by Online Volunteers

12 August 2012

Morocco/Sudan/DR Congo: The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme recently launched the “Arab Youth Volunteering for a Better Future” initiative, which aims to build the skills and capacities of young people in the Arab States and enhance their participation in the socio-economic development of their communities through volunteering. The initiative will lead to a regional programme covering Egypt, Yemen, Jordan, Tunisia and Morocco.

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme recently launched the “Arab Youth Volunteering for a Better Future” initiative, which aims to build the skills and capacities of young people in the Arab States and enhance their participation in the socio-economic development of their communities through volunteering. The initiative will lead to a regional programme covering Egypt, Yemen, Jordan, Tunisia and Morocco.

Online volunteers have been involved right from the onset. Translation teams work to make all relevant documents available in the three main languages of the region, Arabic, French and English. Their support is crucial for engaging stakeholders and beneficiaries in the development of the programme, for example through the exploratory national consultations held in each of the five countries and for which online volunteers translated the facilitation tools.

Currently, online volunteers are editing, translating and creating the layout of the consultations report. Others are supporting the programme development by researching and analyzing data on youth and volunteering in the Arab States, including the findings of the national consultations. The design team will soon take up the work to develop brochures and other communication tools that will help UNV to promote the programme. 

Coming from different countries and backgrounds, the volunteers who signed up to support this initiative share a strong belief in the role of youth as agents for change in society.

Mohamed Nadioui (Morocco) holds an M.A. in Translation Studies and has worked as a translator, editor and interpreter for many national institutions, including the National Human Rights Council and the Moroccan Ethics Securities Council. The 26-year-old works as a technical translator for a French company based in Casablanca.
 
“I think that, through volunteering work, we can develop our communities and countries and build our skills and capacities. I strongly encourage the Arab youth to get involved in volunteering work both at the local and regional levels in order to change our communities for the better."

Shakir Yhahia El Hassan (Sudan) holds a Master’s degree in Translation. He has worked as a translator, editor and communication officer for various international organizations.

“Youth all over the world are leading the change and development in their communities. I volunteered to support the Arab Youth programme because it will help Arab youth to take the leading role and participate effectively in the development of their region.”

Nolasque Balitebya  (Democratic Republic of Congo) holds a BA in Education and has worked as a French teacher in schools and at universities, as well as a translator and interpreter since he graduated in 1996.

“Youth constitutes the power of a society. Any society that undermines or neglects youth will undoubtedly face challenges. In this regard, I deemed it necessary to bring my modest contribution to this particular assignment because I felt by translating different documents sent to me, I will be able to avail more information to the public on issues that affect youth in the Arab region.”