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UNV Myanmar Newsletter Issue 1, May 2015
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UNV Myanmar Newsletter Issue 1, May 2015
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UN VOLUNTEERS IN MYANMAR
Assignment Completed 2014/2015
Mr. Milan Dinda, UNDP
Mr. Nikola Duvnjak, UNDP
Mr. Emmanuel Kamwi, UNDP
Ms. Anna J. Saxby, UNDP
Mr. M. Abul Kalam, UNDP
Mr. Simon Wicheng, UNDP
Mr. Darko Petrovic, WFP
3 International UN Volunteers and 4 University Volunteers being recruited
UNV Field Unit Myanmar UN Building. No 6, Natmauk Road, 11211 Yangon, Myanmar
www.unv.org 3
ingalabar! Welcome to the first UN Volunteers yanmar Newsletter
Inside this issue
News 2014/2015 4-6
VV: Social Cohesion 7
VV: Sexual Reproductive Health
8
VV: Shaping Peace 9
VV: Building Resilience 10
Letter from the Field: Kachin 11
IYD 2014 12
IVD 2014 13
Myanmar Volunteering Spirit 14-15
M UNV Myanmar Newsletter Issue 1, May 2015
Dear colleagues, friends and volunteers, It is a great pleasure for us to present this issue of the UNV Myanmar News-letter, the first ever been published. This No. 1 is mainly aimed at (as could not be otherwise) illustrating the out-standing difference International UN Volunteers are contributing to make in the country in support of UN Agencies and Programmes. En passant, we also wanted to seize the opportunity to cele-brate the achievements of our dear partners during this, our first year of working together. We all know from experience that be-ginnings are never easy. Even though the UNV Programme has been active in Myanmar since 1991 through the occa-sional fielding of volunteers, 2014 was the year when the Field Unit was finally established in Myanmar, under the auspices of the UNV Strategic Frame-work 2014-2017. Working within a com-plicated national context and with UNV going through a transformation process, we have faced many challenges and
obstacles but, thanks to hard work and the support provided by UNDP col-leagues and our Portfolio Team, we have managed to go a long way forward in this first year. Undoubtedly, new tests still lie ahead but we confront them with the confidence that only having the best team behind us could give. We put a lot of time and effort in this first issue because we wanted it to be special, to be memorable. We hope you like it as much as we did designing it. A very special mention to our Youth UN Volunteer, Agnethe Ellingsen (Norway), and our Online Volunteer Nilima Malla (Nepal) that went above and beyond to make this publication possible. Thanks for your commitment and dedication. You are living proof of the volunteer spirit. Best, The UNV Field Unit.
A Bit of Background on UNV Myanmar
UNV Programme started operations in Myanmar in 1991
Occasional fielding of UN Volunteers.
25 UN Volunteers in 2008 (13 National, 12 International)
assigned to Nargis-post relief.
In 2012, following UNDP Country Programme’s roll-out, UNV
experienced a much awaited rebirth with the fielding of 10 International UN Volunteers under UNDP.
The first UNV Field Unit was established in January 2014, man-
aging + 20 International UN Volunteer assignments.
In total, more than 80 International UN Volunteers have served
in Myanmar to date (UNDP, UNFPA, WFP, UNHCR, etc.).
More than 400 Myanmar Nationals have served as UN Volun-
teer abroad (mostly in Africa)
Currently 14 Myanmar Nationals serving abroad as UN Volun-
teers (Africa and Eastern Europe).
Programme Focus
Basic Social Services
CCR/DRR
Peace Building
Youth
Volunteer Infrastructure
UNVs in Myanmar as per May 2015
First Ever UNV Myanmar Retreat- Page 6
Meet Shunlei! Page 15 IVD 2014!!– page 12
UNV “Say Ta Na Won Htan” for Myanmar!
7
2
2
1 1
UNDP
WFP
UNFPA
UNV
OCHA
www.unv.org
UNV Myanmar Newsletter Issue 1, May 2015
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NEWS!! NEWS!!
A NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY FOR MYANMAR
As stressed in the UN World Programme of Action for Youth, the role of a National Policy on Youth is crucial in that it provides the overarching vision for all programs and activities relating to youth in one specific country. In 2014, 122 out of 198 countries had a national youth policy, up from 99 in the previous year. Myanmar is one of the 31 countries that has no national youth policy at the moment. The good news is that these numbers show that governments are increasingly aware of the need for legal and policy frameworks that respond adequately to young people’s
needs, aspirations and demands. The bad news is that, despite these advances and commitments, a number of challenges still affect the efficiency and inclusiveness of youth policies, from fragmented responsibilities for youth issues and challenged youth participation structures to the lack of reliable knowledge and absence of appropriate resources. UNV, along with other UN Agencies, is supporting the Government of Myanmar to develop and implement an inclusive National Youth Policy that will contribute to help young people to realize their full potential.
