Johannesburg: The Human Chain is a campaign whereby over 500 youth from Johannesburg will hold hands creating a chain for five kilometres around the Johannesburg Civic Center to symbolize youth unity towards 0% new HIV infections by year 2020. Read

Bonn, Germany: From natural disasters to ‘silent crises’ such as poverty and disease, volunteers are making a difference across the globe and helping the international community achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today expressed in his message on International Volunteer Day. Read

Kinshasa, DR Congo: For the upcoming International Volunteer Day (IVD) on 5 December 5, UNV’s liaison office in Kinshasa is organizing a photo contest with the theme “What does volunteering mean to you?”. The exhibit will consist of photographs sent by Congolese and international volunteers working in this country. Read

Cairo, Egypt: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Egypt and Save the Children have signed an agreement to grant "UN Volunteers Associate" status to more than 130 employees from companies such as British Petroleum, Barclays, Procter and Gamble, Pepsi and Shell. The new volunteer associates will teach preparatory school students skills to enhance their job opportunities. Read

Bonn, Germany: The Government of Germany has contributed US $1 million to support the contribution of the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme in the recovery and rehabilitation of communities in Pakistan following the 8 October earthquake. Read

Islamabad, Pakistan/Bonn, Germany: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme are committed to supporting Pakistan in implementing its National Volunteer Movement (NVM), an initiative launched on 1 November to respond to the massive relief and reconstruction effort in quake-devastated areas of Pakistan. Read

Ho Chi Minh, Viet Nam: The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme in Viet Nam and the non-governmental organization Education for Development (EFD) are partnering to involve more volunteers in efforts to improve the lives of disadvantaged children and youth in Viet Nam’s largest city. Read

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso: Burkinabe youth in the province of Kénédougou can now access training and income generation opportunities as the Poverty Reduction among Youth Project (REPAJE) has extended its reach to cover the country’s entire Hauts Bassins region. Read

Zinder, Niger: The first of 12 kindergartens aimed at preventing malnutrition among children in Niger recently opened its doors in an effort by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Volunteers (UNV) to respond to the country’s ongoing food crisis. Read

Geneva, Switzerland: Kemal Dervis, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and António Guterres, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), yesterday signed a global Memorandum of Understanding to further strengthen the role of the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme in responding to the plight of refugees worldwide. Read