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August 2009
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THIS MONTH'S TOPICS
1. FROM THE SERVICE: UNV Online Volunteering Award 2009: Nominations now open
2. EXPERIENCE: ‘Humanizing Development’ Global Photography Campaign: online volunteers make it happen
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1. FROM THE SERVICE: UNV Online Volunteering Award 2009: Nominations now open
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is calling for nominations for the UNV Online Volunteering Award 2009, which will be presented to ten online volunteers or teams of online volunteers for their contributions to peace and development. The online collaboration must date back less than two years, and must have been facilitated through the UNV Online Volunteering service. The winners of the award will be announced on International Volunteer Day, 5 December 2009.
The purpose of this award is to recognize online volunteers’ contributions to peace and development, to showcase the many ways in which online volunteers can strengthen the capacities of development organizations, and to demonstrate the difference volunteers can make to development projects by sharing their time, skills and expertise over the Internet. Following UNV’s theme for International Volunteer Day (IVD) on 5 December, ’Volunteering for our planet’, one of the ten awards will go to a volunteer or a volunteer team who supported an environmental project.
Nominations may be submitted until 13 September 2009. For detailed information and to access the nomination form, please go to About the Award.
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2. EXPERIENCE: ‘Humanizing Development’ Global Photography Campaign: online volunteers make it happen
The Brazil-based International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth (IPC-IG) of the United Nations Development Programme has launched the ‘Humanizing Development’ Global Photography Campaign. The campaign, which calls for global participation in a photography contest, aims to showcase examples of people winning the battle against poverty, social exclusion and marginalization.
“Development is often portrayed through images of desolation and despair, despite the immense number of initiatives, programmes, ideas and partnerships that are changing the lives of millions of people throughout our developing and transitional world,” says Francisco Filho, the campaign’s coordinator. “The campaign was launched in order to raise awareness of these global successes in the development process and share innovative and successful actions. The collaboration of fifteen committed online volunteers made it happen.”
Thanks to the team of online volunteer translators, the campaign website, developed by online volunteer Rosie Ojo, a software engineer based in the UK, is available in all UN languages and Portuguese, and the press releases and news are globally disseminated in seven languages. The outreach team is getting started to mobilize strong global public support for the campaign through social and other media, blogs and videos.
“Working with such a dynamic and enthusiastic group of volunteers from so many different parts of the world brought energy and fresh ideas to the campaign. The contributions by online volunteers were decisive for the campaign’s success,” concludes Francisco Filho.
The campaign’s winning pictures will be presented in a photo gallery at the IPC-IG office and will be open to the public. In addition, a series of photo exhibitions will be organized in several cities around the world.
Here are a few testimonies from the online volunteer translation team:
Neil Bailey, U.K., M.A. in Social Anthropology of Development, Area Manager Middle East, Africa & the Americas for the Institution of Civil Engineers: I found this a very interesting concept, particularly in the way that it highlights issues surrounding international development to a wider audience of both professionals and amateurs around the world.
The translation work was a really interesting challenge, which required a lot of online research and allowed me the opportunity to stretch my skills, not only in terms of language but also in the wider concepts and issues involved. It was great seeing the project develop and knowing that I was part of a wider international team all supporting this project around the world. It was also fantastic to see so many other committed volunteers all contributing their own specific skills to allow this project to happen.
Karla Castelar Castillo, El Salvador, M.A. in International Relations, employed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: As idealistic as it may sound, I have always wanted to collaborate with all possible good causes as the result of having seen pictures of war prisoners and refugees around the world, and of having witnessed certain injustices in my own country as a little girl. Thus, it becomes a natural thing for me wanting to help, even if in the smallest of amounts, but help nonetheless.
Contributing to IPC-IG’s translations meant reading more and knowing more about the countries around the world that need the most assistance. I have been able to enlarge my knowledge regarding the truly difficult situation of many people around the world and the difficulties they find to be provided with fundamental human needs.
I have sent a copy of the campaign link to almost everyone I know and have sent e-mails letting them know it is a great opportunity to put another tag in Latin American maps showing El Salvador and its people’s capacity.
