Volume 1 Issue 2 May 2017

Contributors: Danica Debeljkovic, Ruzanna Danielyan, Joseph Laboussiere, Logan Abassi

So many questions, not enough answers

Following the publication of the Security Council Resolution 2350 (2017) adopted by the Security Council on 13 April 2017, a general Town hall was held to address key points of the resolution including the recommendations on the future of the Mission. The meeting was held on 12 May 2017 and a list of questions by Staff Union were distributed to all Staff and presented to the Management. Unfortunately, not many questions were answered in respect of future employment status of MINUSTAH staff. We will bring more on this issue as it becomes available. However, the FSU main focus in the coming period will continue to be:

a. Selection process for the follow up Mission; b. Redeployment strategy; c. Duty of Care; d. Agreed termination proposal and e. Continuation of medical services. The FSU Committee is planning on holding regular discussions with the Mission Management to identify Mission priorities over the same period and attempt to match the two sets of priorities and promote a joint cooperative understanding and effort.

MINUSTAH Retreat on Property Management and drawdown

On 4 May 2017, a retreat on Property Management and Drawdown Disposal was organized with the team from United Naitons Logistic Base in Brindisi (UNLB). The retrat was very succesfful in terms of sharing ideas in preparation of the Preliminary Assets Disposal Plan. It was a common effort of various Administrative Sections and Units, including the participation of Substantive Sections.

Dear Colleagues, Although we recently attended a Town Hall meeting on the future of MINUSTAH employees and although the liquidation of the Mission is a subject we listen to every day, we strive to negative circumstances have as little impact on the operations of the mission and our daily Mission life. We're trying to use interactive communication with the MINUSTAH management, staff and other readers to improve our services and to create opportunities and acceptable working conditions for all. Since May is the month when we celebrate International Peacekeeping Day, in this second issue we present you our two great experts who have been part of MINUSTAH team and who are willing to share their knowledge with us.

Respectfully, MINUSTAH FSU

Retreat on Property Management and drawdown

MINUSTAH FIELD STAFF UNION

Teaming up with the in house experts

Photography Workshop

This is an open invitation to all staff to participate in a photography workshop, which will be conducted once per month by Mr. Logan Abassi, MINUSTAH Photographer. This program will concentrate upon teaching amateurs and semi-professionals the art and science of using photography to change your understanding of the world around you.

Prerequisite: A willingness to explore new possibilities of how to see and experience the world.

Venue: To be determined by the students and the photographer at the time of the class.

Registration: Please send an email to minustah-fsu@un.org.

It is important to register before 15 June for this workshop.

Due to limited space, names will be registered on a “first come, first served” basis.

Βio:

Logan has been making images for a long time. Mostly it’s an excuse to explore his curious nature for the things that interest him. He has been working in Haiti since 2004 and has been with

MINUSTAH as the official photographer since 2006. He has degrees in journalism and photojournalism and currently heads up the multimedia unit’s web, social media, publication and photography sections. He is also working on a degree in Life coaching.

Contact Us MINUSTAH FSU Log-Base minustah-fsu@un.org Photo Credit: Logan Abassi

MINUSTAH FSU Log-Base Port-au-Prince Haiti

Plants nursery Log Base, Photo Credit: Danica Debeljkovic Horticulture and gardening

Some new research suggests that it might take as little as 10 minutes per day of being exposed to nature and gardening to considerably reduce stress, lower blood pressure and have other health benefits. This was confirmed in our conversation with MINUSTAH in house horticulture specialist, Mr. Joseph Labossiere, who has been employed in the Mission since 2005, ensuring that the trees and plants around all offices and camps are well maintained. He is also conserving the plants and trees nursery in Log Base. Mr. Labossiere is available to provide his valuable insights and suggestions about the art of gardening.

Submitting an issue for review

Many employees have issues that are personal to them, while others have issues that affect people collectively. If you have an issue you would like to be resolved, please consider submiting it to the FSU Committee.

What the Committee will need is: A synopsis of the issue, background information, related ST/AI’s, Information Circulars or Administrative Instructions. All information must be true and accurate, you may be required to provide substantial proof supporting you issue. You will receive an automated response confirming the delivery of your quey or issue. The Committee will endeavour to respond to each request as quickly as possible.

Do you have an issue you would like addressed?

How can I make my voice heard Tell us what your priorities are. What issues would you like the Field Staff Union to address?

Can I submit an article for publication The FSU committee would encourage all contributing members to submit articles about any subject of interest. The only thing we ask is that your submitted article is substantiated, factual and true.