desk and literature review based on interviews, project documents and articles; analysis and integration of information from the interviews, project documents and articles; synthesis of results of the case studies; and identification of lessons learned.

For its part in the peacebuilding process, UNV has targeted the country’s rich tradition of voluntary action and social solidarity. From informal schemes to the presence of local NGOs, there is a wideranging commitment to peacebuilding and sustainable development in Burundi.

One of these local groupings is the Remesha Association, a collective of 44 displaced and mostly widowed elderly women from different ethnic backgrounds in Bujumbura. The Women’s Peace Centre, a leading NGO in Burundi, brought the Remesha Association to the attention of UNV, requesting technical and financial assistance for their initiatives. UNV began supporting the Remesha Assocation in June 2007.

For each case study, project officers and/or volunteers were interviewed. The methodology was participatory and consultative in approaching key stakeholders who were involved in the coordination and implementation of project activities.

One of the association’s most inspirational activities has been production of a book of proverbs that highlights Burundi’s common heritage. The collection of proverbs promotes a vision of peace and unity in the aftermath of -long ethnic conflict, and passes down essential cultural notions to young people.

Case Study # 1: Engaging grassroots community groups in the promotion of peace (Burundi)

UN Volunteers helped the Remesha Association secure funding for the production and printing of the books, identified local and international partners and markets for a wider distribution, solicited illustrations from children for the book, and broadened its reach by translating it from Kirundi into Kiswahili, French and English.

Decades of civil conflict and political instability have contributed to Burundi’s low socio-economic status.

Burundi ranked 166 out of 169 countries in the 2010 Human Development Index and half the population live below the poverty line. However, in May 2008, with the help of international mediation and support, the government and the last active rebel group signed a ceasefire that ushered in a new era of stability. Burundi’s United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) aims to consolidate peace and community recovery, with emphasis on planning and coordination, democratic governance, community recovery, national reconciliation, and the promotion and protection of human rights.

This UNV-supported initiative represents a valuable tool in promoting the spirit of peacebuilding and collective action in the community. The book’s impact has been far-reaching and layered. Monetary proceeds from book sales have helped the Ramesha Association launch new community activities and small business ventures, and provide microcredit financing to the community. Of equal importance, the book’s inspirational messages have helped to bridge divides between ethnic groups and across generations, helping to both preserve traditional culture and promote peace.

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CASE STUDIES . 11

Analysis and Lessons Learnt The work of the Remesha Association typifies the type of creative and resilient response that often characterizes communities attempting to emerge from the chaos of conflict to the stability of peace.

UNV’s uncomplicated, low-budget and peoplecentred involvement in this inspirational project helped generate income for a marginalized group of people while still upholding the broader goal of advocating for peace.

UNV is ideally positioned to encourage similar projects and can provide significant added value either through direct support or through access to wider networks of assistance given the agency’s strong alliances within the United Nations and NGO communities, its expertise in programming and peacebuilding activities, and its longstanding focus on human capital investment.

Case Study #2: Enhancing local ownership of peacebuilding and sustainable development efforts (The Philippines) Armed conflict in the southern Philippines between government forces and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front has cost thousands of people their homes or lives over the past 30 years. Distrust between Muslims and Christians, and the exploitative presence of individuals and groups seeking to profit economically from a sustained conflict have fuelled disputes over natural resources, such as land. The unrest has impeded many attempts to address development needs in this part of the Philippines.

A UK-based non-profit organization, Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO), was actively working toward peacebuilding on the island of Mindanao in the south of the country since 2001, but elsewhere in the country since the 1970’s. After four decades of

working in the Philippines, VSO completed its mission in 20103 and withdrew its international volunteers. However, the organization ensured continuation of its work through a well-planned exit strategy.

Previously, VSO support in the Philippines centred on international volunteer placements to support activities such as disaster and conflict mediation, technical expertise in strategic planning, business management, human resource development and financial systems. These international volunteers were valued for their long-term planning skills, familiarity with new technology, good ideas and innovative solutions.

In its last years in the Philippines, the organization made a gradual shift in emphasis from international to national volunteers. The shift recognized the advantages that national volunteers bring in terms of local knowledge (including language and culture), an understanding of capacities and needs within communities, and their availability for both stop-gap emergency responses and on-going development needs that can inform long-term capacity building.

The promotion of national volunteers helped build a strong platform for sustainable progress in peacebuilding and development.

In the Lanao provinces of Mindanao, for example, VSO developed partnerships with at least 14 NGOs to build the capacity of this growing domestic network. Specifically, VSO hosted workshops, training, and conferences, and promoted partnership activities with local organizations such as sharing of documents, resources and visits to other NGOs. Analysis and Lessons Learnt.

Peacebuilding efforts are most effective when leveraging the expertise, knowledge and cultural norms of both national and international volunteers.

