Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met with youth volunteers of "My World", during the UNHQ launch of the UN-led global survey of people's priorities for a a better world. Visit site

Japan’s Ambassador to Germany, H.E. Mr. Takeshi Nakane, visited UNV Executive Coordinator Richard Dictus in Bonn on 25 January. They confirmed the strong relationship between Japan and the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme and continued interest in enhancing the collaboration to promote volunteerism. Visit site

UNDP Associate Administrator Rebeca Grynspan travelled to Shanghai on 15 December 2012 to inspect the implementation and results of a UNDP/UNV project that is working to strengthen volunteering cooperation for regional development. While in Shanghai, Ms. Grynspan celebrated International Volunteer Day with over one thousand volunteers and children with special needs at the City Theatre. Visit site

‘Valuing Volunteering for A Beautiful China’ was the theme of the 2012 Volunteering Expo Plenary Forum at Peking University on 18 December. The forum showcased how volunteers are transforming Chinese towns and cities and giving of their time to provide valuable public services to poor and vulnerable groups nationwide. With 50 Chinese volunteer organisations in attendance UNV China also demonstrated how UN Volunteers are flying the flag for global development around the world. Visit site

The story of his journey from a small village in Punjab to Buckingham Palace has been mentioned in the United Nations Volunteers' Book. Gaurav Gaur, assistant professor at Panjab University has been chosen from Chandigarh for the book, "Volunteering in India: Contexts, Perspectives and Discourses" by the UN. Visit site

More than 6,000 people gathered at the Great Hall of the People to celebrate the International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development. This UN observance has been held since 1985 and the 2012 event was jointly organised by the China Volunteers Association (CVA) to raise awareness of the millions of people around the world that are actively engaged in the service of others. Visit site

In his IVD message in MarketWatch online magazine, Canada's Governor General David Johnston said he had witnessed "many heartening examples of Canadians giving free of their time, talent and resources." He urged Canadians to "take a moment and think about how you might make a difference in someone else's life - be they a friend, a family member or a stranger." Visit site

An AARP blog entry reports that marking the United Nations International Volunteer Day is in keeping with its motto:  "To serve, not to be served." The American organization, which advocates for justice and fairness for senior citizens, has marked IVD since 1985.  Visit site

On IVD Volunteer Canada launches a revamped website www.volunteer.ca to connect the volunteering organizations and websites across the country. Visit site

Africa: On International Volunteer Day, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon highlights how the digital age offers more opportunities for volunteerism. Visit site