Promoting Volunteerism for Peace and Development

DURING YOUR ASSIGNMENT . 23L UNV Doctors in TrinidadDr. Onuoha Clement, a surgeon whoserved as a UN Volunteer in thesurgery department of Sangre-GrandeHospital in Trinidad and Tobago,organized an extremely successfulWalk Against Child Hunger. Speakingfor both himself and fellow physiciansserving as UN Volunteers, he said that“we were happy to have demonstratedthat our volunteer calling is not limitedto our professional assignments asmedical doctors. Rather, when theneed arises, volunteers can work andwalk the walk too. If this is notvolunteerism, then what else is?“Over the page are some additionalobservations and suggestions onimplementing volunteerism for peace anddevelopment throughout yourassignment.Building up organizational capacityWhere traditions of volunteerism seemless apparent (due to a recent conflict, forexample), there may be a need to helpstrengthen an existing volunteer groupthat may not be functioning to its fullpotential. You could try to help build upthe capacity of this local volunteerorganization so that it will be able tomobilize volunteers more effectively,undertake initiatives with confidence and