09 November 2007

Bonn, Germany: The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme  has received an "Extraordinary Contributions Recognition Award" from the Cisco Networking Academy in recognition of UNV’s contributions to information and communications technology (ICT) training opportunities.

Cisco’s Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Ms. Amy Christen, said the award recognised UNV’s invaluable efforts to increase and improve the IT opportunities available to students in developing countries. "These efforts help students from underserved communities, especially women, build secure economic futures for themselves and their families while actively contributing to the integration of their countries into the global economy."

UNV Executive Coordinator Mr. Ad de Raad warmly welcomed the award.  “This is a credit not only to UNV but also to the efforts of many highly skilled people, particularly in developing countries and in the private sector, who have volunteered their time and expertise to develop local capacities and improve the delivery of important services such as education, information and communications”.

UNV volunteer Emmanuel Odemba has been working in Kenya since May 2006 creating opportunities for students in marginalized areas to benefit from the ICT courses provided by the Networking Academy.  One highlight of his work was the first graduation ceremony for an IT Essentials class conducted in Kibera, the largest slum in sub-Saharan Africa.  Twenty students graduated in IT Essentials 1 from the Kibera Academy, a very special day for the students.  Graduating student Isaac Muteti was thrilled, "With this course, I stand a better chance of getting a job.  This is the first time in my life that I have felt so nurtured and empowered."  

Cisco and United Nations Volunteers have had a strategic partnership since the year 2000.  Since then, a total of 100 UNV volunteers have been deployed in over 40 countries with the Cisco Networking Academy Program.  Currently, eight UNV volunteers are deployed in Kenya, Uganda, Russia, the Philippines, Peru, Cambodia, Nigeria and Colombia.