There are positive signs that we are entering a new age of volunteerism. National service has been an important means of nation-building in many countries, and there are now unprecedented opportunities for committed and talented individuals to channel their passions and energies toward building a better tomorrow through organisations such as the United Nations Volunteers (UNV). Read

A woman working as an UNV volunteer intern in Cambodia is showing how Irish people are making a real difference in some of the poorest communities in the World, according to Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin. Christina Duggan is one of 42 volunteers to have gained experience under the Irish UNV internship programme since 2006. Read

After gusty winds blew off several roofs in Marabella, a team of UNV volunteer doctors visited the community, offering free medical assistance. Visit site

More than 3,000 women in Zambia have benefited from the Micro-finance Poverty Reduction Project (MPRP), designed in line with the Millennium Development Goals and targeting poor women to receive loans in order to improve their socio-economic status. Visit site

UNV volunteers have appeared on a weekly talk show in Syria, 'People to People', to speak about volunteerism and their work with UNV. Read

Joshua Immanuel, a coordinator for UNV, said volunteers wanted to know when they could start teaching children.

"All the non-governmental organizations work in localities across the city. Some of the organisations have a specific syllabus charted out for volunteers to use so that the programme would be more structured. After today's session, they say they have gained an idea of their role in the campaign. We even advised them on the do's and don'ts that ought to be followed when working with children," he said.

Visit site

The dramatic and inspiring life story of Yvette Reyes, whose involvement in 2004 with the United Nations Online Volunteers program won her a UN citation for outstanding work. Visit site

Government management and service to communities are being improved by the Government Public Administration Reform Project  supported by UNV, in Xekong province. Read

The UN's Olympic volunteer celebration on 7 August, organized by UNV and UNDP, was covered by China's top prime time news programme 'Xinwen Lianbo' and leading English newspaper, China Daily. Visit links to English-language coverage. Read

Some 900 volunteers will take part in a countrywide peace and reconciliation drive in areas that were hard hit by the post-election violence. The United Nation Volunteers is sponsoring the programme, which targets 21 districts. Read