11 June 2001

Bonn, Germany: Volunteerism can "build the foundations for the construction of caring cities," Sharon Capeling-Alakija, Executive Coordinator of the UN Volunteers programme, told the Istanbul + 5 Special Session of the UN General Assembly late Friday.

"All of us concerned about conditions in today's increasingly cramped urban areas would be well advised to pause and recognize volunteering for what it is: the 'V' in deVelopment," she said.

Shortly after the Istanbul meeting in 1996, she said, UNV launched its Strategy 2000, which identified urban development as one of three priority areas. "Five years on, in this, the International Year of Volunteers, we are pleased to be able to talk about concrete results."

UNV has worked to implement the Habitat Agenda by mobilizing UN Volunteers as well as by promoting and supporting different types of volunteerism in developing countries and countries in transition.

For example, in Tema, Ghana, she noted, UN Volunteers help local authorities to improve the municipal tax system. With their value-added neutrality, trustworthiness and solidarity, the UN Volunteers serve as "brokers striving to build confidence between taxpayers and local officials in an effort to make the system work."

In several Caribbean island states, UNV specialists work in urban settings to prevent drug abuse and treat addicts.

In Bulgaria, Guatemala, Nepal, Palestine and Uzbekistan, UN Volunteers with urban planning and architectural expertise revitalize parts of old cities by restoring buildings, streets and parks.

"Working daily in direct contact with local partners, UN Volunteers have proven themselves capable performers in long-term urban development efforts," she said. "The role of a UN Volunteer carrying out these activities complements the initiatives of local volunteers. UN Volunteers are often able to tap into the UN system to bring fresh and rapid responses to emerging problems."

While volunteerism is fundamental in human settlements, it is still overlooked as a resource, she continued. "Volunteerism can be instrumental in helping strengthen the norms of solidarity and reciprocity, so essential for stable communities."