Feature

On the Ground with the UN

By Shohrat A. Orazov

"Stand for something or you'll fall for anything. Today's mighty oak is yesterday's nut that held its ground."--Rosa Parks

Shohrat with polytechnic students

Over the past 60 years the United Nations has evolved from a "nut" into a "mighty oak" with branches spread wide to offer refuge, protection and peace to each man, woman and child inhabiting this planet, and with roots extending to nearly 200 nations of the world, bringing them all together for the peace of humanity. Whether it is a civil conflict in one region of the world or a natural disaster in another, in my experience the UN is first to react and assist.

I have joined the UN family only recently. I currently do what I feel is the most exciting and challenging job I could dream of--I work for children, as a project officer for UNICEF in Turkmenistan. My job entails assisting the Turkmenistan national government in shaping its national policies and laws to better suit the needs of children. 

I am supporting the implementation of one of three major UNICEF programs in Turkmenistan: policy advocacy and development planning for children. I am involved in working with the national statistics institute to improve its capacity, ensuring the implementation and use of programs designed to monitor progress for children and women and coordinating various studies and surveys. 

The other aspect of the program involves advocacy for children's rights. This involves interaction and work with legislators, members of the parliament and local authorities to raise awareness and promote the adoption of new legislation related to children. Practically, I am involved in planning events and making presentations on children's rights and related topics at various forums. 

In general, current focuses of UNICEF in Turkmenistan include strengthening of early childhood development and education, improving the level of high school attendance and teaching methodology, supporting mother-and-child health services through improving hospital environments and interventions such as salt iodization and flour fortification. 

Participants at a UNICEF Turkmenistan workshop on parenting skills  [UNICEF Turkmenistan/2004/Pirozzi]

Working together with the government, UNICEF has achieved the following within the last five years: Turkmenistan is certified as a polio-free country; immunization coverage is sustained at 95-98 percent; 70 percent of births occur in a baby-friendly environment; "life skills education" for the prevention of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections has been introduced into schools and safe drinking water and sanitation has been provided to schools in the Dashoguz Velayat region.

Indeed there are hindrances to working with public organizations as there may be anywhere, but all the effort and time consumed in overcoming them is worth it, as we are working for the future of humanity--children. I have always dreamed of being able to contribute to development and peace, and though I worked for various development-oriented donor programs, I have never felt as fulfilled as I do now working for UNICEF.

I have also witnessed how UN agencies concerned with refugees have assisted people in finding a safe haven as their homes were destroyed by civil wars and natural disasters. Like my friend Aman, one of over 10,000 ethnic Turkmens who were born and had been living in Tajikistan until the civil war erupted. He found refuge in the land of his forefathers. Since the mid-1990s UNHCR, along with the national government, has put extensive efforts into integrating him and other refugees into the local society, providing a place to live in peace and under protection.

While one agency is protecting refugees, another is helping the economy, environment and social sectors to develop, to provide better health and education for children--the most vulnerable members of the population and the future of any country. 

Rosa Parks has expressed better than I can what the United Nations means to me--indeed it is that "mighty oak," strong enough to lean on and mighty enough to provide refuge and protection. I believe in a better and brighter future for all the nations of the world, and to me the United Nations is the best tool in making confident steps toward it.

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