Kabul, Afghanistan: After decades of war, Afghanistan is gearing up for presidential elections on 20 August 2009. This will be the second democratic cycle the country has seen – and just as in 2004, UNV volunteers are heavily involved with the electoral process. Visit site

Eastern Afghanistan: Every few days, UNV volunteer Azita dons her headscarf and heads out to the Afghan provinces. “When I leave for work in the morning, it’s already 31-32 degrees out,” she comments. Read

Northern Afghanistan: “Things worked differently in other countries I have worked in,” says Tuch, a UNV volunteer Electoral Adviser. “Here you have to find new ways to work with people. You need to put yourself in their shoes.” Read

Western Afghanistan: “This time,” says Shiringi, a UNV volunteer working with UNDP/ELECT supporting the Independent Election Commission, “we are in the co-driver’s seat. The work we are doing with our national counterparts is really building capacity for the future.” Read

Northern Afghanistan: “I am still moved to see people travelling for miles to queue for a registration card and participate in elections,” confesses Jetiti, a UNV volunteer in a region of Afghanistan where security concerns have recently increased significantly. Read