Tokyo, Japan: Mr. Takehito Nakata, UNV Honorary Ambassador (retired) will this week receive the 'Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette', one of the highest decorations bestowed by the Japanese Government. Read

Today, United Nations Day and World Development Information Day, CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, the International Association for Volunteer Effort (IAVE) and the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme are pleased to launch a joint publication, Volunteering and Social Activism: Pathways for participation in human development.  The paper is based on a study undertaken by the three organisations in 2007-2008.   The background study finds that both volunteering and social activism are important strategies for fostering people’s participation in social change and human development. Read

New York, USA: A UN General Assembly committee has adopted a new UN resolution that calls on governments to mobilize support for volunteerism research and asks the UN system to integrate volunteerism into its programmes. Read

Nairobi, Kenya: Neighbourhood volunteers supported by UNV and the UN's Peacebuilding Fund are fostering coexistence after the ethnic violence that gripped Kenya earlier this year. Sixth months on from the peace agreement, a 'Peace Day' was held to recognize their achievements. Read

Glasgow, UK: The Civicus 2008 World Assembly took place from 18-21 June in Scotland, with contributions and speeches from the UNV delegation. Read

Lilongwe, Malawi: For the past few weeks, UNV volunteer Laura Collins can not help but notice the "Stop Child Abuse" stickers posted in the main town square of the capital Lilongwe. The campaign aims to break the silence around child abuse and convince leaders to commit to prevent and respond to violence, exploitation and abuse against children – including commercial sexual exploitation, trafficking, child labour and harmful traditional practices, such as early marriages. Read

Johannesburg, South Africa: The indispensable role of volunteers in helping countries achieve the Millennium Development Goals is to be explored in a new co-publication by the CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, United Nations Volunteers (UNV) and the International Association for Volunteer Effort (IAVE). Read

Cairo, Egypt: The 8 boats participating in a ‘Sailing the Nile’ campaign reached their final destination in Cairo last Thursday. The fleet had sailed down the Nile with stops in eight Egyptian towns to promote the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and MDG projects involving volunteerism. Read

Bonn, Germany: Every day, countless citizens volunteer their time, energy and skills in response to crises or people in need. International Volunteer Day (IVD) was instituted to make visible and recognize the contribution of these unknown heroes, who, by their engagement, bring their countries one step closer to the Millennium Development Goals. Read

Turin, Italy: Beyond the 17 days of sports and athletic glory, the Torino Winter Olympics is serving as a platform to highlight the role of volunteers in not only the Olympic Games but in other areas of society. Read