TOWARDS A DRR YOUTH VOLUNTEER NETWORK
The role of volunteerism in mobilizing and managing volunteers is an important component of any disaster risk management strategy that aims at fostering community recovery, strength and resilience in vulnerable areas. Well aware of this fact, the Myanmar Government is placing a substantial emphasis on the importance of community volunteers to reinforce their capacities in community based Disaster Risk Reduction. In this regard, the Ministry
of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement launched last year a comprehensive training schedule that has benefitted 1.300 youth volunteers (30% women) in 14 Regions and States across the country as of today. UNV, UNDP and UNICEF are working with MSWRR to better sustain this Youth Volunteer Network in accordance to our mandate. Myanmar ranks first as the 'most at risk' country in Asia the Pacific according to the UN Risk Model. Have a look at Darko’s
contribution to DRR as International UN Volunteer in Myanmar at page 9!
UNV MYANMAR IMPLEMENTING INNOVATION
ONLINE VOLUNTEERING!!!
Online volunteering does work. When the UN Volunteers team in Myanmar decided to publish its first ever newsletter, it looked for some extra help from an online volunteer in Kathmandu (Nepal). Nilima, who had previously collaborated with the UN Volunteers Nepal Field Unit on communications issues, helped out the
Myanmar team to shape this publication through a very effective collaboration with the International UN Youth Volunteer, Agnethe and UNV Programme Officer, Juan. “Nilima has been such an amazing help to make this Newsletter possible during very busy times, to contribute with her excellent skills and through her “non-UNV eyes”. That is so important because we want that EVERYBODY understands the value UNVs are adding to Myanmar and the results we deliver”, Agnethe, 70% assigned to UNFPA and 30% to UNV Field Unit in Communications and Outreach, explains. She further stresses how poor the internet infrastructure in Myanmar currently is, posing huge
challenges every day at work, but she and Nilima still managed to work together using their deep rooted volunteering spirit for making this newsletter a reality! If you would like to be an online volunteer and contribute your time and skills to a development organization that could be anywhere in the world, or your organization is looking for additional support to enhance its capacities, then please visit
www.onlinevolunteering.org ‘Everyone can make a difference. Share your skills, knowledge and ideas—from a computer anywhere in the world.’
Juan (UNV PO) in action for youth policy!
UN Volunteer Darko Petrovic (Serbia)
Myanmar connects with Nepal!
www.unv.org
UNV Myanmar Newsletter Issue 1, May 2015
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NEWS!! NEWS!!
Publications from HQ
First Study on Volunteerism in Myanmar: CUSO, Searchers and UNV!
While there has been research on volunteerism movements in the Asian region in the past, particularly in regards to youth, there has been very little formal research that has focused on Myanmar specifically. However, as we have noticed, the concept is not new to the country being volunteerism deeply rooted in Myanmar culture. As an essential part of our mandate in advocating and promoting knowledge on volunteerism, UNV and CUSO have partnered with Searchers Myanmar in order to produce the first ever Survey
on Volunteerism in the country. The objective of the Report is to promote a better understanding of volunteerism in Myanmar, in order to demonstrate the universality, scope and reach of volunteer activities along with new trends in a country with a tumultuous past and a bright future.
The report examines important
contributions of volunteerism in fields
such as sustainable livelihoods, social
inclusion, social cohesion and disaster
risk reduction. By suggesting how
volunteerism can be taken forward,
the Report will also provide an
alternative vision of a better society
where volunteers feel fully integrated.
The New UNV Strategic Framework 2014-2017
The UNV Strategic Framework 2014-2017 constitutes the first of its kind, focusing on harnessing the power of volunteers and volunteerism to support the achievement of internationally agreed goals. The Framework guides UNV’s work over the coming four years and reflects a focus on working more systematically with UN partners to jointly deliver more impact in peace and development. Have a look at it here!
UNV Youth Volunteering Strategy 2014-2017
This was great news for UNV Myanmar! Being Youth one of our 5 top priorities, this Strategy is especially relevant! The overall aim of this strategy is to facilitate the engagement of youth in global peace and sustainable human development through volunteerism, bringing the voice of youth into the development discourse and helping young people to realize their full social, economic and human potential. Have a look at it here!
Launch of Annual Report 2013: 14 Myanmar Nationals serving as UNVs worldwide!
This report highlights UNV’s partnerships and results, and attests to the commitment, creativity and talent of our UN Volunteers, UN Youth Volunteers and UN Online Volunteers for 2013 and shows the impact our UNVs are creating through their volunteering spirit all over the world. The Report 2013 reports that 14 Myanmar nationals have been deployed to international assignments, mainly to African and European countries, while receiving 12 International UNVs at the same time. Have a read here!
CUSO, UNV and Searchers Myanmar Brainstorming session.
www.unv.org
UNV Myanmar Newsletter Issue 1, May 2015
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SHARING UNV SPIRIT FOR CHANGE:
FIRST EVER
UNV MYANMAR RETREAT!
UN Volunteers on assignment in
Myanmar work within the challenging
context of a country coming out of
decades of oppression, security
concerns, human development
obstacles, weak state institutions and
unparalleled ethnic tensions. In order
to recognize their contributions and
strengthen the ties among them, the
Field Unit gathered all deployed
International UN Volunteers for a well-
deserved UNV Retreat last August.
Organized with the main objective of
extracting lessons learned and best
practices from their first year on duty,
the participants appreciated most from
the retreat the opportunity of sharing
stories, getting to know peer
volunteers and the good organization.
