The International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation, 6 February, is a time to make the world aware of female genital mutilation (FGM). FGM is recognized internationally as a violation of human rights. Visit site

Across the world today, from Ecuador to Haiti, Liberia to Bosnia, Jordan to Vietnam, people are celebrating International Volunteer Day (IVD).  Volunteers and volunteer organizations are holding a variety of events including parades, campaigns, conferences, competitions, blood donation drives and coordinated volunteer actions.  They are celebrating with their communities, local institutions, UN organizations and government authorities to recognize the hope and commitment that volunteers bring to make the world a better place. Visit site

Universal Children's Day, on 20 November, is marked each year to promote the well-being of children. Countries all over the world celebrate the day in different ways to support children's welfare and children's rights.

See how UN Volunteers play a key role in advocating for and protecting children. Visit site

The 21st of September is the annual International Day of Peace, established by the United Nations in 1981. The International Day of Peace ("Peace Day" )provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared date.  Since its inception, Peace Day has marked our personal and planetary progress toward peace.  It has grown to include millions of people in all parts of the world, and each year events are organized to commemorate and celebrate this day. Read some of the stories from our volunteers who are promoting peace. Visit site

Bonn: 12 August every year, UNV celebrates International Youth Day with millions of youth around the world to highlight how volunteerism is an important channel for sustainable community development. Youth is a sector of society that faces unique challenges and vulnerabilities, but also contributes with unlimited promise. Visit site

World Environment Day (WED), celebrated every year on 5 June, is a day for people from all walks of life to come together to ensure a cleaner, greener and brighter planet for themselves and future generations.

This year UNV is marking WED by showcasing the environmental actions and stories shared through the Volunteer Action Counts campaign. Launched in April, this multimedia campaign highlights what volunteers, communities and organizations are doing for social, economic and environmental transformation in the lead-up to the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, Rio+20.

Read the more than 500 stories about volunteers protecting the environment and providing access to energy, renewable resources and clean water. Visit site

World Telecommunication and Information Society Day is marked on 17 May and is an opportunity to promote the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for development. The official theme this year is Women and Girls in ICT.

Meet some of the UN Volunteers, UN Online Volunteers and former UN Volunteers using ICTs to help to empower communities. Visit site

World Health Day on 7 April provides an opportunity to focus on a single health challenge with global impact.  The theme of the Day this year is Ageing and health: Good health adds life to years.

Good health not only enables older men and women to live longer, but also extends their active involvement in all levels of society.  When able to participate fully, older people are resources for their families and communities throughout the world. Volunteers provide important support in enabling older men and women to participate fully in their communities. Visit site

World Water Day is held each year on 22 March and provides an opportunity to focus attention on the importance of freshwater and to advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.

The official theme for World Water Day 2012 is Water and Food Security. Volunteerism plays a key role in improving access to water and food security, as it creates an enabling environment for building capacity through the participation of people in communication networks and decision-making processes. Visit site

International Women's Day is marked on 8 March and is an opportunity to celebrate the economic, political and social achievements of women and to raise awareness about the struggles still faced in achieving gender equality.

The official theme for International Women's Day 2012 is Empower Rural Women - End Hunger and Poverty. UNV supports this through different activities and initiatives and through UN Volunteer assignments and collaborative projects. Visit site