Virginie Lochou, France, M.A. in Editorial, Economic and Technical Translation in French, English and Spanish, B.A. in Cinematographic and Audiovisual Studies, working as professional translator: At a time when global exchanges are constantly increasing, it is essential to make sure that the worldwide community is aware of development issues. To this effect, photography is a great medium: I believe that strong images will perfectly illustrate reports on development issues and, if used by them, be able to send a strong message to people who do not have the time or the possibility to study full reports. It may appear contradictory for a translator but I do believe in the saying: "A picture is worth a thousand words".
It is a great pleasure to work with the IPC-IG team that was available to answer queries and is sending us updates on the campaign. I really feel involved and that our work is valued.
Claudia Jardim Verdolin D´Abreu, Brazil, Specialist in Law, International Relations, Governance and Development, Human Rights Consultant: I am passionate about human rights and a lover of the arts - I believe it is an amazing tool for advocacy and enabling transformational change. I am a strong believer in development efforts and the mission of the global campaign on Humanizing Development is close to my heart.
Also, I find volunteering a very enriching and rewarding experience as I learn new things while I invest my skills in programmes that are important and that I believe in. Volunteering online joins the best of both worlds as I get to use my skills when I can and from where I am. I would advise everyone to invest their time in volunteering as it is an amazing experience.
I’ve learnt to better organize my time in order to try to get the documents back to the organization as fast as possible. I’ve learnt new terms in the area of development and journalism. I’ve also learnt new skills on website building and maintenance, which I always wanted to learn.
I found the opportunity to work with the IPC-IG and the campaign team members fantastic. Its members are wonderful and I look forward to an opportunity of volunteering my services again.
Jin Huang, China, currently pursuing a Master's degree in Strategic Public Relations at the University of Southern California, USA: From the first year of my classes, I've developed a strong interest in public relations for non-profit organizations and NGOs. A week before I found out about the UNV Online Volunteering service, for my media strategy class, I just turned in a UN public education campaign proposal, in which I conceived a series of social media campaigns under the theme of "the United Conversations/People/Ideas/Spirits." So you can imagine how thrilled I was when I discovered a real-life UN social media campaign that I could actually contribute to!
Having spent my previous 20 years growing up in mainland China, I applaud IPC-IG for the Humanizing Development Global Photography Campaign. As a witness of the tremendous changes taking place in every aspect of our society, such as citizen's living standards, civic engagement, leisure life and city constructions, I am proud to share with the others our fruitful journey in development so far.
As of my work so far, I've had the honour to translate the complete Chinese version of the campaign Web site, press releases, internal documents and so forth. To me, especially as a public relations student, this is a valuable asset which gained me precious insights into the both strategic and tactical side of a global campaign held by UNDP IPC-IG.
Last but not least, I enjoy working with Mr. Filho and the IPC-IG team very much! In terms of work, they are productive and organized; in terms of coordinating us, the volunteers, they are patient and genuine. I can't thank them enough for the wonderful opportunity!
Ibrahim Shaikh Ali, Sudan, currently living in Great Britain, former Head of the Languages United Nation’s International Independent Investigation Commission (UNIIIC) in Beirut, Lebanon: I would like to describe myself as an internationalist who thrives on multiculturalism. My main motivation for supporting the IPC-IG is that I’m strong believer in voluntary work and I see it as one way of paying our moral dues and obligations to our societies in an increasingly materialistic and egoistic world. Besides, voluntary work is not in fact a free work you render to the recipient organization or individual but an experience that brings with it all the attributes of a full time fully paid work, if not more. To me, knowing, mixing and communicating with different people from all over the globe, is an invaluable experience people should pay to have.
What I have learnt from my experience with the IPC-IG? A lot. Apart from the inner self-satisfaction that I’m doing something that would benefit millions of disadvantaged people worldwide, I have learnt many things from the incredible Mr. Francisco Filho and his team on communication matters, a discipline that I have found myself attached to and that I have been doing for a long time. I have also learnt a few things on campaigning matters. Indeed, I’m privileged to have been given the opportunity to serve the IPC-IG which is doing a great job: helping developing societies to help themselves. Thank you.
