IWD 2024: Inspiring women who volunteer for the UN, including the GPI!
On the occasion of this year's International Women's Day (8 March), we would like to highlight an article by United Nations Peru that honors those women who decided to take action and commit to volunteerism by becoming UN Volunteers (UNVs) - featuring the GPI's very own Astrid Sotomayor!
You can find the full article (in Spanish) here. Below we have translated the passage that highlights Astrid's inspiring achievements:
For a healthy planet
Astrid Sotomayor is a UN Volunteer with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). What is her background? She is an environmental engineer and currently works as an environmental data analyst. Her work contributes to the integrated analysis of climate, biodiversity and pollution for UNEP; she also provides technical assistance for the construction and implementation of UN Peru's Framework for Sustainable Development Cooperation 2022-2026. Together with the Ministry of Environment (MINAM), it also promotes efforts for the protection, conservation and restoration of Peruvian peatlands. Astrid is UNEP's technical focal point in the country for the Global Peatlands Initiative (GPI).
"I decided to join UNV because it seemed like a great opportunity to contribute to the development of the country from my speciality. It has been a great experience where I have been able to connect with important partners from the government, international cooperation, private sector, academia, etc., which has allowed me to learn a lot and have a broader vision of how to address environmental issues in the country and the region". For Astrid, UN volunteering is "commitment".
Astrid Sotomayor (third left) with colleagues including the GPI's Dianna Kopanksy (fourth left). Photo credit: UNV.