by Kirsten Gossé

09 December 2008

Ougadougu, Burkina Faso: UNV Executive Coordinator Flavia Pansieri met UNV volunteers, both international and national, working in Burkina Faso, telling them: "It is important and a great source of inspiration to see what you are doing."

Burkina Faso counts among the world’s poorest countries. UNV works in close cooperation with the Government, several UN agencies, NGOs and other volunteer organizations in order to increase human development in the country.

In meetings with representatives from UN agencies, the Minister of Finance and Economy and financial donors, Ms. Pansieri talked about the important role that volunteers play in the efforts to reach the Millennium Development Goals.

“Especially in these difficult times, with a global financial crisis, it is important to show the value of volunteerism, to share our ideals, commitment and the spirit of solidarity,” she remarked.

UNV is assisting the Government of Burkina Faso in establishing its own volunteer programme. This aims to give young professionals valuable working experience, while contributing to the development of the country in areas such as education, health and environment.  

During the visit to Burkina Faso, Ms. Pansieri visited one of the first regional volunteer centres in Yako, 100 km north of Ouagadougou, where 10 of the first 40 national volunteers have just begun their missions.

“It is a great challenge, but our ambition is to engage 2,000 to 3,000 national volunteers in the future. And of course, we count on the important contribution from UNV in the coming up-scaling phase,” said Justin Koutaba, Minister of Youth and Employment at a press conference held in Ouagadougou on International Volunteer Day.