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

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

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

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

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

Bonn, Germany: It is increasingly apparent that volunteerism and volunteers are critical to preserving the environment and building a sustainable future for the planet. Volunteers with UNV, UN partners and in communities around the world are making a difference; protecting wildlife and habitats, fighting desertification and promoting environmental awareness. Visit site

Bonn, Germany: The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that today there are 37 million such people worldwide: 11 million outside their own countries and 26 million displaced within them. In partnership with UNHCR and other UN agencies, UNV volunteers are often at the forefront of the response. In 2007, there were 958 UNV volunteers assigned to UNHCR, making it one of our biggest partners. Visit site

Bonn, Germany: All around the world, UNV volunteers are making immense contributions in response to the global food crisis and to improve health and nutrition in the long term. UNV volunteers are posted at country and field offices with UN agencies such as the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), playing a meaningful role in day-to-day activities in spite of the risks this sometimes entails. These volunteers serve as bridges for the connection of communities, regions and countries. Visit site

Bonn, Germany: UNV volunteers are vital to collective peacekeeping and peace building efforts around the globe. They represent 30 percent of international civilian personnel in UN peacekeeping and special political missions, working for lasting peace and stability where there is political insecurity or a legacy of conflict. Here are some of their stories. Visit site