Not surprisingly, we find out that UN
Volunteers in Myanmar contribute to
a wide spectrum of social changes at
the institutional, community and
personal levels, including improved
access to services, strengthen
relationships with the Government and
promotion of volunteerism.
The retreat was also a time to analyze
their own performance and
achievements throughout the
assignment. This Retreat provided an
opportunity for volunteers to share
experiences amongst themselves and
to systematically reflect on the
contributions they have made in
benefit of their Host Agencies.
Our colleague from LAO PDR Field
Unit, Carla del Castillo, did a fantastic
job guiding our volunteers through the
“V-Methodology” to give the best of
themselves. And we got to spend some
time together, get to know each other
better and finally have some fun by the
pool!! It was great! Can’t wait for the
next Retreat!!
NEWS
We exchanged our experiences, knowledge and ideas on:
Peace Building Basic Social Services
CCR / DRR Youth Volunteer Infrastructure
The UNV team that participated at the first ever UNV Myanmar Retreat!
www.unv.org
UNV Myanmar Newsletter Issue 1, May 2015
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In a country such as Myanmar, contin-
uously hindered by ethnic conflicts and
social inequalities, Social Cohesion
becomes an imperative key for the
development of the country. Last
year, a group of UN Volunteers serving
under UNDP had the honor to lead a
series of Social Cohesion trainings in
different States and Regions, as part of
UNDP’s efforts to increase partners’
capacities for social cohesion. These
three-day workshops benefited 115
people from more than 30 different
Organizations. We sneaked in at one of
these trainings in Loikaw, capital of
Kayah State, where three International
UN volunteers (Moses, Milan and Niko-
la) were caught in action for social co-
hesion in Myanmar.
Nikola, a Serbian national with a long
experience on ethnic conflict related
issues with OSCE, came from Sittwe,
well-known conflict-affected duty sta-
tion in Rakhine State, to facilitate the
workshop. He stressed the importance
of participatory learning and being
able to exchange experiences from
each other’s real, daily life when it
comes down to understand what So-
cial Cohesion is all about. Indeed, it is
not an easy concept to grasp and you
could feel it during the workshop. 30
people nervously working in small
groups. Hovering over flip-charts, small
figures chatter and mutter, only inter-
rupted by laughter and good-willed
jokes, trying to accomplish the task for
the day: apply their newly acquired
skills to design a Community based
cohesion intervention within one hour.
Challenging, undoubtedly. But they all
passed the test with flying colors. The
importance of not only creating
change through their work, but being
THE change in their communities was
also an important aspect highlighted
throughout the training: ” In the past
my reactions were led by emotions,
and now, as I understand the concept
of social cohesion, I will try to under-
stand others better, especially women,
and use the concept of social cohesion
to improve and make a change. It’s
much easier than I though it would
be”, participant Khun Romuald proudly
asserted. As one of the facilitators of
the training, Moses further stressed
the importance of being an agent of
change: “ We expect them to be an
agent of change within their families,
within their society. That will automati-
cally also result in further progress and
sustainability for UNDP projects”.
The ultimate aim of the trainings was
to encourage UNDP’s partners to take
forward social cohesion in their future
work, above and beyond their ongoing
partnerships with UNDP. Based on the
evaluation of the workshop, it seems
to be quit realistic: “Out of the evalua-
tions in form of surveys and from the
observations, we can say they under-
stood the concept. We could see their
honest review on own behaviour and
values and their discussion about it.
That’s not easy and it makes that work
shop even more successful”, explains a
satisfied and proud Moses.
LEARNING TOGETHER,
CHANGING TOGETHER: UNV IN
THE LEAD OF SOCIAL COHESION
VOLUNTEERING FOR CHANGE!
“Social Cohesion is also about dream-ing. Everybody has the right to dream and should dream. To dream is the key
to development. If you don’t dream, what
would then ever change? Therefore, Social Cohesion is about everybody's
right to dream and to get the oppor-tunity to materialize them” ,
UN Volunteer Milan Dinda, UNDP.
Peace Building
Nikola Duvnjak (Serbia), during the training
Moses Tumusiime (Uganda) in action!
www.unv.org
UNV Myanmar Newsletter Issue 1, May 2015
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VOLUNTEERING FOR CHANGE!
