foreword

re you ready to move into a new physical and cultural environment? How can you prepare for the unexpected? What can you do to be ready to deal with the stress of conflict situations such as those you may encounter on a mission? What about all the details to be sorted out before you leave? Is your family going with you? If they aren"t going to the new post, are they prepared for your absence? How will your partner and family cope while you"re away or how will they cope in the new environment?

For most people, undertaking a field assignment is an exciting prospect, a chance to get away from the routine of life into the unknown. However, experience has shown us that all too often things do not quite turn out as one had imagined. The more prepared you are the better your chances of a satisfying and successful assignment.

Readying yourself to move is a long-term process. Preparation begins from the moment you consider the new assignment, continues throughout the duration of your assignment, and even extends beyond, as you move on to your next location or reintegrate into your previous lifestyle.

Good preparation is essential if you, and your family (if they accompany you), are to be able to function effectively in a new environment, new culture, and new living and working conditions. This is particularly true of a non-family mission assignment where you may face a greater risk of involvement in traumatic incidents than you have encountered in your work thus far. In addition, your family needs to be prepared to function well during your absence and to readapt to your return.

A whole host of issues is involved, from mundane organizational matters to complex emotional problems, which may arise from your field experiences. It is this process which we seek to address within the following pages. The web site aims at preparing you for your field office move with regard to those areas outside the range of the proposed job — namely yourself, your family and your relationships.

We hope this web site will assist you in your preparation for a new assignment, leading to enhancement of both your performance and your enjoyment of the experience, and we wish you every success in your forthcoming mission.

Rosemary McCreery

Assistant Secretary-General for Human Resources Management