Solutions Network:
La Red Peruana de los Voluntarios de Horizon

By Walter Castro

The Peruvian Solutions Network is a network of the Horizon’s Volunteers in Peru. The network’s aim is to (1) discover successful solutions and inspiring initiatives in the field of health, environment and development that are resolving problems around Peru now, (2) to disseminate the knowledge about solutions through conferences, training, workshops, etc and to (3) develop further solutions, ideas and new approaches through the interaction and sharing of experiences of participants. By doing do, the participants are developing their capacities and further skills whether independently or cooperatively among other volunteers.

By 2003, the Solutions Network was composed of over 100 volunteers. They are highly motivated people from different parts of Peru who voluntarily document and disseminate solutions to the environmental & development problems throughout Peru. Volunteers focus their work on their own communities.

The Network uses the Internet and the Horizon resources (videos, solutions data base, etc). Moreover, all volunteers participate in a list-serve to exchange ideas and information between themselves (HORIZON_solutionsNETwork@eListas.net).

The Volunteers' assignments are personalized to advance their professional abilities and enable them to more fully realize their own potential. Participants realize personal growth, satisfaction from the results of their work, and increased motivation to use their talents and abilities to help in the world.

The network has coordination offices in Lima and Trujillo. The coordination team work closely with the Horizon’s staff members.

Coordination team in Lima:
Lic. Jorge Rojas (CONCYTEC) and Stud. Erica Castro Aponte (Univ. Nacional Agraria la Molina). Email: horizon@peru.com

Coordination team in La Libertad:
Blga. Heidy Rivasplata Maldonado (Univ. Nacional de Trujillo) and Estu. German Espejo Sevillano (Universidad Privada del Norte). Email: horizonll@hotmail.com

Horizon’s Scientific Review Board members and Solutions Network Advisors:
Dr. Homero Silva. PAHO/WHO-Peru. Environmental Health Advisor. Email: hsilva@per.ops-oms.org
Dr. Antonio Brack. UNDP-Peru. Environment Adviser. Email: antonio.brack@pnud.org.pe

PERUVIAN NETWORK’S COORDINATION OFFICE:
Calle Piura 466. Miraflores, Lima-Peru. Telefax: (51-1) 446-2367. To contact the La Libertad’s office call to (51-44) 9480539.

Partial History: On March 19th, 2004, Horizon International, the government of the Municipality of Huanchaco, and the National University of Trujillo are co-sponsoring a conference entitled "Healthy Tourism, Healthy Tourists."  The event will be hosted by Dr. Homero Silva, environmental health expert and Horizon Scientific Review Board member.  For information more please e-mail GERMAN ANTHONY ESPEJO SEVILLANO< President at german_sevillanoo@hotmail.com.