Volunteering for “a world where every
pregnancy is wanted, every birth is
safe, and every young person's potential is
Fulfilled”
Basic Social Services
Youth
An estimated 70% of the population lives in rural areas in one of today’s low-income economies: Myanmar. That also means that most of the ap-proximately 16 million young people aged 10-24 also are living in rural are-as. Although the mandate of UNFPA is quite clear, stating “to create a world where every pregnancy is wanted, eve-ry birth is safe and every young per-son’s potential fulfilled”, it is a chal-lenge to implement this mandate in a country which has lived in isolation for
decades. The country is still dominated by social hierarchical structures, apply-ing traditional cultural approaches when it comes to gender equality and all aspects of reproductive health. The economic and social consequences related to poor reproductive health such as early marriage, unsafe abor-tion, HIV infections, STI and maternal mortality require much more atten-tion. For example, Myanmar has a very high rate of maternal mortality, and
estimated one out of three pregnant woman who die, are dying from un-safe abortions, and mainly girls aged 15-19. The International Youth UN Volunteer, Agnethe Ellingsen, was assigned to support UNFPA’s mandate in Myanmar, supporting the monitor-ing and evaluation of UNFPA’s youth programme in rural areas in both con-flict- and non-conflict areas, aiming to develop a new strategy which is adapting to the rapid socioeconomic changes, especially impacting youth, and especially rural youth, in terms of new behavior, increasing risky environ-ments and general changes of percep-tions which times of transitions are causing. That of course also includes applying more innovative approaches, for shaping the rapid changes the country and the society is currently going through. Agnethe explains about the challenge on how to communicate what negative impact for a family, a community, a State and a country, poor reproductive health has. As reproductive health is a long-term issue it is not easy to see results or impacts immediately. And here it is where UNFPA and UNV are meeting each other at crossroads: the impact of volunteerism. One of many crossroads between UNFPA and UNV is the sustainability of volunteer net-works. In UNFPA’s case, it is especially related to peer educators, conducting trainings and outreach activities relat-ed to reproductive health. One of the objectives of Agnethe’s main task, is to support the development of a new strategy which is integrating local and/or national youth volunteers in the monitoring and evaluation of UNFPA supported youth projects in rural are-as. In that way they will gain useful skills and become empowered to take
their healthy future in their own hands, by actively shaping the develop-ment of their own communities. They will become change makers! Delivering results as peer educators will bring directly results in improving reproduc-tive health in their communities and that again will benefit the country of Myanmar. Agnethe further explains that the skills they will learn as peer educators are even useful for their family businesses, in which most of rural youth volunteers are currently employed in” Young people learn how to plan, improve and measure results. It does not need to be complicated at all. It can be so simple but make such an impact. And it opens eyes of oppor-tunities”. She further explains that through UNV, as a young person, she got the chance to share, experience and contribute with her academic, professional and social skills directly on the ground, and that she knows that all the rural youth volunteers also are eager to do the same, they want to learn, contribute and share. That is also strengthening the foundation for creating an environment approachable for innovative ideas, as youth are al-ways the first ones to be open for new ideas. And they are shaping the future of Myanmar. UNV is proud to be part of this sustainable dedication and are looking forward to see UNFPA’s new youth programme in rural areas of
Youth UN Volunteers creating Innovation! The aim of employing Youth UNVs is simply that they are fresh in mind, open for ideas and are perfect for sending out in the field, such as for monitoring, evaluation and all research related tasks. With a great con-tributing from our Youth UN Volunteer, UNFPA Myanmar won a Proposal for a comprehensive Innovation Project. Trust the youth, employ youth UNVs and let the future be rocked by innovation!
“Reproductive Health is not only a Human Right, it is from my understanding the key of
all Human Rights. If the reproductive health of your mother is too poor, you won’t probably be born or die very young, if not your mother
even dies during your birth, and therefore never get the chance to make use of all the human rights you have as a human being.”
UNV Agnethe, assigned to UNFPA
Agnethe conducting focus group discus-sions at one of Mary Stopes International’s
Youth Centers
www.unv.org
UNV Myanmar Newsletter Issue 1, May 2015
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As Myanmar undergoes unprecedent-ed reforms, rule of law is emerging as a key issue. As part of its democratic governance work, UNDP has been sup-porting rule of law and access to jus-tice (ROL/A2J) activities at national level and in Mandalay Region and Shan State since 2013. UN volunteers have been playing a key role in this work from the beginning. As the Rule of Law and Access to Justice Officer for Man-dalay Region, International UN Volun-teer and Canadian lawyer Christina Beninger is responsible for the devel-
opment and implementation of the ROL/A2J program in Mandalay Region alongside her national colleagues. This work focuses on supporting the capaci-ty building of justice sector actors – judges, law officers, police and lawyers – while also promoting access to jus-tice initiatives with civil society and the wider community. Despite some chal-lenges due to the sensitivity and com-plexity of rule of law issues, the pro-gram has made some important pro-
gress. In Mandalay, this work includes supporting local justice actors with capacity building training, such as in fair trial standards and legal English, and hosting round tables on rule of law to promote knowledge sharing and dialogue. UNDP is also working closely with university law departments to strengthen clinical legal education
through practical skills training and community outreach. The Mandalay office also played a lead role in sup-porting a high-profile Rule of Law Pilot Project providing in-depth training to lawyers, law teachers and community actors in Mandalay and Lashio. As part of UNDP’s focus on women’s justice issues in Mandalay, Christina is actively supporting the development of a one year pilot project to support a civil society organization in promoting women’s access to justice. To lay the groundwork, UNDP hosted a workshop to bring together justice actors with civil society representatives to gain knowledge on women’s access to jus-tice, especially in gender-based vio-lence cases, and discuss strategies to improve responses. Christina explains that “although we are still at the early stages, the UNDP ROL/A2J program has made important steps forward in supporting rule of law both locally and nationally. “
UN Volunteers Supporting ELECTIONS,
ROL and A2J in MYANMAR
“I feel privileged to have this opportunity to contribute, through UNV, to this work during such an important time of change
in Myanmar”.