Local volunteers provide an essential understanding 3. Source: available from http://www.unv.org.ph/vsop-is-ending.php

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12 . UNITED NATIONS VOLUNTEERS: PRACTICE NOTES

of the indigenous context and conditions on the ground. They also provide a vital and on-going presence at the community level. When faced with extreme challenges, post-conflict societies may require skills and expertise beyond those that are locally available. International volunteers are sometimes best equipped to provide these skills and whose distance from the conflict positions them as a neutral force serving as a buffer between national volunteers and communities, when necessary.

It is critical that those individuals involved in local peacebuilding efforts receive training and support to engender a sense of ownership and empowerment in the peace process. As a result, when international volunteers leave a country, capable local networks can continue consolidating the peace. In addition to deploying and enhancing the skills of local UN Volunteers, UNV should continue to engage and empower volunteers across different communities by providing them with volunteer opportunities, ways to network, and skills training. This builds the confidence of local actors and broadens their participation in peacebuilding processes long after United Nations missions have disengaged.

Case Study #3: Empowering marginalized youth to contribute to national development (Liberia) Liberia’s 15-year civil war disproportionately affected its young people who were victims of violence or often forced to perpetrate violence, many of who are traumatized as a result. This has had a marginalizing effect on Liberian youth and highlights the need to engage them in peacebuilding and development initiatives essential to the country’s continued progress.

In 2007, UNV helped to initiate the Liberian National Youth Volunteer Service (NYVS) in collaboration with

the government of Liberia. The NYVS aims to reintegrate and increase the participation of young people in Liberian society. For the past four years, more than 300 youth volunteers have been deployed by the NYVS to work in public elementary schools, clinics and agriculture projects under coordination of national UN Volunteers and NYVS Project Officers.

These volunteers initiated a number of activities and awareness-raising campaigns, including a focus on gender advocacy and the role of sports in promoting peace. These programmes have given young people valuable experience with existing development structures and practical experience during their assignments.

One of the central aims of the NYVS is to provide Liberian youth with an opportunity to improve their professional skills and acquire work experience at the same time as they help support the nation’s development. According to a 2008 report, 91 percent of NYVS volunteers acknowledged significant skills improvements in areas such as leadership, mobilization and conflict management, and 40 percent were offered positions within the government and United Nations Agencies.4 Youth volunteers in Liberia have made a noticeable impact in the education, health and community integration sectors, but perhaps the most significant outcome of their volunteerism has been improving themselves. For instance, by getting involved in peacebuilding, many have become role models and leaders in the very communities that ostracized them immediately after the conflict ended. Ultimately, the commitment, energy, openness and creativity of young people, combined with an exposure to the depth and reality of the problems facing their country, is sure to inspire them and others to bring about greater positive change in Liberia.

4. Source: Liberian National Youth Volunteer Service Project Mid-term Review Report (June/July 2008)

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CASE STUDIES . 13

Analysis and Lessons Learnt There is a vast potential to engage young people to affect positive, sustainable change in their countries.

Involving young people in peacebuilding efforts requires commitment, strong political coordination, financial investment and consideration within broader development plans.

The success of NYVS in Liberia shows that involving young people can be a positive, transformative experience for not only the individual young people, but the larger society as well. Harnessing the energy, enthusiasm and willingness to learn of youth can help empower them, which is itself a vital contribution toward a country’s post-conflict development and one that deserves replicating in other country contexts.

Case Study #4: Securing human rights for the most vulnerable as an essential component of peacebuilding (Cambodia) Following the Khmer Rouge regime and the Vietnamese occupation, millions of Cambodians lost their lives or livelihoods, leaving a legacy of trauma, grief and distrust in the country. Serious social injustice has since prevailed throughout Cambodia.

Domestic violence, sexual abuse and human trafficking are now widespread. Furthermore, relations between local populations and the state remain fragile, which suggests the continuation of underlying tensions.

Cord, an international organization working to build lasting peace in conflict and post-conflict situations, has been working in Cambodia since 1975 with a particular focus on human rights. Cord works directly with local organizations to provide support, advice and opportunities for volunteers to help with projects that promote human rights. Cord fostered a

particularly strong partnership with Ponleu Ney Kdey Sangkhum (PNKS) that largely works with rural communities in the Kampong Speu and Prey Veng Provinces. Knowledge of rights in Cambodia is especially limited in poor rural communities, and PNKS endeavours to work with villagers and their councils to address this lack of awareness.

