Port-au-Prince, Haiti: Read

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: In the lead-up to Rio+20, UNV was actively involved with the Government of Brazil and UNDP in the training of 1,200 young volunteers for the Rio+20 Conference on Sustainable Development taking place from 20 to 22 June in Rio de Janeiro. Read

Livingstone, Zambia: A human rights presentation by Livingstone high school students and organized in part by a UN Volunteer, impresses UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon during his first visit to Zambia and encourages him about the country's future. Read

Tashkent, Uzbekistan: The Ecological Boomerang project is training volunteers on issues related to ecology, sustainability and environmental responsibility. This is only the first step towards the realization of a large project aiming to have a positive impact on the environment. Read

"Overall, my visit to Baltistan was incredible. The students and citizens of this region are full of hope for their futures, but are in need of technical support and resources to help them achieve this vision of excellence," explains Kate Anderson Simons, who has been supporting GRACE Association Pakistan as an online volunteer since 2007.

An education consultant focusing on children affected by poverty, armed conflict, and lack of educational opportunities, she hopes that "through continued collaboration, the GRACE staff, partners, and volunteers can make this vision a reality." Read

The International Day of Peace has been celebrated on 21 September since 1981.  Since 2001, this day has also been "devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples."

At this time, it is important to recognize the significant role played by UN Volunteers working for the achievement of sustainable peace and stability around the world.  UN Volunteers, including those in Liberia and Haiti, are among the many around the world marking Peace Day today. Read

São Paulo, Brazil: It is such an honour to be a UN Volunteer, serving in my own country, and seeing the positive impact that the Cisco Networking Academy ICTs educational programme is having. Read

Fushë Kosovë, Kosovo: I was moved by the every-day effort, patience and engagement of the volunteers who committed their time for this valuable initiative. Read

Pristina, Kosovo: UNV supported The Ideas Partnership, a local NGO, with text books and stationery for their catch-up classes to Roma children who are preparing for a test to register into formal schooling. Read

Bissau, Guinea-Bissau: After this amazing experience, I decided to return the warm reception with an activity that would make the children aware of their right to communicate, and in some way make them realize the importance of their active participation in the development of Guinea-Bissau. Read