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IYV News Vol.1 A publication of the Caribbean Network for Integrated Rural Development (CNIRD) June 2001

This is our first Newsletter!

CNIRD is pleased to bring you our first newsletter for this year - the International Year of Volunteers or IYV 2001. It's late in coming, we know, but we hope it's worth the wait. In this premier issue, we give you a brief update on all our activities and what else is going on in Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean region to celebrate IYV. But first, an introduction. In the period since the National Launch of IYV 2001 on 5 December 2000 on the Brian Lara Promenade in Trinidad, work began on implementing the activities outlines for Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean region to celebrate the Year. At this time, three major projects are running concurrently. These are the National/Regional Primary and Secondary School Competitions, regional research on the status of volunteerism and the establishment of a Caribbean Volunteer Foundation. Alongside these activities, the Secretariat also engaged in public and media relations to spread the message of IYV 2001 to NGOs and CBOs as well as to the general public.

"Vision of a Better World"

This is the theme chosen for the National/Regional Secondary School Competition. The object here is for a class to create a mural or wall hanging, to be house on the school premises or those of a building in the community.  The primary students, also working by class, are required to perform a voluntary activity and then write a report or essay on the experience. The title of the report is "What we Have Done for Our Community". Both contests are well and truly underway, with young people in Trinidad and Tobago, St. Kitts, Guyana and Jamaica feverishly working towards the 1 October 2001 deadline. National prizes include computers and books while the winning schools on the regional level will travel to the United Nations Headquarters in New York for a brief visit. The Secretariat is still sourcing prize money, certificates and other goodies for the children so if you would like to contribute in any way, please let us know.

Caribbean Volunteer Foundation

This initiative is to be one that lasts long after 2001. The aim is to set up an institution that is specifically geared towards the volunteer movement.  National IYV Committees in all the Caribbean territories will be encouraged to set up National Volunteer Bureaus in each state. These Bureaus will collect information on potential volunteers - their skill, availability and areas in interest - which will be placed into a database that is used to source volunteers for organizations. The individual Volunteer Bureaus will then form the members of the Caribbean Volunteer Foundation. The Foundation will be responsible primarily for fund raising and advocacy on behalf of all volunteers and voluntary organizations. For information on how to constitute a National Volunteer Bureau in your country, please contact the Secretariat.

Regional Volunteer Research

As much as all the volunteers in the Caribbean contribute to society, this effort has never been studied, documented or celebrated in a grand way. This is the impetus behind the intention to conduct a survey on the status of volunteers in the region. Once completed, we will have concrete data on how many people volunteer, in what areas, for how many hours a week and what volunteers lack in their workplaces. Armed with this information, we will be better placed to lobby for better funding and policy change that will positively affect the work environment of NGOs, CBOs and volunteers alike. The Secretariat has brought on board a professional from the Central Statistical Office in Trinidad to assist with the formulation of rationale, methodology and questionnaire design. We've also sought information from other countries that have conducted similar research so that we don't go and reinvent the wheel.

Feature Article

In each issue of IYV News, we will feature an article that has appeared in one of the Caribbean press regarding IYV 2001 or volunteer activity in general. The excerpt below comes from Trinidad and Tobago's Daily Express - Wednesday April 25, 2001 - which featured volunteerism in its editorial.

 

VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME AND TALENT

We applaud the United Nations Association of Trinidad and Tobago for its sponsoring of a local volunteerism drive. The drive follows the United Nations naming 2001 as the year of the volunteer, and entails a strategy of involving young professionals, professionals in training, and other interested parties in activities which address the most trying issues facing us today - the eradication of poverty, the environment, gender issues and social violence. The UN's policy statement describes a volunteer as "one who rarely makes headlines but has immense impact; who pulls communities together by helping those in need, who promotes self-help initiatives and worthy causes". In our world, beset by the values of materialism and where self-promotion is now an acceptable tactic to ensure one's success, this is like a breath of fresh air. It is also a reminder that while few get their names in the paper and their faces on television, the great mass of work done in every field of endeavour is done by those unseen and unrecognised. The reward of these people is frequently a sense of satisfaction that they have contributed to something worthwhile, and this is a powerful antidote and worthy to the culture of celebrity and vanity, which obtains today.  It would certainly do these young people, from whose numbers the leaders of industry and politics will conceivably emerge, to gain some experience in compassion and altruism. The spread of these values in the upper management and political echelons of our society, apart from being a welcome change to the present dispensation, would almost certainly bring about tremendous changes of our institutional culture of our country. We certainly encourage young people and old to give freely of their time and talent to this most worthwhile of endeavours. But the skills and experience of earlier generations should not be forgotten or discounted.  We are also aware that what must underlie altruism is solid finance. There are several companies in the country, like the banks and phone company, which post record profits yearly, and whose public profiles are less than pristine. This is an excellent opportunity for those institutions to donate generously and support this initiative. The involvement of the executives of these companies might also bring an appreciation of what happens outside their air conditioned offices, and how the man on the street is affected by their decisions from on high, This might be infinitely more valuable than studies and benefit us all in the end.

