Bonn, Germany: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is fifty years old. In the preamble to its thirty articles, it notes the reaffirmation of "faith in fundamental human rights" outlined in the United Nations Charter. Read

Several hundred United Nations Volunteers have since assisted in Mozambique on its difficult path from violence and destruction towards reconciliation and reconstruction. Read

Bonn, Germany: "The UNVs were the first to roll up their sleeves and work day and night when cholera broke out. They really demonstrated what volunteerism is about." It is with deep respect that Luciano Lisboa, Director of the Institute of Health Services in Beira recalls the dedication of the UNV tutor nurses Aisha Mtwana from Tanzania, and her Cuban colleagues Julia Isabel Vazquez Prieto and Mayda Rosa Font during the two months when the epidemic hit Mozambique’s second largest city. Read

Bonn, Germany: Business promotion is crucial in Mozambique where 60% of the population are estimated to be unemployed and the per capita GDP is less than USD 100, making Mozambique one of the poorest countries in the world. Read

Bonn, Germany: When night falls, the sound of an antelope’s horn is transmitted on Radio Mozambique. It is the symbol for the municipal elections at the end of June, calling on people to cast their vote. Read

Bonn, Germany: Four UNVs - one international youth specialist, Désiré Rakotovao, and three national UNVs - are helping these young people move away from idleness, mutual hate or even criminal activities by encouraging their participation and initiative in projects of common interest. Read

Bonn, Germany: Ophthalmologist Dr. Sunil Sachdeva, a 34year-old UNV, devotes his time to improving eye care in Guyana. He is working to strengthen virtually non-existent ophthalmic services in this South American country of 750,000 citizens. Read

Kibungo, Rwanda: 37-year old Jeff Crook works as a UNV with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Kibungo, Rwanda. He has been transferred temporarily to the emergency operation in Gihembe refugee camp in Byumba, where 14,000 Masisi refugees have been relocated. Read

Osh, Kyrgyzstan: Sharapat Abduloeve is 75 years old and she’s from Kara-Dykan village, about 60 km from Osh here in Kyrgyzstan. She wanted the poor children of her village to be able to attend kindergarten, and to do so all year round, through the harsh winter too. She received US$ 1,000 from our project to buy and install heating equipment so that the Ak-Shoola Kindergarten could do just that. Read

Bonn, Germany: Since thirteen years ago, the UNISTAR programme (United Nations International Short Term Advisory Resources) has been notable for the very broad scope of the advisory services which it has provided globally. A quick survey of the missions undertaken by international UNISTAR advisors provided in recent months shows that this hasn’t changed. The following are examples of three recent UNISTAR assignments in different parts of the world. Read

BONN: Total contributions to the UNV Special Voluntary Fund last year amounted to a little over $12.5 m. "In these days of faltering commitment to long-term development", said Executive Co-ordinator Sharon Capeling-Alakija, "we have reason to be very grateful to those Governments which remain convinced of the importance of the work of volunteers and consistently match the commitment of volunteers with official support. Read

Bonn, Germany: In Santo Domingo, at the Institute for Training of Women, a workshop was held in May for the new UNV Gender Specialists and their UNDP Gender Focal Point counterparts which are based in 18 UNDP Country Offices worldwide. Read

BONN: Johan Nicolas Bollen, a Belgian psychologist and self-taught artist, began to paint as he started working as a volunteer with street children in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Read