Cord is assisting PNKS through the provision of six long-term volunteers and a regional director in country to provide advice and facilitate activities on the ground. The team of volunteers offer mentoring, coaching, training and technical support to its local partner, with an emphasis on creating a local culture that embraces positive change. The organization has helped to establish commune councils, village development committees, women’s groups and local advocacy volunteers with knowledge on a rightsbased approach. Local volunteers have in turn coordinated awareness-raising events on human rights for low-income communities, reaching 3,429 villagers in their targeted communities.5 It is essential to reach every social stratum within a community, particularly those who are most vulnerable, for the promotion of human rights. Cord for instance, assisted PNKS in providing literacy classes so that those who were illiterate may one day understand their rights and the role they play in the peacebuilding process. This has enabled more people to register complaints of human rights violations and build a better relationship with local councils, which can then better uphold citizens’ rights.

This new dynamic between civil society and local authorities has encouraged villagers to raise awareness in creative ways such as designing billboards that publicize human rights issues in local areas.

The support of Cord’s volunteers has enabled PNKS and other local partners to improve their capacity to support their own community. They have done so by 5. See PNKS Annual Report 2008 (Somleng Kampong Speu Project)

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initiating grassroots projects that engage people across all levels of society to improve their networking skills, to better promote their work and expand their collective ability to deal with government bodies regarding critical human rights issues. As an example, PNKS has established a Decentralization and Democracy Forum, inviting local residents, grassroots organizations and community groups to interact, learn from, and promote their needs to community chiefs and human rights experts. Empowering local communities is essential to advancing their rights by improving their ability to engage the government in a climate that continues to be tension-filled.

Analysis and Lessons Learnt Respect is a value at the core of both peacebuilding and human rights programming. The work within both areas is mutually reinforcing and therefore inextricably linked and interdependent. Effective peacebuilding processes rely on adherence to human rights principles. Using a human rights framework that respects all parties (neither glorifying nor vilifying victors or victims) once a conflict has ended is essential to realizing long-term peace and stability. Conversely, marginalized victims or ousted perpetrators may resort to retaliatory violence if they feel their rights have been disregarded.

Protecting human rights is one of the most complex and challenging aspects of post-conflict environments, as governments are often unable or reluctant to address adequately rights violations.

This heightens the need for peacebuilding actors who can engage community-based organizations.

Volunteers provide a unique advantage in this context because they are perceived as neutral actors. The support that Cord volunteers have provided to PNKS highlights good practices for building the capacity and confidence of local volunteers. In addition, Cord’s focus on broader advocacy work led to the provision of valuable

mentoring, advice and technical support to local volunteer organizations for the wider promotion of human rights.

Case Study #5: Facilitating the return and reintegration of internallydisplaced persons (Kosovo) UN Volunteers have played an integral role in the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) following the country’s war in the late 1990s. The key focus of UNV work in Kosovo has been to support the large population of internally displaced persons (IDPs). The mandate of UNMIK has been to advance regional stability in the western Balkans, and central to this goal is ensuring conditions for a peaceful and normal life for all inhabitants, including the tens of thousands of displaced people.

UN Volunteers have performed many duties to assist the return and reintegration of IDPs during their identification, return and reintegration into their home communities. UN Volunteers inputs at all stages of the reintegration process were vital, and included information dissemination, administration, mediation and advocacy. UN Volunteers have established and operated an IDP Information Centre (in Zvecan) and Community Information Centres in all five regions of Kosovo. Each of these centres produces newsletters and information bulletins updating IDPs about the current situation in their place of origin. Due to their isolated circumstances, IDPs are often exposed to rumours and misinformation, therefore a flow of reliable information (including answers to frequently asked questions about the return process) has proven essential to securing trust and a willingness to return.

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UN Volunteers also assisted Regional Returns Units in carrying out the crucial tasks of municipal mapping, collecting data on returns to monitor progress, and to identify areas where greater assistance is required. Returns and Community Officers work alongside NGOs in the implementation of return projects in the various municipalities, coordinating with the Office for Returns and Communities. UN Volunteers assist with return cases referred by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and NGOs. Specifically, UN Volunteers help to conduct assessments, finish paperwork and generally provide assistance wherever necessary.

Once IDPs have returned to their place of origin, UNV Field Officers work to ensure that their needs are met, including the provision of basic food and shelter. Field Officers help to secure assistance from the government and local institutions, and advocate for the protection and needs of IDPs. Furthermore, Local Community Officers work throughout Kosovo to protect the interests of displaced persons by integrating them into municipal structures, and encouraging different groups to cooperate with each other. One key part of this is to visit returnee families to ensure that they are receiving the assistance of which they are entitled, and mediating disputes between parties.

Analysis and Lessons Learnt Encouraging and facilitating the return of IDPs and refugees are among the most fragile and prolonged elements of peacebuilding. Population return work requires a highly considered, long-term approach.

IDPs and refugees have the fundamental right to return to their place of origin, but their permanent and peaceful resettlement requires gaining the trust of those who have been displaced. In Kosovo, UN Volunteers helped build a trusting environment by promoting transparent procedures and maintaining the regular dissemination of unbiased information. In

addition, volunteers facilitated connections between displaced and host communities, thereby building trust between and within new communities.

