As we mark the International Year of Youth: Dialogue and Mutual Understanding as well as the tenth anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers, we are pleased to release this discussion paper on “Youth Volunteering, Social Integration, and Decent Work: Inspiring Leadership.” Read

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme commissioned a global research study to look at the development of supportive volunteerism legislation and to analyse considerations in drafting and implementing volunteerism laws and policies. As a result of this research, a guidance note was developed for UNV through a joint effort of the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law and the European Center for Not-for-Profit Law.  It was funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Read

This research study on the state of volunteerism in Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) looks at the contribution of volunteerism to peace and development, addressing the key questions of how volunteerism can help achieve the MDGs in the region, what are some of the key challenges it encounters and how its impact can be enhanced. This publication is the first of its kind for the region, and provides new and powerful information on a unique history of volunteerism in this part of the world. You can download the full version or a summary of the report below. Read

In an effort to harness the energy, imagination and initiative of the world’s youth in overcoming the challenges facing humankind, from enhancing peace to boosting economic development, the United Nations proclaimed an International Year of Youth starting on 12 August 2010. Read

The booklet 'Culture of Volunteerisms in Armenia' explores three focus areas - the regulatory environment, motivations behind volunteerism, and volunteer management practices - to explain the under-utilization of volunteers and to suggest opportunities for the promotion of volunteerism in the country. It is the result of the joint efforts of the researcher, Ms. Mane Tadevosyan, and Ms. Lusine Hakobyan, National Coordinator for the CIVICUS Civil Society Index in Armenia, a project within Counterpart International. The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme in Armenia helped to define the methodology and to gather the data for the study. Read