UNV commissioned this global research study to provide a picture of trends and lessons in the development of supportive volunteerism policies and legislation in the decade of volunteering from 2001. A review was conducted in seven regions, complemented by country-specific case studies in each region. The study analyses considerations in drafting and implementing volunteerism laws and policies, and highlights the need to tailor them to specific local, national and regional contexts.  This paper is currently being updated for the 2018 State of the World's Volunteerism Report.

To mark International Youth Day, India launches with the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) its first national online volunteering platform, a first of its kind in India and for UNV. The platform serves as a marketplace for non-profit organizations and volunteers to connect, allowing youth networks, volunteer involving organizations, civil society organizations, public institutions and State governments to get support from online volunteers completely free of charge.

The Prime Minister spoke enthusiastically about his clear commitment to create a spirit of volunteerism for the promotion of development activities in Mali and "to contribute in solving the social, economic, cultural and environmental problems in order to build a more just and prosperous society." In fact, the Malian Prime Minister sees volunteerism as "a strategy for implementing the government's projects and programmes in a spirit of participation based on the need for the socio-economic growth of communities.

International Volunteer Day 2016’s theme #GlobalApplause – give volunteers a hand, recognizes volunteers worldwide and all they do in making peace and sustainable development a reality.

The Day’s theme for 2016 is “The Sustainable Development Goals: Building Blocks for Peace.” In the last 25 years, UN Volunteers have served in more than 50 UN missions in over 30 countries, supporting peace processes in war-torn societies and countries in complex political transition around the world. UN Volunteers help rebuild the social fabric in post-conflict communities, raise awareness on human rights, accompany the victims of violence in seeking justice, and support the healing process. 

The Day’s theme for 2016 is “The Sustainable Development Goals: Building Blocks for Peace.” In the last 25 years, UN Volunteers have served in more than 50 UN missions in over 30 countries, supporting peace processes in war-torn societies and countries in complex political transition around the world. UN Volunteers help rebuild the social fabric in post-conflict communities, raise awareness on human rights, accompany the victims of violence in seeking justice, and support the healing process. 

Research shows that millions of young people around the world are ready and willing to provide leadership and inspiration in global peace and development, yet they face vulnerabilities and challenges. United Nations Volunteers (UNV), the UN organization that contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide, has established a programme for young volunteers. Through this programme, UNV mobilizes thousands of young volunteers to support the work of the United Nations around the world.

On IVD 2015 we challenge everyone to think about how they can make a difference in implementing the Global Goals. In this year’s IVD campaign you will see questions such as “Are you part of the change?”, “Will you take the challenge?“ “Are you ready?” and you, as UN Volunteers and volunteers worldwide, will have the answers, as thousand of individuals show how their volunteering is making a contribution, bringing to light that volunteering is invaluable in making the world a better place.

One the occasion of International Women's Day, the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme would like to encourage women to apply to international UN Volunteer assignments.  Please visit our website for more information: www.unv.org

The UNV Communications’ mission is to enhance communication about the value of volunteerism in peace and development and the importance on the contributions that UNV and UN Volunteers make to the impact on the results of the United Nations. The purpose of this new Communications Strategy is to guide communications on volunteerism for peace and development and safe-guard the organizational reputation of UNV programme; while adding value in the achievement of the main outcomes and results area of the UNV Strategic Framework 2014-2017.