Myanmar is going through a phase of rapid and unprecedented change and the 2015 general elections will certain-ly be one of major highlights of the year. All eyes are on Myanmar and the running up to the elections since they might change the direction of the re-forms the Government started back in 2010. The work of all assigned UNVs in Myanmar might be affected by the results of the elections, although in different ways. Luckily, we have a privi-leged witness to help us better under-stand this one-in-a-lifetime event. Elec-tions are always a huge volunteer exer-cise in general, both in terms of organi-
zation and participation and one UN Volunteer is contributing with his pro-fessional and social skills to this histor-ic chapter of Myanmar history! International UN Volunteer Sylvain
Ollier (fully funded by the French Gov-
ernment and lawyer by career) has
been serving as Information Officer
under the UNDP Democratic Govern-
ance Unit in Yangon since January
2015. His main responsibility consists
in collecting information from a wide
variety of stakeholders and provide
briefings on all issues relating to the
upcoming general elections in Myan-
mar including the Constitutional Re-
view Process, technical preparations
for the elections undertaken by the
Union Election Commission, Political
Party preparations, or election obser-
vation. To carry out the work, Sylvain
has developed and maintain good rela-
tions with many different interlocu-
tors, such as Government Authorities,
international institutions or Civil Socie-
ty. In addition, Sylvain assists UNDP’s
Democratic Governance Unit in the
launching of an electoral support pro-
gramme.
The main challenge Sylvain is facing is
the lack of available information and
previous research on Myanmar’s ad-
ministrative, political, and legal frame-
works. During decades, such infor-
mation has not been widely and freely
shared with the public and only recent-
ly there has been a certain break with
the past. Having extensive experience
in election observation missions in the
Former Soviet Union, Sylvain stresses
that elections are always fascinating
and intense events, but even more so
in such a complex and diverse country
as Myanmar. “I feel very privileged to
bring, through UNV, a modest contri-
bution to this exciting process”.
These general elections will only be
the second in 25 years and their out-
come will be an important barometer
of the future political direction of My-
anmar. This is indeed an historical
event and UNV is glad to be a part of it.
VOLUNTEERING FOR CHANGE!
PEACE BUILDING
Christina Beninger (Canada) in action!
Sylvain Ollier (France) in front of the Myanmar Election Commission!
www.unv.org
UNV Myanmar Newsletter Issue 1, May 2015
10
As many of its neighbors - Myanmar is also highly vulnerable to increasing extreme weather events that, com-bined with other factors, could under-mine the resource base on which My-anmar’s economy and society are based. Between 2008 and 2013, the country suffered a terrible toll at the hands of nature that remained largely unknown. In those five years, the country suffered at least eight major natural calamities that killed more than 141,000 people and affected 3.2 million. The worst of these was Cy-clone Nargis in May 2008 that killed more than 130,000 and affected 2.4 million, not only painfully proving the need for disaster risk reduction in the
country but also creating opportunities to undertake actions at all levels to reduce disaster risks. Rakhine State in Myanmar is deemed as one of the regions at greatest risk from natural disasters in the country. World Food Programme (WFP) is the main humanitarian organization providing food assistance in the State but, additionally to the relief assis-tance, it is also implementing a wide range of asset creation activities to
help the most vulnerable populations to build common assets based on the communities’ greatest needs. Ranging from dam renovation to road construc-tion to locally replicable erosion con-trol activities, WFP provides ways to strengthen community resilience in the face of environmental shocks.
Darko Petrovic (Serbia) is an Interna-tional UN Volunteer Programme Officer responsible for one of these integrated asset creation projects that WFP is implementing in Ba Gone Nar, a village tract located in the Buthidaung Township and composed of both Rakhine and Muslim communities in the far north of the State. Following a proposal submitted by the community to the WFP Office last year, “the pri-mary problem to address is that the paddy fields used by these villages are situated in a natural flood plain that gets submerged in water throughout the rainy season reducing dramatically the plain’s arable area and, hence, undermining the communities’ liveli-hoods”, Darko explains. Therefore, the project envisaged a broadening of the existing canal structure and its strengthening by erosion control measures to reduce the incidence of flooding and enable a greater cultiva-tion and better yields of the flood affected monsoon paddy.
In a commendable exercise of owner-ship, the project discussions were led by the Administrator of the Done Chaung Village (Rakhine) jointly with village elders and community mem-bers from neighboring Muslim com-munities. “If all goes well, we envis-age increased or improved cultivation on around 200 acres of monsoon pad-dy and people from both Rakhine and Muslim communities are supposed to benefit”, underlines Darko. In a context such as Rakhine’s, where the ethnic tensions are beyond palpa-
ble, initiatives like this are aimed to promote collaboration and interaction among communities, giving a complete new meaning to community resilience.
As Darko points out, “what amazed me the most was that in a highly politi-cized and somewhat charged context of Rakhine State, you actually still can find communities where the social fabric seems to be in-tact and where people prefer cooperation to confron-tation, especially on development is-sues. The leadership of the Rakhine village administrator, his constructive interaction with both communities, and his insistence to make the project a success is very commendable and inspires hope. We need to support it.”
