Promoting Volunteerism for Peace and Development

30 . PROMOTING VOLUNTEERISM FOR PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT■ Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) – the localpopulation can be mobilized to contributemanual labour, for example, to facilitateprojects such as the rehabilitation ofschools, health centres and orphanages.You can also take advantage of the manyresources that are available at no costwithin your mission to support volunteeractivities; these resources might include:In Liberia, UN Volunteers haveorganized advocacy campaigns topromote volunteerism as a means tostrengthen national peace-buildingefforts and contribute to development.For example, in November 2006, UNVolunteers attached to the UnitedNations Mission in Liberia organized abrainstorming session attended by 130students from Monrovia‘s fouruniversities to introduce the concept ofa National Youth Volunteer Service(NYVS) programme in Liberia. Throughthe NYVS programme, Liberian youthcan contribute to national reconstructionand development. According to IlariaCarpen, UNV Programme Officer inLiberia, since that first session, theNYVS programme has expandeddramatically, with recent eventsattracting 1,500 student volunteers.■ Transportation from the TransportSection;■ Access to radio broadcasts from thePublic Information Section;■ Use of podiums, gazebos or tents fromthe Engineering Section;■ Engaging off-duty UN peacekeepers inlocal welfare or community-basedprojects.K A UN Volunteer on assignment in Liberia consultswith Pakistani troops.