IYV News Vol.2 A publication of the Caribbean Network for Integrated Rural Development (CNIRD)July 2001

Under the Distinguished Patronage of …

WE are pleased to announce that Their Excellencies Arthur N.R. Robinson, T.C., O.C.C., S.C., Hon. Fellow, St. John's College Oxford, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and Mrs. Robinson have agreed to lend their distinguished patronage to IYV activities in our twin island state.  This momentous occasion was brought about through a private audience with National United Nations Volunteer, Natasha Nunez, who put forward the idea to His Excellency recently. Given the concern His Excellency has shown to issues of this nature, he graciously accepted the offer to be patron of IYV activities in Trinidad and Tobago. Their Excellencies have lent their prestigious offices to several causes involving volunteers including the Girl Guides and Boys Scouts Associations, Friends of the POS General Hospital and Habitat for Humanity.  As such, we are honoured to have their participation in this global celebration of volunteer contribution to society.

World Leader's Build

This year, as part of its 25th anniversary celebrations, Habitat for Humanity (HFH) will sponsor the World Leader's Build during the period 5 -11 August, 2001.  This will be a worldwide building event during which houses will be constructed in various locations throughout the 68 countries in the Habitat network. The local affiliate has decided to build one house in Guaico, Sangre Grande. In keeping with HFH principle of partnership, the selected family, other affiliate members and volunteers will take the leadership role in building this house. So on behalf of HFH, we invite those of you in Trinidad to volunteer your time and participate in the Build on Friday 10 August 2001.

Contact Ms. Frances Lakatoo or Ms. Kathleen Sarkar at 675-1222 for more information. Everyone else can contact their local Habitat office for information on events where you are.

World Environment Day in Guyana

In the thrust to promote volunteerism during this year as well as World Environment Day on June 5, The Guyana Environment Protection Agency (EPA) organized a "Green Walk" around the city of Georgetown. Volunteer organizations as well as UN Volunteers participated in the Walk.  That wasn't the only Walk though. In the town of Linden, a group called FREED - Friends Restoring Economic and Educational Development, joined several other organizations in a walk through town. This activity stirred a keen interest among young people about the environment and they now plan to start environmental clubs and explore eco-tourism projects. Also, 16 June 2001, volunteers engaged in a Sea Wall Cleanup, organized by the Volunteer Service Organisation (VSO). Over 90 volunteers collected 250 bags of rubbish in about six hours. The Guyanese Minister of Health and the UNDP Resident Coordinator were among those who got their hands dirty in that clean up exercise.

International Symposium on Volunteering

THE International Symposium on Volunteering (ISV) carded for 18 - 21 November 2001 in Geneva, Switzerland, will enable those involved in volunteerism to evaluate experiences and lessons learned throughout the IYV 2001.  The Symposium is being organized by International Conference Volunteers (ICV), and is under the patronage of the Swiss National Committee for IYV 2001 and the United Nations Volunteers (UNV). Several other agencies are assisting to coordinate the activity. Delegates from around the world will present their volunteer projects. These presentations will form the basis for a Symposium Report, which will be published in book and CD-ROM formats, and serve as an important contribution to the report to be presented to the United Nations General Assembly in 2002 on the IYV 2001. Furthermore, the Symposium will allow all parties to be involved to prepare and coordinate future volunteer action. For more information on this Conference, visit the website: www.icvolunteers.org or email: info@icvolunteers.org

Feature Article

In this month's issue of IYV News, we feature an article about a popular volunteer activity held in Trinidad that appeared in the Trinidad Guardian on 16 July 2001. The Secretariat fully supports these kinds of events and extends its heartiest congratulations to KIND for a job well done!