Asked about the sustainability and future prospects for such projects Dar-ko concludes: “These projects will only succeed if they are fully owned by both communities and the benefits are clearly defined and agreed upon to everyone’s satisfaction, we need to be very sensitive to everyone’s views. But definitely, as they are aimed to spur local development, capacity and resili-ence to shocks, they have a bright fu-ture in northern Rakhine. We will have a lot of work to do”.
BUILDING RESILIENCE
TOGETHER
“On top of the violence between Buddhists and Muslims that the region has been suffering for years, cyclones and floods
regularly cause severe destruction in the coastal towns.”
CCR/DRR
VOLUNTEERING FOR CHANGE!
Darko Petrovic (Serbia), front row on the right
corner, with Muslim and Rakkhine villagers in
their first meeting last September. On blue shirt
and red longyi, the village tract administrator.
UNV Darko, WFP, in action in Paddy
fields in Ba Gone Nar!
www.unv.org
UNV Myanmar Newsletter Issue 1, May 2015
11
People learn lessons throughout their
life, regardless of their age. I learned,
as an International UN Volunteers,
that there could be many ways to
persuade people into the streams of
peace and development if you have
their ‘recognition’. People usually
recognize a person important in many
ways; by his/her commitment and
dedication, how he/she deals with
people, where you come from etc.
The inspiration to work with the youth
in Myanmar, actually started to con-
ceive in my mind during the UNV de-
briefing at Yangon UNDP. When I just
arrived at the duty station, I started to
review the complex situation and role
of Myanmar youth, their role in the
society, their problems etc. Though you
have a Youth network, which under-
stands the challenges of youth (drugs
trade and abuse, unemployment, mi-
gration etc.), their limited abilities to
address their issues are even more
strengthened by the many gaps includ-
ing access to government support, po-
litical participation and so on.
Being a less than a 3 months old volun-
teer, I have learned that people value
you and would try to follow your steps
only when you initiate things through
creativity and novelty. My short stint
with the youth groups in Shan State
really proved to be of an effective liai-
son as our relationship made them to
rethink their organizational structures
that would get them recognition
among the masses and the govern-
ment. Youth and youth groups in the
region have this adamant perception
that its impractical to meet and build
better relationship with the govern-
ment. Youth justify themselves quoting
empirical evidence. They say that they
were never recognized!
I personally held three meetings with
the youth groups, along with col-
leagues from UNDP Output 2 who are
working with the Township Legal
Groups (TLGs) and are also aware of
the government procedures with re-
gard to Civil Society Organizations
(CSOs), and tried to link them with oth-
ers who are actively working in the
development of a Myanmar National
Youth Policy. I also facilitated a
meeting with the UNV Programme
Officer who is part of the National
Youth Policy Taskforce, in order to pro-
vide the youth groups with a clearer
understanding of the evolving and
emerging developments in the domain
of youth and development. Though the
youth in Shan state are not actively
engaged, they passed the message
through the UNV program officer, that
they have concerns that are contextual
and ethnically sensitive.
The feedback on the association of
UNV and UNDP was impressive as they
expressed that they would be mobiliz-
ing the youth groups in the whole Shan
State to have their own specific state-
ments and also would increase their
voluntary activities in the region to get
the ‘recognition’ through which they
could lobby for their needs and to voice
their concerns.
I am so excited about the coming
months, the progress, the challenges,
and especially the elections and their
impact on Myanmar youth!
Myitkina, 20.March 2015
“Recognizing Youth as The WHEEL towards Sustainable democratic CHANGE”
By: Dhaanish Mohammed (Sri Lanka) Host Agency: UNDP. Duty Station: Myitkyina (Kachin State)
A LETTER FROM THE FIELD:
Peace Building
Youth
VOLUNTEERING FOR CHANGE!
Dhaanish Mohammed (Sri Lanka). Livelihoods and Social
Cohesion Coordinator.
www.unv.org
UNV Myanmar Newsletter Issue 1, May 2015
12
Last 10th August, more than 600 stu-
dents and other enthusiastic young
people came out to the Yangon Uni-
versity to celebrate International
Youth Day (IYD), marked under the
slogan “Mental Health Matters”.
The multitudinous event -made possi-
ble through the collaboration of UN
Volunteers, the Yangon Youth Net-
work and nearly 20 other Youth-
related Organizations- was packed
with discussions on how to empower
youth towards a healthy society, giv-
ing an in-depth look into the growing
youth scene in Myanmar. A special
focus was put on how to prevent the
use of social media (Facebook, for
instance) to instigate social tensions
and other challenges faced by disa-
bled young people, young migrant
workers and young LGBT collectives.
But it wasn’t all. The celebrations
were livened up by a variety of con-
certs, games and even a talent show
organized by some of the participant
Organizations.
The first International Youth UN
Volunteer assigned to Myanmar Ms.
Agnethe Ellingsen, actively contrib-
uted to the event and supported the
UNV Field Unit team in advocating for
volunteerism.
