Flavia Pansieri, the UNV Executive Coordinator, pointed out that Clinton had already been formally appointed as the UN’s Special Envoy for Haiti in March 2009, before the earthquake, “and in this capacity he would continue to support Haiti relief efforts”. Visit site

The UN Resident Coordinator and the UNV Country Office in Bosnia and Herzegovina met Government officials to discuss legislation on volunteerism in the country. Volunteerism represents an invaluable social force with the potential to bring benefit to individuals while enhancing the bonds among all citizens in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Visit site

Mr Takehito Nakata served as UNV Honorary Ambassador from 1993 to 2008 and advocated for volunteerism for peace and development. His son, Atsuhito, was killed while serving as a UNV volunteer monitoring elections in Cambodia in 1993. Mr and Mrs Nakata were recently invited to a reception hosted by the Japanese Emperor and Empress on 17 May. The reception was organized to welcome His Highness Norodom Sihamoni, the King of Cambodia, during his visit to Japan. It was attended by the Japanese Prime Minister and 140 other guests. Visit site

UNV in Chad has developed a project for the rehabilitation of Iriba High School, the only one in the department of Kobé. It was built in 1996 as a donation from the Département des Hauts de Seine in France and has since then never been renovated. Visit site

School of the Nations recently hosted a ceremony to mark the official opening of its new premises in New Market Street and outlined several other plans it has to expand its programme.

The school said service has been one of its key philosophies and after the move to Tiger Bay this year the opportunities for an expanded service project developed. Over 54 children and youth from Tiger Bay now benefit from literacy, numeracy, science computer training activities three afternoons per week as well as swimming and play games. The programme, in partnership with Varqa Foundation is facilitated by 26 Sixth Formers and six full time UNV volunteers.

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The event brought together representatives from Sarajevo area volunteer involving and civil society organizations, educational institutions, FBiH Ministry of Justice (Civil Society Sector), OSCE, UNDP and UNV. It provided an invaluable opportunity to share ideas and experiences, and identify concrete measures with which to foster and support volunteerism and civic engagement in BiH. Visit site

The President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Ambassador James Victor Gbeho, has disclosed that the African Development Bank (ADB) has increased its contribution for ECOWAS youth volunteers from USD$758,000 to USD$2,888,000. UNV will assist the ECOWAS youth and sports center. Already, UNV has given US$300,000 for the conduct of the program. Visit site

Some 1,000 youths from across West Africa have marched through the streets of the Liberian capital, Monrovia, to launch a new regional volunteer scheme.

The scheme would see youths spend time helping out in areas such as agriculture, health or education in a different country to their own.

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Representatives of UNV met with heads of non-commercial organizations of Shirak region at the Center for Organizing Youth Initiatives (COYI). Visit site

The past two years in particular have brought volunteerism to mainstream attention. Humanitarian disasters in the region have been an impetus. The 2006 Israeli war against Lebanon and the 2003 invasion of Iraq led to a flood of refugees into Syria.

Signe Ejerskov, the former head of the United Nations Volunteer (UNV) programme in Syria, which recruited 70 young Syrians to work with the UN’s refugee agency, said it had a big effect.

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