THOUSANDS TURN UP AT THIRD KIDSFEST

Around 1300 children, almost 300 of them underprivileged, organisers estimated, enjoyed the live entertainment, lip sync/dance competitions and novelty booths at the third Kidsfest yesterday at the Queen's Park Oval. Former First Lady Zalayhar Hassanali, who arrived around 4:15 pm, was among the more than 1,200 adults there. Hassanali is one of the patrons of KIND (Kids In Need of Direction), the charity which has been organising the event since 1999 to raise funds to pursue their mandate of helping children in need. Another patron, First Lady Patricia Robinson, was unable to attend, KIND Chairperson Karina Jardine-Scott said yesterday. Jardine-Scott said the festival has been gaining more attention every year. The first year's attendance was around 1,400, the second 2,300, she said. She said although this year's tally was around 3,000 when she spoke to the Guardian yesterday, she expected the final count to be higher. Joy-Margaret Samaroo, senior social worker in KIND's Social Work Department, said 400 tickets, bought by corporate sponsors, were distributed to children's homes across Trinidad. These included St. Dominic's in Belmont and Arima, the Lady Hochoy, Happy Home in La Brea, Christ Child Convalescent and the foster home in Woodbrook, Samaroo said. Jardine-Scott estimated that at least 70 per cent of these tickets were used. She added that over 4,000 prizes were donated to be given away. Many of the attractions, including a haunted house, petting zoo and bouncy castles, were rented at discount prices, Jardine-Scott said.  Fifty volunteers helped KIND put on the event, including MCs George Gonzalez, Don La Foucade and Natacha Jones, she added. The money raised will go towards KIND's "Sponsor a Child to Learn" initiative, Jardine-Scott said.  -Erline Andrews

IYV News Vol.3 A publication of the Caribbean Network for Integrated Rural Development (CNIRD) August 2001

Community Meetings

As part of our thrust to engage rural communities in the celebration of the International Year of Volunteers, CNIRD is embarking on a second round of community meetings in all the 8 districts in Trinidad and Tobago.  We visited 2 areas in August - Caroni and Sangre Grande. The presentation at Caroni - the heart of the sugar industry in Trinidad and Tobago - formed part of a Community Council election meeting. The group, which represented a number of villages in the area numbered approximately 25 and was very gracious in receiving Natasha Nunez, UN Volunteer.  Caroni is one of the districts that will host its own award ceremony for volunteers in the area. This is in preparation for the National Volunteer Awards Ceremony to be held on International Volunteer Day - 5 December 2001.  We met a similar sized group in Sangre Grande who, with assistance from the Community Empowerment Office, will nominate volunteers, for the National Awards, who they believe have given long outstanding service to the community. Still to come on the community meeting agenda are the districts of Victoria East (September 15), Victoria West (September 29), and St. George East and West.

School Competitions

IYV 2001 is for everyone, especially young people. As such, the IYV Secretariat is hosting school competitions on a national and regional level. A student of Exchange Presbyterian School displaying a part of their project for the IYV Primary School competition 'What We Have Done for Our Community". It's not too late to enter - the deadline to submit entries is October 26 - so hurry and send them in. If you don't have guidelines or entry forms, let us know and we'll get them to you right away. Don't let this opportunity pass you by!

National Volunteer Awards

You still have time to nominate your choice for the IYV Regional Secretariat's National Volunteer Awards carded for 5 December 2001, which is celebrated worldwide as International Volunteer Day. The deadline for submission of nomination forms is 2 November 2001.  This event will be the first in what we expect to be an annual ceremony recognizing volunteers for the contribution they have made to their communities, and by extension their country.  We're looking for volunteers who have worked in a variety of fields over the years and have contributed significantly to the development of the organization, community or nation at large. You can obtain entry forms from CNIRD by snail mail, fax or e-mail. This is your chance to truly say thank you to a volunteer that has done well.

International Young Professionals Summit 2001

The second IYPS is to be held on 2-6 October 2001 in Brisbane, Australia and is running alongside the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) being hosted in the same city.  This is an opportunity for young professionals from across the world to discuss strategies for improvement in the following four major themes: poverty, sustainability, social capital and environment. Seven sub-themes will also be debated. These include: housing and infrastructure, fresh water, communications, appropriate technology, food and agriculture, population and health, aid and trade, fresh water, transport and education. National UN Volunteer, Natasha Nunez, will be representing Trinidad and Tobago and by extension, the Caribbean region at this important Summit. She will present a paper on volunteerism, focusing on how it is manifested in the region and how its formalization and structuring can enhance its impact on society. She views her participation in this event as a step towards making volunteerism a priority concern of Caribbean Commonwealth leaders, as the Summit resolutions will be presented to the CHOGM. She would be very interested to hear what other young professionals have to say on this topic in particular as well as any other Summit themes.  You can visit the IYPS website: www.iyps.org for further information or contact Natasha directly at 662-6473.

