Beijing, China: Total and UNDP will engage four Chinese national UNV volunteers, who will provide targeted technical assistance and build the outreach capacity of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working with vulnerable groups such as those with HIV/AIDS. Read

Uralsk, Kazakhstan: Yuko Kamo Shell Coporate volunteer has travelled to the steppe in Kazakhstan to help with the development of internet projects. Read

Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago: Life is full of surprises and contradictions, says UNV volunteer Fabio Balboni. While working in Trinidad and Tobago as a UNV Specialist on corporate social responsibility, he learned that business and volunteerism actually go hand-in-hand. Read

Antananarivo, Madagascar: For seven consecutive years, Kraft Foods has been partnering with the UN Volunteers (UNV) Corporate/Private Sector programme for two-week corporate volunteer assignments. One of the missions this year requested support for a small jam-making factory called IRAY (IRAY), located in Antananarivo, Madagascar. Read

Cotonou, Benin: Beninese women engaged in food production recently received skills training to boost their income as part of the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme’s Corporate/Private Sector initiative. Read

Ho, Ghana: In the small villages of the Volta region, opportunities for selling produce to urban markets are minimal. The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), with the involvement of three national UN Volunteers, is working to improve access to these markets and enhance the livelihoods of village residents. Read

Hanoi, Viet Nam: Learning English and Information Technology (IT) skills are on the agenda for a group of Vietnamese women participating in an employment training initiative launched today in the Viet Nam capital. Read

Ha Noi, Viet Nam: When I visited the UNV stand at the Shell Project Better World (PBW) Lustrum event (or 5-year anniversary) in early 2004, I didn’t expect that within 12 months, I would be the first Shell corporate volunteer working on assignment with UNV. Read

Bonn, Germany: Members of Emirates Airline’s frequent flyer loyalty scheme, Skywards, can now donate their Miles to fly UN Volunteers to assist relief efforts in the countries affected by the 26 December tsunamis. Read

Quito, Ecuador: Two years ago, it was extremely difficult for entrepreneurs to succeed in Ecuador. The establishment of a Business Development Agency (BDA), UNDP / UNV Ecuador were able to change this unfortunate situation. Read