Of all the UNV volunteers working within UN peacekeeping missions, the Information Technology (IT)  people are possibly the least celebrated. But without them, mission support might break down entirely. Read

Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire : As a UNV volunteer Training Officer for the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (ONUCI), I design, develop, coordinate and evaluate training and development courses and workshops for staff to meet mission and staff needs. Read

Kabul, Afghanistan: The support that I offer as a counsellor to UN staff in a sense mirrors the support that the wider UN system offers to the Afghan people; the UN supports, assists and empowers the Afghan people to make the best decisions for a healthy future. Inshallah, this healing and growth will continue for years to come, with a cup of tea in hand. Read

Bujumbura, Burundi: My short stint as UNV volunteer is probably my way to identify the areas where I could be a key player. 'Key player' does not mean the mission will depend on you all along; instead it just means putting something on the table. I just want to contribute but not to be celebrated as the hero – heroes are just in stories anyways. Read

N'Djamena, Chad: To be a volunteer means to be a forerunner, somebody who has the courage and takes the risk to provide services and support in very difficult circumstances... I have been part of transforming UN missions, communities and colleagues. Read

El Obeid, Sudan: It is a great pleasure being a UNV volunteer and contributing to peace in Sudan in the same way as those who volunteered to build peace in my own country. Read

UNV volunteer Political and Civil Affairs Officers are an interface between the UN peacekeeping missions to which they are assigned, and the country at large. The reports they produce help the local government and UN mission understand potential causes of violence. Read

Justice is a keystone in building sustainable peace and democracy. UNV volunteer Judicial Systems Monitors bring wide-ranging expertise and a hands-on attitude to countries where the rule of law must be restored: only then can peace and human rights be fully secured. Read

An army marches on its stomach, goes the saying, and an efficient supply chain is the backbone of any UN peacekeeping mission. Behind the scenes, UNV volunteers are making sure that the right people get the right equipment and everything is accounted for. Read

Without clean water, no UN peacekeeping mission would last longer than a few days. Since post-conflict countries often have disrupted and dysfunctional water supplies and limited stocks for peacekeepers, the contributions of UNV volunteer Water and Sanitation Engineers are vital. Read