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

Bonn, Germany: Sustainable development and volunteerism will be the main topics of discussion when non-governmental organizations (NGOs) meet in Bonn, Germany for the sixty-fourth annual United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI)/NGO meeting from 3 to 5 September. Read

Bekaa Valley, Lebanon: Women food cooperatives in the region of Bekaa produce high quality natural foods. Despite good manufacturing facilities and excellent products, marketing and sales continue to be a challenge. Two UN corporate/private sector Volunteers from Kraft Foods helped the cooperatives find ways to boost sales. Read

Beijing, China: The UN Resident Coordinator in China, Renata Lok-Dessallien, celebrated the launch of the China Volunteers Association. This inclusive volunteer association aims to foster and promote the culture of volunteerism for social development. Read

New York, United States: In June 2011, UNV Executive Coordinator Flavia Pansieri spoke on the occasion of the UN Department of Public Information (DPI) Briefing to NGOs in New York. She focused on youth, a significant resource for volunteering: "Youth are not the problem, they are part of the solution". Read

New York, United States: UNV Executive Coordinator Flavia Pansieri attended the UNDP/UNFPA Executive Board in June 2011 in New York. She emphasized the need to acknowledge volunteerism in various ways, "in particular not as an afterthought, but as an intentional component of programmes designed to promote national ownership and the development of national capacities". Read