07 February 1997

New York, U.S.A.: Delia Buratto of France and Bhagwan Shrestha of Nepal have won the UNFPA/UNV Award for their outstanding work in population and development. UNFPA is the New York-based UN Population Fund, and UNV is the Bonn-based United Nations Volunteer programme.

The winners, who both served as UN Volunteers, each received today a certificate of appreciation and $2,500 to be donated to a population programme of their choice.

The certificates were presented to the two winners by UNV Executive Coordinator Brenda Gael McSweeney and UNFPA Executive Director Nafis Sadik at ceremonies at the United Nations headquarters. The award was part of a commemoration of UNV's 25th anniversary.

Delia Buratto won her award for work in Zimbabwe, where she helped introduce population education in schools and pioneered population studies and training in the country's university. She helped the government develop information and education projects and carry out research on the factors that influence population growth. And she improved cooperation in population work among UNFPA staff, government officials and other UN agency personnel. Bhagwan Shrestha won his award for his work with the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA). Travelling throughout the country, he trained the Association's staff, health professionals, educators and community leaders in information, education and communication. The GRPA Board and its executive director commended his contributions to GRPA and the nation in family planning, family-life education, sexual and reproductive health, counselling, community outreach work, community-based distribution of contraceptives and social and commercial marketing.

The United Nations Volunteers programme (UNV) was founded in 1970 by the UN General Assembly to foster development cooperation. Since then more than 14,000 men and women volunteers have served in UNV.

UNV reports to the Executive Board of the UN Development programme (UNDP) and works through UNDP’s Country Offices around the world. The programme is administered and partly funded by UNDP. The UNV Special Voluntary Fund allows launching of innovative volunteer approaches within the UN’s development, humanitarian and peacekeeping operations. Each year more than 4,000 volunteers serve the UNV programme; together they represent more than 120 nationalities and serve in some 134 countries. More than 20 per cent of all UNVs are involved closely in the communities they serve. UNV does not offer career opportunities as such: the main motivation of a UN volunteer is to be of service, in keeping with the spirit of volunteerism. UNV contracts are usually for two years, with shorter assignments for peace building, electoral or emergency relief operations. Professional experience is a pre-condition of service; virtually all UN volunteers hold degrees from technical institutions or universities and have several years of working experience.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) helps developing countries find solutions to their population problems. UNFPA began operations in 1969. It is the largest international source of population assistance. About a quarter of population assistance to developing countries is channelled through UNFPA, which works in 150 countries throughout the world.