Building trust was paramount to successful returns.

Support and assistance to IDPs also must extend far beyond their return home. In addition to material needs, uncertainty persists. UNV has demonstrated a dedicated approach to reintegration by deploying volunteers in a range of vital functions throughout the return process and continuing after IDPs return home.

Collaborative partnerships need to be made with local authorities and others in the community to ensure returnees have access to accommodation, public services and employment opportunities.

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CONCLUSION The case studies included in this Practice Note highlight some of the contributions volunteerism can make to peacebuilding initiatives. These contributions are often difficult to qualify and quantify, but as the above case studies demonstrate, are invariably based on core values, such as empowering others to help themselves, respect for all and building trust so that all people in a once divided society can come together to rebuild their lives. This spirit of working together is the very essence of volunteerism.

Provide a timely and thoughtful response The peacebuilding process typically begins within the context of fragile societies, characterised by hostile relations and uncertain environments, with physical and economic resources depleted and community spirit fractured or absent. Although there is a window of opportunity offered by the relative security and stability of the immediate post-conflict period, the risk of relapse into further conflict is a reality. Therefore, effective peacebuilding efforts must be timely and well planned to ensure that affected populations reap early peace dividends and can feel confident that peace agreements will not only bring stability, but also lay the foundation for a better life. Volunteers have the most impact in the immediate post-conflict period because they are willing and able to help before formal assistance materialises. Their efforts, in the early post-conflict period are essential to generate a positive spirit.

The case studies in this Practice Note highlight the range of challenges that arise during peacebuilding.

To construct an effective intervention in post-conflict societies, it is essential that UNV and other volunteer-led efforts are able and prepared to respond to the trials of peacebuilding through the

deployment and coordination of sufficient numbers of volunteers in clear and purposeful functions.

Moreover, any deployment plan must involve both local and external actors, while maintaining respect for all stakeholders, building trust early and making the intentions of peace negotiations visible from the outset by mobilizing local actors to help restore livelihoods and community infrastructure as a dividend of peace.

Strengthen local capacity The benefits of uniting international and local volunteers in peacebuilding activities should not be underestimated. An understanding of local political and socio-economic realities is as important as the influx of skills and expertise from abroad that might otherwise be lacking on the ground. It is of critical importance that the involvement and development of local volunteers remains a priority within peacebuilding endeavours, as the strengthening of local civilian capacities is fundamental to the goals of rebuilding trust, dialogue and cooperation at the community level in post-conflict societies.

In addition, a strong and competent local pool of volunteers ensures the continuation of sustainable development efforts once members of the international community have left. Volunteerism requires no massive capital investment by a society, only the mobilization of the goodwill that is usually abundant in post-conflict societies.

The work of VSO in the Philippines (Case Study 2) presents a clear and compelling model for overlapping international expertize with local competency. Volunteerism is an infectious and inspiring practice that does not require large capital outlays or investments. Volunteers, who are external and thus neutral to the conflict, can offer a wide range of the type of technical support often required for peacebuilding activities to take hold. Meanwhile, the very presence of international volunteers can

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CONCLUSION. 17

help spur local counterparts into action. However, it is important to ensure that this enthusiasm is met by skills training, knowledge enhancement and increased opportunities so that local volunteers are positioned to play a lead role in their community’s and country’s long-term development. Together the efforts of both national and international volunteers can bring a quick realization of peace dividends.

Foster linkages with grassroots organizations A key factor in mobilizing a greater number of local volunteers lies in the ability and willingness of UNV to draw upon the expertise of existing grassroots organizations. Situations of conflict and strife bring out strong-willed, creative and resourceful responses from affected communities such as Burundi’s Remesha Association (Case Study 1). However, these passionate initiatives may be unstructured or unfunded and need appropriate support.

UNV can help grassroots organizations broaden their reach and impact by offering the benefits of UNV programming, peacebuilding expertize, the human capital of UN volunteers, access to financing opportunities, and links to wider networks of support.

UNV contribution to grassroots organizations might be relatively small, but there are often substantial benefits by simply reinforcing and enhancing local efforts, such as those of the Remesha Association.

Encourage wide community participation UNV’s peacebuilding activities should engage a broad base of indigenous participants to generate a widespread sense of local ownership and a more robust commitment to peace from the community as a whole. Many countries have a strong tradition of civic engagement and voluntary action. So even though the aftermath of conflict is divisive, there is often a spirit of volunteerism that UNV and other volunteer organisations can carefully tap into during peacebuilding activities.

UNV places a strong emphasis on human capital and bringing people together. The key values of volunteerism – mutual respect, trust and cooperation - can inspire wider community participation. Each of the case studies featured in this Practice Note achieved positive results through the greater involvement of local actors and the promotion of these crucial values.

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NOTES

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UNV is administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)