Bonn, Germany: More than 1,400 people – grassroots representatives from over 70 countries – gathered in Bonn, Germany, from 3 to 5 September for the United Nations Department of Public Information/Non-Governmental Organization Annual Conference. The conference revolved around the theme of "Sustainable Societies, Responsive Citizens."
 
The participants, representing 460 different NGOs, shared best practices, displayed their efforts in an exhibition hall, and forged documents that will be integrated into next year's Rio+20, the UN Conference on Environment and Development. Read

Bonn, Germany: If the next generations are to benefit from development, then development has to be sustainable. This is the challenge we all face. Yet, the best solutions are often the simplest ones, and the theme of the 64th annual UN DPI-NGO conference, being held in Bonn, Germany from 3 to 5 September, says it all: Sustainable Societies, Responsive Citizens. Read

Gaza, Occupied Palestinian Territory: In Gaza late last July, the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme organized a volunteer event to promote volunteer action and volunteering values. Read

This year, “youth” was more than just a word to volunteers involved with Sri Lankan youth service organizations.  On 12 August, International Youth Day, 1500 youth volunteers assembled on a Colombo sports field to form the word “youth” and break the Guinness World Record for the Largest Human Mosaic. Read

São Paulo, Brazil: It is such an honour to be a UN Volunteer, serving in my own country, and seeing the positive impact that the Cisco Networking Academy ICTs educational programme is having. Read

Bonn, Germany: Whenever our televisions show distressing scenes of war, famine or disaster, inevitably we ask ourselves: “What can we do to help?” It’s the kind of question that makes us human, and many people do go the extra mile and act. Chances are that these men and women make change happen through their own free will, and without expectation of reward. Chances are that these people are volunteers. Read

Vuno, Albania: The camp helped to increase awareness among the participants about volunteerism and the importance of voluntary actions for community mobilization and local development. Read

Bonn, Germany: When the Libya crisis broke on 16 February 2011, Estella Reed, recruitment professional from the UK, wanted to contribute her time and knowledge to raise awareness of what was going on inside the country. “I have been following the crisis in Libya and was saddened by the suffering that I have seen,” she says. Read

Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire: Two UN Volunteers who had been stationed in Liberia came to help the people of Côte d’Ivoire. Dr. Mahesh Babu Pullukollu and nurse Florence Najula Ojwang had never been in a situation like this before. Read

Bonn, Germany: This year marks both the International Year of Youth and the tenth anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers (IYV+10). It’s a unique opportunity to recognize how young people can take a stand and help change the world for the better. Read