FROM ADDIS ABABA TO BEIRUT - A NEW ADVENTURE

"Part of me will always remain in Africa," said Lieutenant Colonel Adolph Conrad, (known only as Coni to his friends) on his departure from UNMEE, after almost two and a half years. "I toured north Africa on a motor bike, whilst in my twenties. It was such an adventure then, and I think that I am very lucky to have returned to a very different adventure with UNMEE", he continued.

On arrival in UNMEE in October 2000, he was appointed Commander of Sector West. His main task was to establish the sector in preparation for the arrival of its first contingent, in February 2001.There were 85 Military Observers serving in ten team sites. Most towns were virtual ghost towns, with tiny populations and almost no animals. He was based in Barentu, where the markets had only tomatoes and onions on offer. Once, a local vendor assured him that "tomorrow you will have meat. For sure". True to his word, the vendor turned up next day. "Meat for dinner, but not today," reflected Coni, as he pondered whether to walk or transport the equally bemused sheep back to his team site.

With the subsequent contingent presence, and establishment of the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ), came great improvement. "People swarmed home to their towns and villages. This was a very happy time for everyone", he said.

After a year in Barentu, he returned to Switzerland for three months to complete a staff course, after which he was appointed Deputy Chief Military Liaison Officer (DCMLO), in Addis Ababa. There, his tasks included liaising with the Ethiopian Ministry of Defence, briefing Ambassadors and other UN agencies. "My year in Barentu, in Eritrea, which borders both Ethiopia and Sudan, gave me an overall understanding of the situation and difficulties involved," he said. "This proved useful in my present appointment", he continued. After fifteen months in Addis Ababa, he leaves UNMEE to take up a similar UN appointment in Beirut.

Born in Zurich in 1956, he has one brother and three sisters. He joined the Swiss Army in 1976. As a private soldier, he drove a Centurion Tank. Commissioned in 1979, he was promoted to Captain in 1987 and to Major in 1995. On promotion to Lt-Col in 2000, he became Chief Instructor of the Tank Brigade.

Lt-Col Conrad has previous UN service with UNOMIG, (United Nations Observer Mission In Georgia). "Our area of responsibility as LOs was in the Kodori Valley, which, "though beautiful, was also home to smugglers and rebels", he said.

Lieutenant Colonel Conrad receiving Force Commander’s Commendation for excellence

WELL DONE! UNMEE STAFF COMPLETE UNITAR COURSES

On 9 May, DSRSG (Asmara) Ms. Angela Kane, presented certificates to local Eritrean staff and UN volunteers in Asmara who successfully completed multiple correspondence courses offered by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). UNITAR was established as an autonomous body within the United Nations with the purpose of enhancing the effectiveness of the Organization through appropriate training and research. Based in New York, UNITAR offers students of all nations a range of self-paced distance training and education courses in peacekeeping operations and peace support operations disciplines.

UNMEE introduced UNITAR correspondence course in early February. Hilary Nicholson, coordinator of the project, proposed that the courses be offered free to local staff and UN volunteers in UNMEE. "The current suite of UNITAR correspondence courses offered is on a full fee paying basis.The fee structure is prohibitive for UNMEE Mission Local and UNV staff members" explained Hilary. "This means that there is a population of potential students that are excluded from enrolling and it also means that UNITAR is not tapping a potential market place for the courses on offer."

UNITAR agreed and Hilary was able to establish the Training and Education Pilot Project for UNMEE Local and UNV staff members in the 16 UNITAR correspondence courses, paid for by the Mission. The response has been phenomenal and Hilary has received over 150 enrolments from local staff and UNVs since early March.

"UNMEE sees this Pilot Project as an opportunity to broaden the availability of UNITAR courses to a potential student population that is otherwise excluded on financial grounds" stressed Hilary. The increased knowledge and attitude the students gain from these courses will increase understanding within local communities of the aims and objectives of the United Nations and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). The ceremony held on 9 March was the first such event for the first 32 recipients. The others are in the sectors and in Addis Abeba and will receive their certificates in the following weeks. "UNMEE is the first mission to offer such courses free to local staff and UNVs. UNITAR is impressed by the interest and is now looking to offer the same deal to other peacekeeping missions" concluded Hilary.

One of the students, Roderick Archibald, a UNV with the Water and Sanitation Unit, said that having a chance to learn and enhance one’s background and knowledge on the UN system was "something to look forward to". "In a mission where cultural background is diverse, the training course is a very good medium to have a common agenda".

A group of graduates of the UNITAR courses.