Feature Article

This month we feature a something a little different. I'm sure you can complete the popular adage 'From the mouth of babes…' Well, we bring to you a piece written by the students of St. Joseph Convent, Port-of-Spain who participated in the Royal Bank Young Leaders Project. It the introduction in a booklet specially created for the project, which had a regional scope.

The Young Leaders Group 2001 of St. Joseph's Convent carried out the Green Thumb Project and we were greatly inspired by this simple interpretation of Volunteerism:  "The most powerful thing you can do to change the world is to change your own beliefs about the nature of life, and begin to act accordingly." Shakti Garwin We established that, to do our best in this effort, we needed to educate ourselves on the preservation of plant life. Thankfully, through Molly Gaskin of the Wild Fowl Trust, Point-a-Pierre, a lecture and forest walk were organized. After this, a site visit to the Fondes Amandes Community Reforestation Project was arranged. We received a donation from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry Division of 600 trees for planting in Fondes Amandes. We undertook a tree-planting exercise on two occasions, the 18th and 19th November 2000. We were unable to plant 200 trees and established a nursery with 400 trees. We contacted the CFCA (Caribbean Forest Conservation Association) and through them we were able to examine the problem of quarrying in Trinidad and Tobago and have been invited by them to aid in a replanting endeavour at a later date and assist in a nursery presently being developed in Sangre Grande. The Caribbean Network for Integrated Rural Development (CNIRD) provided us with contacts for environmental organizations in other Caribbean islands - Haiti, St. Lucia, Grenada and St. Vincent. They also extended an invitation for us to aid them later with a Caura Valley reforestation project. In January of 2001, through invitations made by our contacts in the islands, we extended the boundaries of our project to a Caribbean-wide affair. We did this by traveling to different islands including St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Grenada, Dominica, Haiti and Curacao either to volunteer our services or to encourage volunteerism with regards to conservation of the natural vegetation in each island. On returning to Trinidad, we were informed that every year at Fondes Amandes, a "gayap" - a collective effort by a united group of citizens to work towards a common goal and an opportunity for families and friends to come out and volunteer their help - is held. We participated in this year's gayap, which was held on the 17th and 18th of March. We have been in close contact with the World Wide Fund for Nature in Switzerland. They contributed brochures, posters and other beneficial materials. Also the St. Joseph's Convent Environmental Club will continue volunteerism at the Fondes Amandes Reforestation Project. In order to inspire and educate people on becoming a volunteer we conceived the idea of creating this booklet " How to Be a Caribbean Volunteer". We laid out tem steps i n achieving this, by using original illustrations as well as the knowledge gained from our experiences in the various Caribbean islands. We hope that our efforts will be appreciated and that this booklet, and its intentions, will be embraced by everyone.

IYV News Vol.4 A publication of the Caribbean Network for Integrated Rural Development (CNIRD) August 2001

VOLUNTEERS Stand Tall

Amidst the horror and chaos of the disaster that brought down two of the tallest buildings in the world in New York City on 12 September, people of all walks of life rose to the occasion as volunteers.  The demonstration of humanity in the face of an inhumane act is the few bright spots of this tragedy. The Secretariat salutes the courage and presence of mind of those who assisted and continue to help the injured and their families during this IYV 2001. Isn't this what volunteerism is all about?

Community Meetings

Our journey through the communities of Trinidad and Tobago continues this month with a stop in Kelly Village, Caroni.  On 12 September in Kelly Village, we met a dedicated group of individuals who are fighting tremendous odds in their effort to improve their community. However, as their contribution to IYV celebrations in T&T, they have pledged to include a mini volunteer awards ceremony as part of their Sports & Family Day on 20 November. The next stop is the Princes Town Community Centre in the Victoria East District on 20 October.

School Competitions

Schools across the Caribbean still have another month to enter the IYV 2001 Secondary and Primary School Competitions.  October 26 is the deadline to submit entries is - so hurry and send them in. If you don't have the competition guidelines or entry forms, let us know right away.  We have secured some fantastic prizes for the schools that participate as well as the students so pass on the news!

