GLOW is an opportunity to break the dichotomy of field and HQ and to begin a dialogue and exchange among all sections of UNV. It’s important that colleagues come to GLOW ready to talk and listen. At the end of it, we need to feel that despite geographical boundaries, we’re one team, says Andre Carvalho, Chief of our Programme Development and Operations Group.
Even as colleagues prepare to travel for GLOW, the GLOWeb editor spoke to Andre to seek his advice on behalf of GLOW organziers as well as participants.
Q: From a corporate point of view, and in your opinion, why is GLOW important for UNV at this point in time?
A: UNV has changed a lot since the last Global Workshop in 1999. The International Year of Volunteers (IYV) has changed the way UNV does its business. UNV was mandated to be the focal point for IYV and later, even for the post-IYV initiatives. This is an added and important responsibility and we need to revisit if we’re fulfilling the mandate. Since the last workshop, there have been a large number of initiatives, mainly driven by the Hqs… We need to take stock and measure the impact of those initiatives…
We also need to make sure that there is a common understanding among all in UNV and we form an alliance towards a new direction…GLOW provides us that opportunity…
Q: What do we have to achieve during that week, to ensure that GLOW has fulfilled its objectives and met its goal?
A: The way GLOW is structured, it allows people to sit and reflect on how IYV has changed UNV. It is important that all colleagues have the same information… and that people come ready to talk and listen. So there has to be two-way communication. Colleagues in the field need to know how HQ has taken acted in different areas and HQ needs to know what has changed in the field. There has to be dialogue and exchange. The dichotomy of field/HQ needs to be broken. We need to feel that geographical boundary doesn’t count for us, we’re one team…
Q: How is GLOW 2005 different to the workshop in 1999?
A: Well, I was not there in UNV in 1999, but what I understand is the workshop in 1999 focused on preparing for IYV. This GLOW is to cement UNV into the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and to help us integrate UNV into the larger UN family and deliver on the MDGs…This time it will also help colleagues to understand the real meaning of Volunteerism for Development (V4D) the role of V in achieving MDGs.
Q: What would be your three recommendations/advice for GLOW participants in order to make the most out of the GLOW week?
A: First, ask questions. Second, speak out when you have something to contribute. And, last but not least, mingle out with people outside your reach: Break the regional barrier and interact with everyone.
Q. What would you advise the organizers of GLOW?
A: I would say we should remove the barrier of hierarchy in the workshop, in the way we compose the teams. We should introduce different activities among the teams. Secondly, it’s important to make sure everyday that the discussions are aligned with MDGs and UNV’s key goals.
Q: Is there anything else that you would like to convey to colleagues for GLOW?
A: Let’s try to avoid the trap to glow on our achievements. Let’s focus on the challenges ahead…Let’s acknowledge our achievements but focus more on the challenges. Let’s glow more about our desire, our enthusiasm and our commitment to make that future possible, to meet the challenge.
