United Nations Volunteers Programme (UNV)
Underlines Importance of People Power

8 December 2011

 

The Peace Pole on Lange Street. Source: Vantage Point Photography

In Trinidad and Tobago, the UNV Field Unit with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) joined forces with the Pride in Gonzales Project in Belmont to showcase the numerous volunteer efforts in the community through a symbolic Planting of a Peace Pole which was held on Sunday 4th December 2011. In addition to this volunteers shared their experiences and achievements in community development.

 

Dr. Jens-Ulrich Poppen, UNV Programme Officer at UNDP stressed that volunteers involved in the Gonzales Action Committee were making significant contributions towards peaceful resolution of conflicts, skills-development, counselling and the constructive engagement of young people in after-school activities, something that has a direct impact on the levels of intra- and inter-communal violence and on the development of positive attitudes among residents.

 

“We are celebrating people in the community that have made a tremendous difference for the quality of life in their neighbourhood”, Poppen added, “every day heroes who feel responsible for what goes on out there in their community, who are not asking for remuneration, rewards and glory but who simply care about their next door neighbour and who are concerned about the well-being and security of their fellow citizens.

 

Various representatives of community organisations that jointly form the Gonzales Action Committee addressed the audience, and musical entertainment was provided by Sheiker’s Steelband. IVD also marked the official end of this year’s anniversary campaign of the International Year of the Volunteer (IYV+10) while at the same time providing the launch pad for the State of the World Volunteerism Report (SWVR).

 

Photos: Vantage Point Photography and Gianluca Giuman

 

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