14 March 2001

Bonn, Germany: The United Nations Volunteers programme (UNV) has received a donation of US$100,000 from its Honorary Ambassador, Mr. Takehito Nakata of Japan, for its work in the area of human security.

Following a decision by Mr. Nakata, the generous contribution will support UNV's work in human security and in particular the United Nations Volunteers in Rwanda in order to expand their successful work with illiterate women in that country. Women suffered particularly from the 1994 genocide in the African country -- many became widows and have to take responsibility for their families' livelihoods.

The UN Volunteers in Rwanda are among the almost 5,000 women and men who serve annually around the world for peace and development. United Nations Volunteers are highly motivated, qualified professionals who don't receive a salary, but only a monthly living allowance to cover expenses.

Mr. Takehito Nakata became UNV's Honorary Ambassador after his son Atsuhito Nakata was murdered on 8 April 1993 in the course of his duties as a UNV District Electoral Supervisor with the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia. In an extraordinary gesture, Mr. Nakata decided to abandon his successful career as a businessman to follow his son's example in promoting human rights and the UN's vital work for the international community.

Since then, Mr. Nakata has on countless occasions represented and promoted the United Nations Volunteers programme in Japan and abroad. On field missions undertaken on behalf of UNV, he has deliberately chosen to include visits to some countries in crisis where UN Volunteers have been asked to carry out roles involving degrees of personal and physical risk akin to those encountered in Cambodia.

Mr. Nakata also established the Atsuhito Nakata Memorial Fund through which several development initiatives in Cambodia have been financed, together with other volunteer-related needs. The purpose of the Fund is to support and encourage international volunteers worldwide in terms of morale and finance. The donation of US$100,000 is made by the Memorial Fund. In addition, Mr. Nakata is personally donating US$5,000 and a ceramic art to the UNV programme in appreciation of its work, and to commemorate the International Year of Volunteers, 2001.