05 December 2003

Bonn, Germany/New York, USA: The Online Volunteering (OV) service, jointly developed and operated by NetAid and the UN Volunteers (UNV) programme, will move entirely to UNV early next year. This management shift on January 26, 2004, will allow UNV to further develop the service, while enabling NetAid to pursue a range of complementary volunteering activities.

Both NetAid and UNV are committed to making a smooth transition with minimal impact on the volunteers and host organizations who use the service. All existing user information and passwords will remain valid, as well as group, assignment and volunteer information. Users who visit the current address for the service, at www.netaid.org/ov, will be redirected to the new URL for the service on the date of the move.

The Online Volunteering service of the United Nations Volunteers programme will continue to connect volunteers with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), UN organizations and academic institutions in some 60 countries. Online Volunteers perform a wide range of services, including translations, research and writing articles, designing web sites, and more. Since its launch in 2000, more than 11,000 people have registered on the service.

NetAid will continue to promote Online Volunteering as part of its mission to fight extreme poverty by launching an interactive educational module on volunteering in early 2004. NetAid and UN Volunteers will jointly choose and announce the Online Volunteers of the Year, and work together through an assortment of volunteer-related activities and promotions.

David Morrison, NetAid President said, " through our Online Volunteering service NetAid and UN Volunteers have had a fruitful partnership for more than three years. This change will allow UNV to take the service to greater heights, and enable NetAid to focus more directly on building public support for policies and programs that fight extreme poverty around the world".

Ad de Raad, UNV Executive Coordinator, a.i., said, "everyone affiliated with the service at both organizations are very happy with the results so far. We're excited to take on the added responsibility with the Online Volunteering service, and will continue to support NetAid in developing complementary activities."

NetAid (www.netaid.org) is a New York-based non-profit organization (501 c3) dedicated to increasing public support for policies and programs that improve the lives of the world’s poorest people. Working in partnership with the United Nations and the private sector, NetAid’s portfolio of programs raises awareness about extreme poverty and promotes actions that make a difference in the lives of the world’s poorest people. NetAid was founded in 1999 by Cisco Systems and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).