The UNV stand was taken over by
scores of curious young people and
kept blissfully busy from the very start
to the end of the event. Not surprising-
ly, the UNV Team finally lost their voice
after having answered hundreds of
questions about UNV, its mandate
and how to become a volunteer, only
interrupted by exchange of jokes with
the young visitors and interviews by
the media covering the successful and
colorful event. Thanks to all those that
stop by our stand!!!
2014, A YEAR OF CELEBRATION!
V.I.
www.unv.org
UNV Myanmar Newsletter Issue 1, May 2015
13
TOP 5 NEWS 2014/2015 IMPACTING UNVs IN MYANMAR!
A YEAR OF CELEBRATION, 2014!
INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER DAY 2014!
The International Volunteer Day is viewed as a unique chance for volun-teers and organizations to celebrate their efforts, to share their values and to promote their work among their communities, non-governmental or-ganizations (NGOs) and United Nations agencies, government authorities and the private sector. To mark IVD2014 in Myanmar, the first being supported by the FU, 42 youth and volunteers organizations (both
national and international) came to-gether on December 7th to celebrate a Volunteer Festival in Yangon. Between 800 and 1.000 visitors had the oppor-tunity to learn more about our activi-ties and community engagement, in-teracting directly with our partner VIOs through 35 information sharing booths, allowing for informal discus-sions on volunteerism and develop-ment in a festive atmosphere in Peo-ple’s Park.
A total of 1.500.000 kyats (1.500USD) was raised by the Organizations through different activities to support children from IDP camps in Kachin and northern Shan State and many people expressed interest in continuing their support to our partners beyond IVD. As a spokesman from our partner
YBVN said: “Volunteers are unpaid, not
because they are worthless, because
they are priceless”.
“Volunteers are not paid not because they are worthless but because they are priceless”
V.I.
www.unv.org
UNV Myanmar Newsletter Issue 1, May 2015
14
Myanmar, the golden country of volunteerism
Volunteerism is a fundamental source
of community strength and resilience
that exists in all societies throughout
the world. Volunteerism is expressed
through a wide range of activities, in-
cluding traditional forms of mutual aid
and self-help, formal service delivery,
campaigning and advocacy, as well as
other forms of civic participation.
Myanmar, like most countries in the
world, has traditional forms of volun-
teerism that are closely associated
with mutual aid. The Myanmar tradi-
tional form of volunteerism is known
as “Ah-myar ah-kyo-saung, ko-ah-kyo-
aung", which if directly translated into
English, means "benefiting oneself in
serving for the benefits of others".
That’s the reason why volunteers are
highly valued and respected among
the general population. “Say Ta Na
Won Htan” , translated as
“Volunteerism”, is deeply rooted in
Myanmar culture and tradition. After
decades of isolation, the year 2014
was a special time to open the Field
Unit: a time when traditional under-
standing of volunteerism met moderni-
ty. Youth and volunteerism are our
top priorities and so the strengthening
of national volunteer networks is one
of the main goals for the UNV Field
Unit. Indeed, supporting further devel-
opment of volunteer networks and-
partnerships are now more important
than ever before so they can adjust
better to the new contexts and seize
all opportunities this new chapter will
offer them. All aspects of daily life, as
well as the economic and political con-
text, are rapidly changing in new direc-
tions, and it is sometimes a challenge
to blend the past with the present and
the future of this country. Let’s hope
Myanmar wont loose this praise-
worthy tradition
Demonstrating true volunteerism spirit,
Myanmar youth participating in the UN-
FPA supported Youth Development Pro-
gram (YDP), created a voluntary Blood
Donation Emergency Group. UNV visit-
ed the Emergency group on occasion of
INTERNATIONAL BLOOD DONATION DAY 2014 the celebration of the World Blood
Donation Day to show support to the
Group and to get to know more about
what drives these inspiring young peo-
ple. The YDP aims to reach out to
young people to increase their
knowledge of basic sexual and repro-
ductive health and motivate them to
adopt healthy lifestyles and be part of
a happy family environment. As to its
origins, the Blood Emergency Group
was created in the aftermath of cy-
clone Nargis in 2008 in response to the
shortage of blood supply and be-
tween 2009 and 2014. They provided
n impressive 148 lifesaving donations.
“We understood the need for an orga-
nized Blood Donation Emergency
Group continuing after the cyclone as
well”, Dr. Htet Aung Kyaw (26) says. He
further stresses, that “Volunteerism
and the wish to give a part of yourself
for helping others, is part of our tradi-
tion and our culture. Fortunately, we
do not have a real blood or organ do-
nation problem here in Myanmar”, he
says. However, he addresses the im-
portance of continuously promoting
donation to ensure a regular supply of
blood in case of emergency. For exam-
ple, every three years, there is a Den-
gue fever outbreak and the need for
blood donations therefore peaks at
such times. In order to adapt to these
changes in the demand and to ensure
a timely, accessible and sufficient sup-
ply of blood, they are cooperating with
other youth blood donation groups, to
ensure that supplies are maintained.
Furthermore, he explains how the YDP
is teaching the youth how to follow a
healthy lifestyle hence making it possi-
ble to become a blood donor.
V.I.
