Education as therapy and for employment

Revitalising education can be an important way of normalising society in post-conflict situations. UNV specialists have been fielded to support 'Operation Lifeline Sudan' which brings vital relief supplies to targeted beneficiaries in southern Sudan. UNVs are also providing badly needed services to UNICEF programmes - one of which is an educational programme for war orphans and children severely affected by post-trauma stress. A similar programme is being developed with UNESCO and UNICEF for war orphans who are swelling the ranks of street children and unemployed youth in the cities of Angola. UNV specialists will provide the international experience and expertise to support the latter programme, for which funds have not yet been obtained.

Another special programme awaiting funding would focus on restarting various courses at the University of Liberia in war-torn Monrovia. UNV hopes to bring back experienced lecturers from the region as UNV specialists. In due course, it is hoped that UNV specialists will be provided to do similar work in Somalia.