TOKTEN experts provide short-term advisory services in priority areas identified by the host governments. UNDP and the United Nations Fund for Science and Technology for Development administered the TOKTEN programme until 1994. Since then, the programme has come under the umbrella of the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme. Read

For the past 15 years (1992-2007), UNV and DPKO have engaged in fruitful collaboration. UNV volunteers have taken part in 44 peacekeeping operations, with over 11,300 volunteers completing more than 16,000 mission assignments during this period. In 2007, over 2,995 UNV volunteers supported 18 UN peacekeeping and special political operations in 18 countries. Read

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is a global advocate of the concept of Volunteerism for Development (V4D). It works with UN entities, governments and other partners to integrate volunteerism into development planning and programmes, and mobilizes thousands of volunteers, including UNV volunteers, every year in pursuit of distinctive contributions to development effectiveness. Read

WorldVolunteerWeb.org supports the volunteer community by providing a global one-stop shop on information resources, linked to volunteerism, that can be used for campaigning, advocacy, networking and action. Read

In recognition of the particular role that youth play in shaping the development of their societies and the need to harness this potential, the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme with its partners has launched pilot projects to explore ways in which, by building on and promoting a culture of volunteerism, youth can be mobilized and engaged in activities at the community, regional and national level. Read

Strengthening local institutions and fostering ownership and participation are integral components of strategies aimed at promoting an enabling environment for sustainable human development. Read

The importance of information and communications technologies (ICT) in the fight against poverty was underscored in the report of the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the Millennium Summit. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has long identified the potential of ICT as a means to create earnings opportunities, improve access to education and facilitate information and knowledge-sharing. Read

UN Volunteers take up a variety of activities in the area of humanitarian assistance. They work as food aid monitors, field officers, civilian camp officers, logisticians, procurement specialists, storekeepers, warehouse managers, material management specialists, emergency administrative assistants, transport coordinators and radio technicians. Over the last five years, UN Volunteers have supported humanitarian activities in war-torn countries such as Afghanistan, Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kosovo, Liberia, Mozambique, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Tanzania, Timor (East and West), Uganda and the former Yugoslavia. Read

Volunteerism is an important component of effective governance and successful social and economic development. Through the work of UN agencies and governments, the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme supports decentralization processes that promote participatory local governance and the empowerment of communities by engaging in a wide range of good governance projects. Read

Volunteerism is essential in preventing and reducing vulnerability to natural disasters. Early warning systems are one example where volunteerism helps to strengthen the resilience of communities.Volunteerism also serves as an effective support system in the wake of a disaster. Volunteering also plays a central role in post-disaster reconstruction efforts. Read