The significant features of UNV's presence in Botswana have been the following:
- a special contribution, noted for the spirit of solidarity and partnership, to a wide range of technical cooperation activities;
- varying flexibility in working with national counterparts and development partners;
- intensive support to community-based participatory development, especially among low-income groups;
- proactive promotion of volunteer efforts such as: HIV/AIDS, promotion of gender equality, poverty alleviation and environmental management;
- provide a flexible response, including the use of mixed teams of international and national UNVs; and
- effective support to humanitarian aid programmes such as care and maintenance of refuges in Botswana.
National UN Volunteer (NUNV) Scheme in Botswana
One significant development in the UNV Programme has been the recent setting up of a National UN Volunteer (NUNV) scheme in Botswana. Through this scheme, the UNV Programme maximizes local talents and knowledge for building and strengthening community and national capacities. The NUNV scheme has been viewed as both an innovative and effective approach to harness the use of qualified nationals to promote national volunteerism and national volunteer contributions to development and humanitarian efforts in the country.
Following an overwhelming response from development partners, a National UNV Steering Committee was established to (1) provide guidance to Government, the UN system, NGOs and CBOs in the identification and effective use of UNVs in the national context and (2) review the organization's approach in light of the human resource requirements of the country. The NUNV Steering Committee's membership comprises the UNDP Resident Representative or Deputy Resident Representative, four government ministries (Health, Education, Labour and Home Affairs and Local Government, Lands and Housing), World University Service of Canada (WUSC), Women's NGO Coalition, Botswana Confederation of Commerce, Industry and Manpower (BOCCIM) and UNV (represented by the UNV Programme Officer).
Following the finalization of the Conditions of Service (COS) for National UNVs in Botswana, recruitment commenced with 7 NUNVs, the majority of whom are serving as National UNV District AIDS Advisors under the National AIDS Programme. The UNV Programme is looking forward to the recruitment of more NUNVs for UNAIDS, UNFPA, the National AIDS Programme and Support for the National Gender Programme.
How do I become a National UNV? [download CV application here]*
International Year of Volunteers (IYV) 2001 in Botswana
In November 1997, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 2001 as the International Year of Volunteers (IYV) with the aim of increasing recognition, facilitation, networking and promotion of volunteerism. IYV 2001 will provide a unique opportunity to highlight the achievements of volunteers worldwide and to encourage more people to engage in volunteer activities. The year hopes to provide valuable framework and establish a favourable environment for growth and strategic use of volunteer contributions.
In Botswana, the celebration of IYV 2001 has come around with landmark achievements as a UN member state committed to uphold the spirit of volunteerism. IYV 2001 was launched nationally on 5 December 2001 at YWCA with the First Lady, Mrs. Barbara Mogae, gracing the occasion as Honourary Member to the National IYV 2001 Committee. The Committee, set-up preceding a national workshop on volunteerism, has left no stone unturned in carrying out volunteer-related activities that the members have reflected in its work plan for the year's celebration. A follow-up national workshop on volunteerism was organized by the Committee on May 2001 which allowed various representatives of the community and volunteer-based institutions to gear up and review the best practices and procedures for national replication.
Apart from the visit of the UN Eminent Person for IYV 2001, Mr. Jerry John Rawlings, who visited Botswana to extend support to volunteers in their fight against HIV/AIDS, the Naitonal Committee continued to join hands with volunteer agencies and other development partners in pushing forward the message of volunteerism in the country. The Committee had and will continue to serve as an excellent mechanism to propagate the traditional forms of volunteer service in a more concrete manner and stress the importance of networking between and amongst sectors of society towards a proactive and dynamic partnership. It is hoped that the year's celebration, will make everyone remember that voluntary service (called for more than ever before), would be able to tackle areas of priority concern in the country's economic, socio-cultural and social development.
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