UN-backed volunteer contingent deployed at Earth Summit. Read

"I am grateful for the opportunity to speak to you, on behalf of UNV, the United Nations Volunteer programme. Time is short, so let's get to the heart of the matter." Read

Johannesburg, South Africa: Delegates to the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) have directed their attention to the three recognized cornerstones of sustainable development: economic growth, environmental protection and social development. In a statement at the WSSD, the head of the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) has proposed a fourth cornerstone to empower and stabilize development strategies: voluntary action. Read

Johannesburg, South Africa: Panellists taking part in a side event on community involvement and volunteering at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) have urged governments to increase cooperation with voluntary organizations in a bid to improve chances for a cleaner, safer and more prosperous world. Read

Johannesburg, South Africa: The United Nations Volunteers programme (UNV) has joined forces with the Johannesburg World Summit Company (JOWSCO) to mobilize and train 5,000 volunteers to assist with virtually every aspect of planning and logistics at the World Summit on Sustainable Development, which will be held from 26 August to 4 September. Read

Bonn, Germany: Volunteers are adding their voices to fervent calls for increased efforts to bring sustainable development and revitalized economic activity to the African continent. As the Group of Eight (G8) leaders prepared to tackle challenges raised by the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD), such as steps to reduce poverty and corruption as well as to increase investment and debt relief, a group of Southern Africans took a parallel track and appealed for pro-volunteer policies and legislation. Read

Midrand, South Africa: Volunteers from Southern African countries gathered for two days, from 16 to 17 May, to consolidate a network of organizations established during the International Year of Volunteers (IYV) 2001. The conference gathered participants from seven Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries to explore ways to strengthen cooperation and to prepare for volunteer discussion at the upcoming African Union Head of State and Government meeting, this July, and the World Summit for Sustainable Development (Rio +10), this August in Johannesburg. Read

BONN: A United Nations International Short-Term Advisory Resources (UNISTAR) adviser made two trips to the region in 1999 to support the Government in developing plans to invest profits from oil for vocational training and environmental protection. The adviser also worked with his longer-term UNV colleagues to design a workplan for the Atyrau Sustainable Development Centre, which promotes community participation in health and social services. Read

BONN: A workshop in South Africa outlines security measures for UNVs in crisis situations. Read

Bonn, Germany: "Being a UNV means being part of a team", said UNV Heather Branton during the launch of the "Capacity Building of SASVO" project at Pretoria University, South Africa. Read