UNDP Needs Vision

SINCE Britain withdrew its membership of Unesco some years back because of alleged irregularities in the organisation at the time, no other country has actually challenged the operation of UN bodies at the country level.

Things that would ordinarily be classified as bad practice usually go unnoticed. In Namibia the United Nations is usually associated with very good courses and outcomes.Unicef, the World Health Organisation, UNFPA as well as Unesco locally are contributing positively to the development of the country.Several initiatives such as the women and child abuse centres created to combat abuse of children and women are associated with these organisations.Mass campaigns on malaria and awareness initiatives on human rights education are also well underway.However, what it is disappointing in my view are the activities of UNDP in Namibia.The role of this organisation is to coordinate development aid of the entire United Nations system but there is a chronic lack of this.It has become apparent in some meetings I attended that there is a management crisis in the country office.Our project which was supposed to secure some funding has up to now not receive any funds from this organisation.My question is why is it that other UN bodies like Unicef are really trying their best? We heard that the reason why Unicef, UNFPA, WHO and Unesco are performing relatively better is because they have clear operational mandates.I don’t believe in this argument because it is the local country office that is supposed to develop a vision for UNDP in the country.Certainly UNDP cannot hide behind this point.If they believe other UN bodies are doing well because they have clear mandates why are they here then? The situation is so stressful that international and local staff are leaving the organisation.Those who stand up against management of the country office are either silenced or made to leave.Staff turnover at UNDP is highest amongst all UN agencies represented in the country.Lots of staff members left the employment of UNDP and this situation continues to grow.No one gives a damn.The Government is very quiet on this issue as well.The National Planning Commission as the official link between the Government of Namibia and UNDP is supposed to discipline the country office.Of course it is not easy to do this because Government is always treated to the fine diplomatic language.The fellows have simply learned the art to please and deceive.If you come from the low end of the economic and educational scale you cannot help but appreciate the good use of the English language.We don’t eat English please, we want food, shelter and development of this country.Over the past 3 years we heard how monies earmarked for Namibia are being cut because UNDP locally cannot facilitate the full utilisation of the funds.Yet, viable community projects cannot obtain the bare minimum required for their activities.UNDP headquarters in New York instead allocate funds to other countries where activities are visible and implementation is taking place. I strongly feel that the present country management of UNDP should be sent on a retreat mission back to New York for another orientation on development planning and people management skills.The United Nations is not above the law.UNDP certainly needs an uplifting vision for it to continue to justify its presence in the country.Jefta Shilongo WindhoekIn Namibia the United Nations is usually associated with very good courses and outcomes.Unicef, the World Health Organisation, UNFPA as well as Unesco locally are contributing positively to the development of the country.Several initiatives such as the women and child abuse centres created to combat abuse of children and women are associated with these organisations.Mass campaigns on malaria and awareness initiatives on human rights education are also well underway.However, what it is disappointing in my view are the activities of UNDP in Namibia.The role of this organisation is to coordinate development aid of the entire United Nations system but there is a chronic lack of this.It has become apparent in some meetings I attended that there is a management crisis in the country office.Our project which was supposed to secure some funding has up to now not receive any funds from this organisation.My question is why is it that other UN bodies like Unicef are really trying their best? We heard that the reason why Unicef, UNFPA, WHO and Unesco are performing relatively better is because they have clear operational mandates.I don’t believe in this argument because it is the local country office that is supposed to develop a vision for UNDP in the country.Certainly UNDP cannot hide behind this point.If they believe other UN bodies are doing well because they have clear mandates why are they here then? The situation is so stressful that international and local staff are leaving the organisation.Those who stand up against management of the country office are either silenced or made to leave.Staff turnover at UNDP is highest amongst all UN agencies represented in the country.Lots of staff members left the employment of UNDP and this situation continues to grow.No one gives a damn.The Government is very quiet on this issue as well.The National Planning Commission as the official link between the Government of Namibia and UNDP is supposed to discipline the country office.Of course it is not easy to do this because Government is always treated to the fine diplomatic language.The fellows have simply learned the art to please and deceive.If you come from the low end of the economic and educational scale you cannot help but appreciate the good use of the English language.We don’t eat English please, we want food, shelter and development of this country.Over the past 3 years we heard how monies earmarked for Namibia are being cut because UNDP locally cannot facilitate the full utilisation of the funds.Yet, viable community projects cannot obtain the bare minimum required for their activities.UNDP headquarters in New York instead allocate funds to other countries where activities are visible and implementation is taking place. I strongly feel that the present country management of UNDP should be sent on a retreat mission back to New York for another orientation on development planning and people management skills.The United Nations is not above the law.UNDP certainly needs an uplifting vision for it to continue to justify its presence in the country.Jefta Shilongo Windhoek