The World Day of Social Justice on 20 February is an opportunity to bring attention to the barriers to social well-being that people face due to gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture or disability.  This Day serves to support efforts in poverty eradication, the promotion of full employment, gender equity and justice for all. UNV recognizes the efforts of all those who are working to advance social justice. Visit site

Human Rights Day is marked on 10 December and is a chance to pay tribute to all human rights defenders. It also marks the end of the 16 days of activism campaign, running from 25 November to 10 December, calling for the elimination of violence against women. UNV recognizes the efforts of the OHCHR and other partners working to achieve human rights for all. Visit site

On International Volunteer Day (IVD), we recognize and celebrate the work of millions of people who volunteer every day to advance sustainable development and peace around the world. Read

World AIDS Day is marked on 1 December each year and is an opportunity to unite people worldwide in the fight against HIV/AIDS, showing support for people living with HIV/AIDS, and commemorating those who have died.  Voluntary action is an integral part of the fight against HIV/AIDS.

UNV applies people-centred approaches in its collaboration with UNAIDS, UNDP, NGOs, community-based organizations, volunteer involving organizations, networks of people living with HIV/AIDS and national HIV/AIDS programmes. Visit site

Universal Children’s Day is celebrated each year to promote the well-being of children. UNICEF is a proponent of children’s rights and provides humanitarian and development assistance to children and mothers in developing countries. Voluntary action is fundamental to UNICEF in achieving its objectives. Visit site

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

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

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

'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

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