Giving Something Back

One of the objectives of IYV 2001 is recognition. In fact, it's the first one on the list! Making volunteers aware of the fact that we appreciate their assistance is more important than we know.  It encourages the volunteer to work harder at what they do and motivates others to do likewise. It's usually a public statement of thanks that expresses how valuable we think volunteers are. The first Annual National Volunteer Awards Ceremony will be the means through which the Secretariat will recognize volunteers in Trinidad and Tobago for the dedicated effort they have given over the years. The ceremony will take place on 5 December  2001 - which is when the world gives thanks for volunteers - International Volunteer Day. We have invited over 200 NGOs and CBOs to nominate for an award volunteers who have worked alongside them.

IYV 2001 is the perfect opportunity to thank a volunteer. Get nomination forms from CNIRD before the closing date - 16 November 2001.

Global Environment Facility (GEF)

Issues concerning the environment are increasingly in importance as we understand more about the interconnectedness of our existence on Planet Earth. Volunteers have been at the forefront of efforts to promote sustainable development across the world and right here in the Caribbean.  Now here's some good news for those volunteer groups whose ideas and projects recognize the importance of people's participation, involvement and responsibility as being an integral part of the development process. The Global Environment Facility (GEF) has a Small Grants Programme for NGOs and CBOs. The Programme is administered by the UNDP, the UNEP and the World Bank and assists organizations that target any of the following focal areas: · Protection and conservation of biodiversity · Prevention of activities that cause global warming and climate change · Prevention or reduction of pollution of international water bodies. So if your group works in any of the above areas and are in search of funding, contact Nicola Cross, National UN Volunteer at 623-7056 Ext. 243 or nicola.cross@undp.org.tt

Feature Article

We bring to you the Preamble to a document called the Earth Charter. It is being circulated around the world in the hope that every country will embrace its ideals and work towards its implementation. The T&T Earth Charter Committee who can be contacted at EarthCharter@excite.com. You can also visit the global website at www.earthcharter.org

PREAMBLE

We stand at a critical moment in Earth's history, a time when humanity must choose its future. As the world becomes increasingly interdependent and fragile, the future at once holds great peril and great promise. To move forward we must recognize that in the midst of a magnificent diversity of cultures and life forms we are one human family and one Earth community with a common destiny. We must join together to bring forth a sustainable global society founded on respect for nature, universal human rights, economic justice, and a culture of peace. Towards this end, it is imperative that we, the peoples of the Earth, declare our responsibility to one another, to the greater community of life, and to future generations.  Earth, Our Home It is alive with a unique community of life. The forces of nature make existence a demanding and uncertain adventure but Earth has provided the conditions essential to life's evolution. The resilience of this community and the well being of humanity depend upon preserving a healthy biosphere with all its ecological systems, a rich variety of plants and animals, fertile soils, pure waters and clean air. The protection of Earth's vitality, diversity and beauty is a sacred trust. The Global Situation The dominant patterns of production and consumption are causing environmental devastation, the depletion of resources and a massive extinction of species. Communities are being undermined. The benefits of development are not shared equitably and the gap between rich and poor is widening. Injustice, poverty, ignorance and violent conflict are widespread and the cause of great suffering. The foundations of global security are threatened. These trends are perilous - but not inevitable. The Challenges Ahead The choice is ours: form a global partnership to care for Earth and one another or risk the destruction of ourselves and the diversity of life. We must realize that when basic needs have been met, human development is primarily about being more, not having more. We have the knowledge and technology to provide for all and to reduce our impacts on the environment. The emergence of a global civil society is creating new opportunities to build a democratic and humane world. Our environmental, economic, political, social and spiritual challenges are interconnected and together we can forge inclusive solutions. Universal Responsibility To realize these aspirations, we must decide to live with a sense of universal responsibility, identifying ourselves with the whole Earth community as well as our local communities. We are at once citizens of different nations and of one world in which the local and global are linked. Everyone shares responsibility for the present and future well being of the human family and the larger living world. The spirit of human solidarity and kinship with all life is strengthened when we live with reverence for the mystery of being, gratitude for the gift of life, and humility regarding the human place in nature. We urgently need a shared vision of basic values to provide an ethical foundation for the emerging world community. Therefore, together in hope we affirm the following interdependent principles for a sustainable way of life as a common standard by which the conduct of all individuals, organizations, businesses, governments and transnational institutions is to be guided and assessed.