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  Inspiration in action    
Below you will find special features about the work of UNV and our UNV volunteers. These collections of articles explore our distinctive contributions to peace and development, often in alliance with our partners from other UN agencies, donor governments and host countries.

Many of our UNV volunteers deal with the world's most pressing problems - such as climate change, the food price crisis and rebuilding after armed conflicts - at a grassroots level. The stories that follow demonstrate our inspiration in action.

This water tank in Saru (Hinjilicut block) was completed in 2009 at the request of the villagers themselves. It is used as a fish farm for small business development, not to mention its usefulness as a water storage facility for washing and other activities. Many of the people here belong to India’s ‘Scheduled Tribes’. The women of Saru joined together in this voluntary self-help group to help each other generate income and press for development projects such as the water tank. (P. Sen/UNV)
Focus on India
30 June 2010
In this vast and multifaceted country of 1.1 billion, the development challenges are immense. UNV volunteers are at the heart of UNDP’s efforts to tackle poverty here, and all of them are Indian nationals. Visit site
UNAIDS estimated that there are 15,000 AIDS orphans in Liberia, and perhaps 3,000 children living with HIV [not pictured]. UNV volunteers like Hanae Aida are involved in the struggle to mitigate the problem. (P. Sen/UNV)
The transition: From crisis to development
08 April 2010
Volunteerism empowers people to take charge of their destinies and to help their countries move forward. Here we encounter stories from Liberia and Sierra Leone each illustrating the relationships between volunteerism, peace and development. Visit site
The only male participant in the FLIRD project literacy classes in Changulube village, Nkhata Bay, reads proudly to Ms Haque from his text book. (Eldson Chagara/UNV)
Focus on Zambia and Malawi
30 December 2009
UNV Deputy Executive Coordinator Naheed Haque made her first official visit to the field since taking office in July 2009. She met with Government and UN counterparts and visited UNV volunteers working with communities in Zambia and Malawi. Visit site
Countries:  Malawi  Zambia
International Volunteer Day 2009: Volunteering for our Planet
05 December 2009
'Volunteering for our Planet' recognized and promoted voluntary effort for the environment. Volunteers around the world registered more than 1.5 million hours of environmental activities during our campaign, covering the six months from World Environment Day on 5 June to International Volunteer Day, 5 December 2009. Visit site
Election public awareness campaign in Kandahar.

As one week remains until the historic presidential and provincial council elections, public awareness campaigns to educate Afghan voters are taking place across the country.

In the southern province of Kandahar, 85 civic educators, among them 12 women, are using flipcharts to raise awareness about the elections.

Forty one presidential candidates and more than 3,000 provincial council hopefuls are taking part in the 20 August elections. (IEC)
UNV and the UNDP/ELECT project
14 August 2009
Kabul, Afghanistan: After decades of war, Afghanistan geared up for presidential elections on 20 August 2009. This was the second democratic cycle the country has seen – and just as in 2004, UNV volunteers were heavily involved with the electoral process. Visit site
Countries:  Afghanistan
International Women's Day 2009
08 March 2009
Bonn, Germany: Bonn, Germany: International Women's Day is marked every year on 8 March, and in 2009 the theme is 'Women and Men: United to End Violence against Women'. UNV works with partners around the world to help end violence against women, supporting the empowerment of women and their communities and thus contributing to their escape from fear and coercion. Read about how UNV is working on these issues, and about the UNV volunteers setting an example for women everywhere. Visit site
More about: Gender
UNV and human rights
10 December 2008
Bonn, Germany: It is 60 years since the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the theme for Human Rights Day, 10 December 2008, 'Dignity and justice for all of us', reinforces the vision of the Declaration as a commitment to the entire human race. Across the world, UNV volunteers are working towards this vision: monitoring and reporting on abuses, sensitizing institutions and communities, and helping to protect individual people. Visit site
More about: Human rights
International Volunteer Day 2008
05 December 2008
Bonn, Germany: International Volunteer Day (IVD) is a chance for volunteer-involving organizations and individual volunteers to promote their contributions to development at local, national and international levels. By merging UN support with a grassroots mandate, IVD is a unique opportunity for volunteer-involving organizations to work with government agencies, non-profit organizations, community groups and the private sector. Visit site
More about: Civil society
UNV volunteers and their role in peacekeeping
21 September 2008
Bonn, Germany: The International Day of Peace, celebrated on 21 September, has a special significance in 2008. It marks both the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 60th anniversary of UN peacekeeping, which is why this year's Peace Day is themed 'Human Rights and Peacekeeping'. Visit site
Credit P. Harris/UNV
An asset for development: UNV and youth
12 August 2008
Bonn, Germany: International Youth Day signals the UN's commitment to youth as a significant asset for development. Volunteerism is an important channel for realizing the potential of youth, and UNV is at work worldwide to harness youth volunteerism. With UNV's help, youth are being nurtured for the future and giving back to their communities in the present. Visit site
More about: Youth

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