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.

International Volunteer Day 2014 has finally arrived! Make change happen, volunteer! This year, on this very special day, the United Nations Volunteers programme not only celebrates and recognizes volunteerism in all its facets, but pays special tribute to the participation of people in making change at all levels – locally, nationally and globally. For IVD 2014, please join us in acknowledging and enhancing people’s participation, engagement and voice, in shaping and implementing development policies and the world we want.

Since 1976 when the United Nations General Assembly formally engaged UNV in the inclusion of youth into development and peace building through volunteerism, UNV’s significance towards this goal has been growing ever stronger. The 2014-2017 Strategic Framework of the agency puts emphasis on youth and channels effort towards the UN Youth Volunteers Programme as a means of making consistent and tangible progress.

"Volunteering for post-2015" is about how volunteerism contributes to sustainable development and refers to the ongoing post-2015 process for the definition of the new global development framework. Listen to what volunteering means for people from different cultures through interviews made in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Guatemala, Nepal, Peru, and the Philippines, and find out why it is important for all of them. It probably is for you as well!

"Volunteering for post-2015" is about how volunteerism contributes to sustainable development and refers to the ongoing post-2015 process for the definition of the new global development framework. Listen to what volunteering means for people from different cultures through interviews made in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Guatemala, Nepal, Peru, and the Philippines, and find out why it is important for all of them. It probably is for you as well!

United Nations Volunteers, in partnership with different UN entities, supports the UN System efforts to shape the post-2015 agenda.

According to Marie-Josée Jacobs, Luxembourg's Minister for Family and Integration and Minister of Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs, once a young person becomes a volunteer, it changes their life and they remain engaged. Ms Jacobs was speaking at a press conference chaired jointly with UNV Executive Coordinator Flavia Pansieri at which a new Memorandum of Understanding between Luxembourg and UNV was signed.