Kiev, Ukraine: Building civil society in the former Eastern bloc countries presents some unique challenges. Along with local partners, UNV and UNDP are working together to boost the role of volunteerism there. Read

Almaty, Kazakhstan: Early results of a survey by United Nations Volunteers in Kazakhstan suggest that the concept of volunteerism is evolving in the country, and can be an effective tool for civil society development. Read

There were four of us, UNV Interns, at the Sub-Regional Retreat organized in the summer of 2007 by the UNV country offices in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. We had a retreat recently, and it was a wonderful experience. We had the possibility to get to know the realities in these three countries, to bond and feel like ONE Central Asia Team and to enjoy the glorious scenario of Issyk-Kul lake, in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan.

For us, it was the perfect occasion to share our feelings and experiences and to compare how each succeeded in adapting to a completely new working and living reality. We discussed similarities and differences of the three Central Asian countries and compared our UNV experiences, which we found very different among each other, though  equally challenging and important in the personal growth of all of us. Read

Uralsk, Kazakhstan: Yuko Kamo Shell Coporate volunteer has travelled to the steppe in Kazakhstan to help with the development of internet projects. Read

Volker Pabst of Switzerland is a UNV volunteer human rights specialist with the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in Kazakhstan. Read

Bonn, Germany: As the United Nations commemorates the third International Day of UN Peacekeepers on 29 May, paying tribute to those who serve in peacekeeping operations, United Nations Volunteers (UNV) are also being honoured for their dedication and courage in helping improve the lives of millions of people in war-torn and post-conflict countries across the globe. Read

Bonn, Germany: Like an infant, a business needs nurturing for a healthy, safe start. And at the Sodbi Business Incubator in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, fledgling entrepreneurs learn everything they always wanted to know about setting up shop. Read

Astana, Kazakhstan: Artashes Melikyan, an Armenian, has been based in Kazakhstan for the past three years as a UN Volunteer and human rights specialist. He is part of a global network of 17 UN Volunteers under the Human Rights Strengthening Programme (HURIST), a joint initiative of UNDP and Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to mainstream human rights into the development programming of UN agencies and civil society organizations. Read

Almaty, Kazakhstan: Ms Gulnara Kusherbaeva set up her own women's NGO and works on a voluntary basis to support the growth of a women's movement in Kazakhstan. She organizes many activities which promote awareness of women's issues and build the confidence and ability of women to advance themselves. Read

Almaty, Kazakhstan: Mr Aoued Sebaa, an Algerian-Russian International UN Volunteer, is currently working as a Field Protection Officer for UNHCR in Kazakhstan. He first became a UN Volunteer in the late 1980s, working on the Afghan border. Read