MYANMAR VOLUNTEER SPIRIT
Dr. Htet Aung Kyaw and his team, YDP, pre-sented their Blood Emergency Group!
www.unv.org
UNV Myanmar Newsletter Issue 1, May 2015
15
MYANMAR VOLUNTEER SPIRIT
V.I. ACTING FOR CHANGE!
“GIRL VOLUNTEER
POWER”!
Shunlei is currently Education Project
Manager serving at the youth-led and
youth-focused volunteer organization
Voluntary Internship Program, founded
by herself and other young people to
work on volunteerism and promote
young people as active, informed and
responsible citizens. Today, her volun-
teerism is contributing directly on policy
level, addressing youth issues and right
for youth in Myanmar, representing her
country in a range of forums worldwide,
such as the Youth Policy Forum 2014 in
Baku, Azerbaijan, supported by UNV. Shun-
lei is one of those volunteers who are vol-
unteering because they are addicted to
volunteerism. She cites James Matthew
Barrie’s words, saying “Those who bring
sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep
it from themselves”. The reason why she
especially focuses on youth in her volun-
teering, is because she IS a youth, and
“youth is a motor of change, not only agent
of change, and a motor needs dynamic
movements”, she says, while referring to
the huge amount of young people in Myan-
mar, estimated to around 30% of the total
population. “I volunteer to take responsi-
bility for the affluence that has been
given to me. We must exert ourselves in
order to give in the same measure as we
have received and are still receiving from
our community and from the world”. When
it comes to the volunteerism itself in Myan-
mar, Shunlei is clear that also here changes
are needed. She explains that volunteerism
in Myanmar needs to become more out of
intrinsic motivation from oneself, and not
from somebody who told them to volun-
teer or just volunteering because friends
are volunteering. Moreover, she points out
the generation gap of attitude. “Currently
volunteers can be divided into two groups:
Firstly, kind-hearted well-wishers, drivers
for humanity and secondly, those who
work for their academic reference or for
career development. The first type was the
common understanding of the past dec-
ades. Now in this age of technology and
contemporary education age, among all
competitive living styles, the later one is
too frequent. And it needs to be changed!
….WE ASKED THE GIRLS… How can UNV support
national volunteerism in Myanmar?
INCREASING LIVELIHOODS
THROUGH SOCIAL COHESION
Lu Lu Aye was one of the most dedicated
participants at the UNDP workshop on
Social Cohesion, organized and facilitated
by UN Volunteers in the capital of Kayah
State, Loikaw. Just until recently, Loikaw
had hardship duty station status, based on
the armed ethnic conflicts in Kayah State.
Through her volunteering work she gained
a lot of skills which she is bringing back to
her organization and especially to her
community, ranging from reporting skills
to rice planning, from project planning and
development to social cohesion, and gives
an wonderful example on how her volun-
teering commitment and the skills she
gained through it, directly are making an
impact in her community: In her village,
there are mainly two ethnic groups who do
not like each other. UNDP provided 125
000 USD for road construction in the vil-
lage, and her NGO had a discussion on how
to distribute the money. However, the two
ethnic groups argued against each other to
have all money alone by themselves. She
used her skills and negotiated with both
sides, which led to the distribution of the
money based on the ethnic groups size
which then resulted in the construction of
two roads. The community was very happy
about Lu Lu Ayes skills and contribution
and committed that much trust to her that
she is responsible at the next project,
which will on rice plant training, to take the
lead. That alone was not only a success. Lu
Lu Aye explained that through the social
cohesion training she learned from UNDP,
how she will use the social cohesion skill
son the next project, aiming the imple-
mentation of one project together instead
of two based on ethnic size, as that would
be based on exactly what social cohesion
is!
“All mankind addicts at least one thing in
their life. I volunteer because I want to
volunteer. That’s because I am addicted to
something precious, volunteerism, and it is
a drug we can never get rid of.”
1. UNV can work on advocating for volunteerism policy works such as advocating universities to run volunteer centers. 2. UNV can play as key organizer of volunteerism-themed youth events and with volunteerism aware-ness agenda at many different youth events. 3. UNV can support youth volunteer groups to be sustainable and assist with technical and financial supports with mentorship role. 4. UNV can connect young strong national volunteers to international youth volunteers and let them ex-change the strategy, tactics and approaches of pro-moting volunteerism.
Lu Lu Aye, one of the dedicated youth volun-teers working with UNDP implementing part-ners
Shunlei, one of the dedicated young na-tional females UNV is supporting!
www.unv.org
UNV Myanmar Newsletter Issue 1, May 2015
16
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all those that have supported the
work of the UNV Field Unit and UN Volunteers in Myanmar during this time, contributing to
achieve the results highlighted in this Newsletter:
UNV Host Agencies in Myanmar: UNDP, WFP and UNFPA.
Nilima Malla (Nepal), Online Volunteer for Design and
Layout
Our Portfolio Team (Rafael and Naroth) at UNV HQ in Bonn
Our UNDP colleagues in Yangon.
All our amazing UN volunteers across the country, who
have rocked this amazing first year of the UNV
Field Unit!!
Our local partners: Yangon Youth Network, Yangon-based
Volunteer Network and Searchers Myanmar, for helping us
understand how volunteerism can improve other’s lives.