Insights into the work of the Asia Regional Coordinator
Written by Mridul Upadhyay
For Asia, the most diverse and largest region of UNOY Peacebuilders, regional coordination is a challenge. In 2017, we asked our member organisations how we can improve ownership and inclusivity in the network. To take the recommendations of this network-wide consultation forward, the position of Regional Coordinator was established for the Asia region. For the past 1,5 year, I am supporting UNOY as its Regional Coordinator Asia.
This region has 13 diverse organisations from 8 countries (Afghanistan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Philippines). Our Asian members work on a range of issues including interfaith dialogue, disengagement and reintegration, youth leadership, reconciliation, peace education and refugee rehabilitation support.
It has been an amazing journey to act on the vision, mission and values of UNOY Peacebuilders and build a strong regional network and partnership of member organizations. For this, I worked on all 4 action areas of UNOY: capacity building, organisational development, networking and advocacy.
Personal reflections
One overall observation about working at UNOY Peacebuilders is that it is a participatory and non-hierarchical work space, even when you fulfil your position on a voluntary basis. As a regional coordinator, you directly report to the Network Coordinator at the UNOY International Secretariat. Other than the gift of accountability and guidance, the organisation also gives you the privilege to be included in designing programs and strategies, keeping you updated on various aspects of UNOY’s work and enabling you to contribute in decision-making processes.
So what does it involve to be a regional coordinator? 30% communication, 35% planning and organizing, 20% external networking and 10% advocacy. All of this is supported by 100% integrity towards a strong commitment.
Fostering Regional Opportunities
As the primary task is to increase communication between member organizations in the region, I convened several online regional meetings and one-to-one meetings with the representatives of member organizations. Overall, this brought the network closer together and helped to re-activate two previously dormant organizations in the network.
Despite having no financial resources, I have managed to foster several learning opportunities at the regional level. Using online platforms, I organised a webinar on youth, peace and security for the UNV Youth4Youth Eastern Province symposium in Sri Lanka. In addition, I am currently mentoring one of the teams of young peacebuilders from this symposium.
To strengthen the peacebuilding capacities of 32 young people from 14 countries, I organized a Global Training of Trainers on youth and peacebuilding. This would have not been possible without the support from Youth for Peace International (UNOY member in India), Government of India and UNFPA Asia Pacific regional office.
A participant who completed the training in New Delhi applied her newly developed skills in organising the Tehran International Peace Event, a workshop on negotiation, conflict management and UN Security Council resolution 2250 (UNSCR 2250) which reached 228 young Iranians. The event was a first of its kind in Iran and organised in collaboration with the World Peace Initiative (also a UNOY member) and Iran Peace Studies Association.
Building partnerships with the UN
I am especially proud of UNOY becoming the founding co-chair of the thematic working group on youth, peace and security (TWG-YPS) of the Asia-Pacific Inter-Agency Network on Youth. Through our shared leadership of the thematic working group with the UNFPA Asia Pacific office, this platform is a space for UN agencies and youth civil society to collaborate towards the implementation of UNSCR 2250 in the region.
Next steps in 2019
My next priority is to organize an event where representatives of member organisations can meet face to face and an online webinar on fundraising, because our members in Asia are facing challenges in raising funds for their work. Other than this, I want to focus on disseminating opportunities created as the co-chair of TWG-YPS in the region and tracking the implementation of UNSCR 2250 at national levels all over the world.
